Why the “neck of technology” is bad for your health – in addition, exercises and advice to beat it
5 “technology collar” exercises to soothe pain
Here are some easy stretching to help prevent and treat the “neck of technology”. A Knauf reminder: you shouldn’t have pain when you stretch. If you are stretching the neck or posture and your symptoms aggravate or if you feel new pain, stop and consult your doctor.
For stretching, aim to do 10 times, one to three times a day, Stephenson and Knauf recommend.
1. Chin Tucks
Take hold or sit down with your right spine. Draw your head directly back as if you were making a double Chin. In this position, you compensate for the effects of the constant thrust of your head (as you can do while looking at a screen), says Knauf. Make sure you don’t tilt your head back when you do this, he advises; Keep the nestled chin, but still parallel to the ground. Hold for five seconds, free up. Then repeat.
2.
Place your right hand flat against the right side of your head, says Knauf. Try tilt your head to your right shoulder while pushing against your hand. Hold on for five seconds, relax slowly and repeat on the other side.
3. ‘Flexible from the hands to the forehead’
This is another Knauf favorite stretch: place both hands on your forehead, and while keeping your chin parallel to the ground, try to push your head forward while pushing your head with your hands. Hold on for five seconds and repeat.
4. Snake installation
Lie on the ground on your belly, your head looking down. Lift your head and upper ground with a single minimum support from your hands, says Stephenson. Hold on for 15 to 30 seconds. It stretches the back and the neck in the opposite position to that which causes the “technological neck”, thus helping to counter the imbalance.
5. The super (wo) man
Lie on your stomach and lift your right arm and your left leg alternately, then the left arm and the right leg, from the ground, Stephenson directs. Hold a second or two, lower and repeat.
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