Beyond Neck Pain: How Your Smartphone Is Affecting Your Heart, Eyes, and Nervous System

Your smartphone has become essential to daily life, but the physical toll it's taking on your body most likely goes far beyond the occasional stiff neck. As your local chiropractor in Ashburn and Herndon, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn sees an awful lot of tech-related issues, and the newest research shows the issue 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 posture 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 moved forward into "text neck" position, it sets up compression in your upper cervical spine, interfering with proper nerve signaling and activating 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. Weird 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 show 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 forces your neck forward more than 30 degrees, compared to about 26 degrees when watching videos. People who use phones more heavily develop even more extreme flexion angles—a downward spiral affecting spinal alignment with every text.

THE REAL RISK FACTORS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

Surprisingly, a year-long study revealed that how much you bend your neck while using your phone wasn't the main cause of neck pain. (4) Instead, poor sleep quality and lack of physical activity were the real culprits instigating neck pain. The lifestyle factors that come with heavy phone use—disrupted sleep and sedentary behavior—may instigate even more musculoskeletal damage.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn FOR YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ACTION PLAN

This research reinforces our healthcare approach at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn. Regular chiropractic adjustments uphold proper cervical alignment and nervous system function, but you also need quality sleep and physical activity. When using your phone, bring it closer to eye level, particularly when typing, and take frequent breaks.

Your nervous system controls everything. When smartphone habits impede your spinal health, the effects travel. Maintaining proper spinal alignment via 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 talks about 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 Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment today.