Text Neck Is Real: How Your Phone Is Affecting Your Spine

Most people in Lethbridge spend hours each day looking down at a screen. A phone, a tablet, or a laptop on a low desk. It feels harmless. But the position your neck holds while you look down, with your head tilted forward, and your chin dropped toward your chest, can increase the load on the cervical spine. Over time, this type of repetitive strain is often referred to as “text neck.”

What Text Neck May Do to Your Spine

The neck has a natural forward curve that helps distribute the weight of your head. When you spend long periods looking down at a screen, that curve may begin to change. In some cases, imaging may show a reduced or altered curve, which can be associated with ongoing postural strain. These changes tend to develop gradually rather than from a single event.

Who It Affects Most and What to Watch For

Text neck can affect all age groups, but Dr. Brad Parascak often keeps a close eye on younger patients. “The young patients growing into adulthood are the ones I think about most,” he says. “Their spines are still developing, and the patterns they build now can influence how they move later on.” Adults can experience similar patterns, especially with prolonged screen use throughout the day.

Chiropractic Care & Other Ways to Support Your Neck

Chiropractic care focuses on supporting how the spine and joints move. For people experiencing postural strain, care may help improve mobility, support more balanced movement, and address areas of tension. The goal is to work with your body before patterns become more difficult to change.

One of the simplest changes you can make is bringing your device up to eye level. Looking forward, rather than down, helps keep your head in a more neutral position and may reduce strain on your neck. Sitting upright while using your phone or tablet can further support this.