"It is important for everyone to be aware of their posture and to take steps to prevent future spinal problems by keeping their heads up as much as possible,” stated Dr. Gravori.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 09, 2015
According to a recent article in the Washington Post, technology is leading to a new type of spinal condition: “text neck.” Text neck, or technology neck as it is also called, is caused when people spend too much time looking down at their phones or tablets, thus causing strain on the neck that leads to problems, such as pinched nerves, herniated discs, headaches, and neurological issues. Dr. Todd Gravori, a board-certified neurosurgeon and director of landmark spine surgery practice ProMedSPINE, comments on text neck and what it means for today’s technology-obsessed society.
“When a person spends a long time looking down, that places enormous strain on the neck,” explained Dr. Gravori. “The spine isn’t meant to support the head at such an angle, and doing so for long periods of time can lead to cervical spine problems that may become serious over time.”
Too much pressure on the neck can lead to early spinal degeneration, herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other problems. This, in turn, can lead to significant back and neck pain, as well as possible distortions in the natural curve of the spine. Teenagers are especially at risk for these problems, as they statistically spend the most time looking at their smartphones. This could then lead to spinal care being needed at earlier ages than ever before.
“Spinal degeneration and herniated discs occur most often as a result of wear and tear on the spine over the years,” said Dr. Gravori. “Younger people may end up needing serious spinal care due to constant looking down at their smartphones, tablets, and computers, which wears out the spine more quickly.”
Luckily, nowadays, there are many minimally invasive treatments for all kinds of spinal problems which allow patients to recover quickly and successfully. However, spinal surgery should always be a last resort. Being aware of how often one looks down at their phone during the day and making a conscious effort to correct one’s posture can help to avoid needing invasive spine treatments and improve neck and back pain as well.
“It is important for everyone to be aware of their posture and to take steps to prevent future spinal problems by keeping their heads up as much as possible,” stated Dr. Gravori. “If you catch yourself looking down at your phone for long periods of time, be sure to correct your posture immediately. While effective treatments do exist for cervical spine problems, the best thing to do is prevent these problems in the first place.”
About ProMedSPINE
Based in Los Angeles, Todd Gravori, MD, FACS, QME is a board-certified spinal and neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of back, neck, and spinal conditions via minimally invasive procedures. From each of his five boutique locations, Dr. Gravori offers comprehensive treatment including diagnosis, education, treatment, surgery, and aftercare. Dr. Gravori offers treatment for herniated discs, spinal instability, spinal deformity, spine tumors, brain tumors, meningioma, hematomas, cavernous malformations, and carpel tunnel. Unlike large hospitals, Dr. Gravori’s unique outpatient structure offers personalized care in a safe and controlled environment. To learn more about Dr. Gravori and his high-end outpatient facilities, visit the new website at http://www.ProMedSpine.com.