Understanding Back Discomfort and ‘Text Neck’
Meet a 34-year-old Hispanic male, standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall. He indulges in occasional social drinking and has stayed away from cigarettes for over a decade. For the past year, he has been using Skyrizi to manage his psoriasis but otherwise doesn't take any medication. For the last 18 to 24 months, he has experienced a general feeling of discomfort in his back, which he describes more as soreness than actual pain. This discomfort permeates his lower, mid, and upper back. Despite being advised to pursue physical therapy over a year ago, he struggled with life’s demands and didn’t follow through. He remains active, regularly cycling, skateboarding, drumming, and hiking. Additionally, he invested in a new mattress and adjustable bed frame last year. Some mornings, he wakes up feeling nearly pain-free, while on other days, he faces significant soreness. However, it has never hindered his ability to walk or make it uncomfortable to rise from bed, and there seems to be no clear pattern to the discomfort. Recently, about two weeks prior, he started noticing tightness in his shoulders accompanied by a sore neck, which has triggered tension headaches at the back of his cranium. When this situation did not improve, he decided to consult his physician. Meanwhile, he started doing gentle neck stretches and researching causes of neck soreness and posture improvement. At his appointment, his doctor promptly diagnosed him with "text neck." He has not experienced any accidents or injuries affecting his neck or back and maintains a physically active routine at work, which doesn’t involve manual labor or prolonged desk sitting. His commute usually consists of an hour of driving, divided into brief segments. While he admits to spending a lot of time texting, he recently had an enlightening moment when he noticed his poor posture while gazing in the mirror. A realization struck him: he had been unaware of this issue, but now he is determined to correct it and make better posture a habit. His doctor has referred him to physical therapy, which he plans to contact today. In summary, he feels somewhat discouraged and overwhelmed, recognizing that he played a part in causing his discomfort. The abundance of online resources can be confusing—one source suggests certain practices while another contradicts them, making it daunting to navigate. He is apprehensive about developing unhealthy habits or routines. Nevertheless, he's committed to adhering to the guidance from his physical therapist and understands that individual experiences may vary, though he still grapples with feelings of defeat.
Answers (1)
12/16/2025, 6:10:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to see your commitment to understanding and addressing your back discomfort and recent neck tightness. The awareness you have gained about your posture—a key factor in "text neck"—is a significant first step towards improvement. Here’s a structured guide to help you manage your situation effectively.
Main Points
- Your discomfort could be related to posture and overuse of your neck while looking at devices.
- Physical therapy is a valuable next step for personalized guidance.
- Adopting better posture and integrating stretches can alleviate symptoms.
Explanation
"Text neck" is often caused by looking down at phones or other screens for extended periods. This can lead to increased stress on the neck and back muscles, causing discomfort and even tension headaches as you've described. Staying active, as you do, is beneficial, but it’s crucial to complement this with proper posture and neck care routines.
Next Steps
-
Prioritize Physical Therapy: Schedule and attend your physical therapy sessions. The therapist will provide tailored exercises to strengthen your neck and back and offer strategies for maintaining good posture.
-
Posture Awareness: Make a conscious effort to check your posture throughout the day. When using your phone, hold it at eye level to reduce strain. Consider using voice-to-text features to minimize bending your neck down.
-
Regular Stretching: Incorporate gentle neck and shoulder stretches into your daily routine. Aim for 5-10 minutes each morning and evening. Some examples include:
- Neck tilts (gently bringing one ear towards your shoulder).
- Shoulder rolls (lifting and dropping your shoulders forward and backward).
- Chest stretches (interlacing your fingers behind your back and gently pulling).
-
Mindfulness and Ergonomics: Develop a habit of being aware of your body positioning, especially when driving or using devices. Setting reminders can be helpful.
-
Hydration and Rest: Stay hydrated to maintain muscle health and allow for adequate rest to prevent soreness, especially after nights of good sleep.
-
Limit Screen Time: Balance your screen time with physical activities that involve different body positions to reduce strain.
While it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, remember that creating new habits takes time and consistency. You’re already on the right path by seeking knowledge and being proactive about your health. Keep a positive mindset, and don’t hesitate to reach out for clarity or support as you go through this journey. Let me know if you have more questions!
Related Questions
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.