{"id":17120,"date":"2025-03-13T20:45:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmpi-pimt.com\/?p=17120"},"modified":"2025-03-17T21:43:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T20:43:43","slug":"does-the-mobile-phone-cause-neck-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmpi-pimt.com\/en\/does-the-mobile-phone-cause-neck-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the mobile phone cause neck pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about this epidemic and how to prevent it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, that\u2019s right!<\/p>\n

Not only do adults experience cervical pain<\/p>\n

Cervical pain in children and adolescents is an evident and unfortunately growing issue.<\/p>\n

Various studies are linking an increase in the incidence of neck and headache pain in children and adolescents to the use of mobile devices.<\/p>\n

Neck pain is the 8th leading cause of disability in individuals between the ages of 15 and 19. Of course, it is more prevalent among adolescents with other pathologies, such as respiratory issues.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible that the relationship with mobile or cell phone use is greater than with computers or laptops, and this is related to neck position. Observe people at a bus stop or on the subway with their phone.<\/p>\n

What position is the neck in?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a strong forward flexion, with the phone close to the body. This creates significant mechanical stress on the neck, especially if maintained over time. In this situation, it is possible that an eccentric tension on the cervical muscles is irritating the attachments to the spine and skull. We could also think about an increase in neuro-meningeal tension. To reduce tension on the nerve roots, it would be normal to find the shoulders somewhat elevated.<\/p>\n

The time aspect is also key. It is believed that many children and adolescents spend up to 4 hours daily using their devices. This means that the neck position multiplied by the time spent results in a pretty troublesome combination (a term from deep Spain).<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a hidden component.<\/p>\n

What do you think it is?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s vision and oculomotor function. In this neck position, the eyes can\u2019t move easily. Don\u2019t forget that we have strong influences of cervical proprioception on oculomotor function (Campbell et al., 2023). This has been very clearly observed in people with whiplash (Bexander & Hodges, 2012).<\/p>\n

This is why in TMPI, we always include oculomotor evaluation alongside cervical evaluation. Essentially, it\u2019s not enough to treat the neck. This is the essence of the course “Physiotherapy in the Cervico-Ocular Multisystem” by I\u00f1aki Pastor and Lucila To.<\/p>\n

So, what do we do with all this?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some key points:<\/p>\n