Tech Neck: The Modern Posture Problem and How Chiropractic Care Can Help
If your neck or upper back feels tight after scrolling on your phone or sitting at your computer, you’re not alone. “Tech neck” is becoming one of the most common spinal issues we see and it’s showing up in younger patients than ever before!
At Simply Well Chiropractic in Livonia, we help families understand how posture and spinal alignment affect the body’s overall function, and how gentle chiropractic care can bring relief.
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech neck (also called forward-head posture) happens when we spend long hours looking down at phones, tablets, or computers. Over time, the head shifts forward from its natural position over the shoulders, adding stress to the cervical spine.
Your head weighs about 10–12 pounds in neutral posture, but research shows that for every inch it moves forward, that load can increase by 10 pounds or more.¹ Imagine your neck supporting 40–50 pounds all day.
How This Affects the Spine and Nerves
The cervical spine protects the nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. When it’s under constant tension from poor posture, discs can compress, muscles tighten, and nerve irritation can develop. This may lead to:
Neck and shoulder pain
Headaches or tension behind the eyes
Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands
Stiffness and fatigue from holding the head forward
A 2020 systematic review confirmed that adults with forward-head posture experience significantly higher neck-pain intensity and disability than those with normal posture.² Another biomechanical study found that as the head moves forward, intradiscal pressure and spinal loading increase, which can accelerate wear and tear on the neck joints.³
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic adjustments restore healthy motion and alignment to the cervical spine, which relieves pressure on joints and nerves.
By correcting these small misalignments, we can:
Reduce tension in neck and shoulder muscles
Improve spinal mechanics to prevent further strain
Relieve nerve pressure that causes pain or tingling
Promote better posture awareness and long-term comfort
A 2021 clinical trial showed that manual therapy at the cervicothoracic junction significantly improved forward-head posture and neck mobility, supporting chiropractic’s role in posture correction.⁴
At Simply Well, we often combine gentle adjustments with simple posture exercises and ergonomic guidance, helping your body learn new movement patterns and hold its alignment longer.
Simple Daily Tips for Tech Neck Relief
Raise your screen to eye level whenever possible.
Take posture breaks every 30 minutes, roll your shoulders, stretch your chest, and move.
Strengthen your upper back with rows, wall angels, and chin-tuck exercises.
Stay hydrated! discs need water to stay healthy and flexible.
Schedule regular chiropractic visits to keep your spine aligned and your nervous system functioning at its best.
The Takeaway
Tech neck isn’t just a modern annoyance, it’s a structural problem that affects your spine, your posture, and even your nervous system function. The good news is, it’s reversible with awareness, movement, and consistent chiropractic care.
Study References
Hansraj KK. Assessment of Stresses in the Cervical Spine Caused by Posture and Position of the Head. Surgical Technology International (2014).
Mahmoud NF et al. The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain. Physical Therapy in Sport (2020).
Wang W et al. Biomechanical Analysis of Cervical Spine Disc Loading Under Forward Head Posture. Journal of Healthcare Engineering (2022).
Al-Mutairi A et al. Effectiveness of Manual Therapy at the Cervicothoracic Junction in FHP. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (2021).