Beyond Neck Pain: How Your Smartphone Is Affecting Your Heart, Eyes, and Nervous System
That device in your hand right now? It's quietly impacting your heart, eyes, sleep, and nervous system in ways you never expected. As your local chiropractor in Manchester, Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries sees an epidemic of tech-related issues, and the newest research reveals the problem runs deeper than you might think. It's not always "just' neck pain. Our gentle spinal manipulation treatment can help!
YOUR SPINE AFFECTS YOUR HEART
Here's something that might catch you off guard: that forward head position we're always talking about isn't just about neck pain. New studies show it's directly impacting your autonomic nervous system—the part managing your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress response. (1) When your head shifts forward into "text neck" position, it creates compression in your upper cervical spine, interfering with proper nerve signaling and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. Your body stays in fight-or-flight mode, raising heart rate and blood pressure—all from looking down at your phone. Crazy to think about, but you are not the only one feeling these effects!
THE SPINE-EYE CONNECTION YOU NEED TO KNOW
Researchers are now describing "cervical oculopathy"—where neck misalignments trigger vision problems ranging from blurry vision, eye pain, dry eyes, to even contributing conditions like glaucoma. (2) When your cervical spine is misaligned, it can compress blood vessels and nerves supplying your eyes. Studies found that patients with chronic, unexplained visual symptoms often present with significant cervical spine issues and compressed jugular veins, impairing drainage from the brain and eyes.
WHY DIFFICULT TASKS MAKE EVERYTHING WORSE
Research measuring actual neck angles during smartphone use found that complex tasks worsen your posture. (3) Typing creates neck flexion angles exceeding 30 degrees while watching videos averages around 26 degrees. People who use phones more heavily develop even more intense flexion angles—a downward spiral impacting spinal alignment with every text.
THE REAL RISK FACTORS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
The research findings may shock you: neck angle during phone use turned out not to be the biggest risk factor for pain. (4) Instead, poor sleep quality and lack of physical activity were the real culprits instigating neck pain. The lifestyle factors surrounding heavy phone use—disrupted sleep and sedentary behavior—may instigate even more musculoskeletal damage.
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries FOR YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ACTION PLAN
This research reinforces our healthcare approach at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries. Regular chiropractic adjustments uphold proper cervical alignment and nervous system function, but you also need good sleep and physical activity. When using your phone, bring it closer to eye level, especially when typing, and take breaks often.
Your nervous system controls everything. When smartphone habits impede your spinal health, the effects ripple outward. Keeping proper spinal alignment with regular chiropractic care may well protect your heart, eyes, sleep, and overall nervous system function for the long haul.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the interaction of the nervous system and vagus nerve and the role The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management may have for chiropractic patients seeking pain relief.
Make your Manchester chiropractic appointment soon.
