Raising 'tech neck' awareness this Spinal Health Week

To coincide with this year’s Spinal Health Week, 26 May–1 June, the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has released new data revealing Tension Neck Syndrome, commonly known as ‘tech neck’ or ‘text neck’. Described by ACA as a significant public health concern due to the overuse or misuse of technology — with Australian women most susceptible to the debilitating condition — the data is drawn from survey research conducted by Pureprofile.

“The survey revealed women are the primary sufferers of neck pain in every age bracket, except 51–60, with women aged 31-40 (73%) the most affected, reflecting a life-long, daily exposure to tech,” ACA President Dr Billy Chow said. “The survey also revealed that women were more affected by device-related neck pain across all types of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and game consoles, and are experiencing a higher prevalence of neck pain than men for each length of timeframe used.”

Overall, the survey found that 64% of Australians reported experiencing neck pain (68% of women versus 60% of men), which ACA said is much higher than the official statistic of one-in-five; with 70% of neck pain sufferers reporting neck pain impeding their movement or day-to-day activities. Chow said the data revealed neck pain as “a widespread, increasingly gendered issue in Australia”, also noting that “of concern” was that “38% of neck pain sufferers did not consult a healthcare practitioner, and only 29% sought a formal diagnosis.

“Instead,” Chow continued, “78% of neck pain sufferers used over-the-counter pain relief and 47% relied on prescription medication. While more men preferred taking tablets, women used them more frequently with men 26% more likely to use prescription medication for their neck pain.” The survey also revealed that only 36% of neck pain sufferers were aware that their neck pain was linked to device use, making it “imperative”, Chow said, to adjust thinking on how technology is used, how often it is used, and the way it is used to prevent users developing tech neck.

ACA explained that studies show commencing treatment for tech neck promptly is crucial in preventing further functional decline and progression to a chronic condition, and that opioids do not benefit people with acute neck or back pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and have no positive role in treatment — while proper posture, regular breaks and correct ergonomics, the survey suggests, significantly reduced neck pain prevalence, with incorrect and non-ergonomic use of computers also a primary cause of tech neck.