Do you often get a sore neck? Your cell phone could be to blame. Frequently looking down at your phone, to text or use the internet can place significant strain on your spine. A new study has shown it can be the equivalent of placing a 60 pound weight on your neck! 60 pounds is the weight of the average 8 year old child. These figures were calculated by Kenneth Hansraj, a New York back surgeon and published in the journal Surgical Technology International. According to Dr Hansraj, "As the head tilts forward the forces seen by the neck surges to 27 pounds at 15 degrees, 40 pounds at 30 degrees, 49 pounds at 45 degrees and 60 pounds at 60 degrees.” If you look down at your phone many times per day, the pressure accumulates and can leave you feeling quite sore. A temporarily sore neck isn’t the only risk though; to quote Dr Hansraj, if you keep this up for years, it “may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries”. Degeneration of the cervical spine is very common in individuals in their 50s, often brought about by work related neck strain. Heavy use of cell phones could hasten the development of spinal problems and increase their severity. Try to pay attention to how often you look down at your phone throughout the day. Try raising your phone so your neck doesn’t have to tilt at such an angle. It’s also beneficial to do some stretches for your neck and shoulders each day, to relieve pressure.   Reference