What is Tech Neck?

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Tech neck, also known as cervical kyphosis, is an abnormal forward curvature of the neck. This loss of the natural lordotic curve of the neck results in excessive strain on the neck and spine and can lead to symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. Additionally, tech neck can also cause aesthetic concerns such as the presence of neck sagging, loss of jawline definition, and double chin.

The main cause of tech neck is prolonged and excessive forward tilting of the head while using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Increased screen time, poor ergonomics, and heavy devices can exacerbate the problem. Degenerative disc disease and trauma or injury can also contribute to tech neck.

Short-term implications of tech neck include musculoskeletal pain that can interfere with daily activities and decrease productivity in the workforce. Long-term effects of tech-neck include neck pain (cervical radiculopathy) and permanent contour deformity. Prevention strategies include using laptop stands, stretching, maintaining good posture, and performing stretching exercises to relieve neck tension.

One particularly helpful strategy is the 20-20-20 method, which includes taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes and looking at something 20 feet away when using devices. Decreasing overall screen time can also prevent the development of tech neck.

Once tech neck has already developed, the mainstay of treatment is surgery. Spinal surgeons should be consulted for bony deformities and mobility concerns. To treat the aesthetic concerns associated with tech neck, board-certified plastic surgeons can perform neck lift surgery (platysmaplasty).

In younger patients with mild to moderate symptoms of neck muscle visiblity, Botox can be utilized to improve neck appearance. Additionally, massage and physical therapy alleviate neck pain and tension.

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