Dr Soni said: “Some people are after a quick fix. But I only give one or two jabs and then recommend they see a physiotherapist, or take up yoga or Pilates, to improve their mobility and posture.”
Dr Rowland Payne and Zoe Barley, a medical student from King’s College London, presented new research on the rise of “tech neck” at the first-ever meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine’s section of aesthetic medicine and surgery, held recently in London.
It showed that in an upright position, the human head weighs 5kg. That’s the load placed on the upper part of the spine.
But at a 30-degree angle, the force increases to 18kg.
And at 45 degrees – the angle many smartphone users position their heads at – it jumps to 22kg.
Risks on children
In a report on the research, Ms Barley said: “This is the equivalent of a seven-year-old child draped around the neck. And now the problem is shifting more towards children.
“Digital devices are used widely in schools now and do have obvious educational benefits but many teachers may be unaware of the risks for these children later in life.”
The research showed young children and teenagers between eight and 18 spend an average of 3.75 hours a day glued to their smartphones alone.
Adults are on them for even longer – an average of more than five hours a day.
Doctors say they are beginning to see a greater number of cases where children are suffering tension headaches, torticollis – where neck muscle spasms tilt the head to one side – and impaired mobility, due to bending their head to scroll on their phones.
Previous studies have shown that up to 48 per cent of workers in the UK have neck problems at least partly related to the use of digital devices.
Prevention measures
Simple prevention measures include holding smartphones at eye level as much as possible and ensuring computers at work and school are also raised so the head is upright.
Dr Rowland Payne said: “Children should also be playing outside and not on their phones all the time.
“And anyone who is using their phone should sit up straight and try and hold out up in front of the face to ease the strain on their neck.”
