We live in a world where working, traveling and playing all is done while being online 24/7. Nothing comes without a price. Being accessible for work or pleasure around the clock comes with a price for our skin and bodies. We can see people hunched over their Androids/ Smartphones with shoulders and neck strained and thumbs continuously moving. This special position with head hanging, shoulders hunched and eyes glued to the device is called a “tech neck”.
This can cause serious damage to the facial looks of the person which includes frown lines, under eye bags, horizontal lines on the neck along with fat prominence (also called double chin) not to mention the associated pain in the neck. The newest entrant in the world is headache and numbness in the arms because of strain. There is the appearance of a crease just above the collar bone from repeated use of any devices in bending down position called the “tie line”. The sagging jowls and wrinkled necks are happening to younger people because of the bad posture they develop while using digital devices constantly. More and more young people are getting self-conscious because of this area of their body.
What is it that people are doing wrong specifically when using their gadgets?
Things that usually are a concern when using these handheld gadgets are as follows-
- Neck Posture
- Body Posture
- Use of specific fingers repeatedly
- The strain on the eyes
Poor neck posture causes Forward Head Position which is a common cause of neck, head, shoulder- tension, and pain. This can be a result of injuries like sprains and strains of the neck leading to weak neck muscles or simply because of using the computer and smartphone for a long time. The usual cosmetic issues as mentioned above are caused due to abnormal neck posture.
How to prevent a Tech neck?
The best way to prevent having a Tech neck is:
Having a healthy well-balanced diet.
Preferably reduce the use of such devices to minimal. Make a phone call in place of using the text.
To reduce the load on the neck, raise the device up:
- Onto the table in cafes
- In front of you on trains and planes
- On cushions on your lap at home
- On a stand in the office
Cardio exercises can ease the strain in the tired muscles of the neck and upper back. This has to be combined with full body exercises.
What are the possible ailments caused and their solutions?
The primary concern is the strain on the neck causing pain in the neck and arms. This requires a change of posture, neck muscle strengthening exercises and reduced use of these devices. The aesthetic or cosmetic concern is the unhealthy aged look on the face which includes frown lines, under eye bags, horizontal lines on the neck along with fat prominence.
These are best treated by the treatment options mentioned below-
Injection Lipolysis (called Kybella in the USA) - This US FDA approved treatment option is indicated for people who have a double chin and excess fat in the neckline. People are interested in having an attractive neck and that means treating it for “tech neck” and other maladies like moderate to severe fat on the upper neck. It works by destroying fat cells and can be used to treat a double chin. Best used for people who are against surgery and can be carried out as an office procedure with no downtime. Multiple sessions are usually required.
High definition Radiofrequency- A combination of micro needling and highly focused radiofrequency waves are used to tighten the loose skin and deeper sub-cutaneous layers. This is minimally invasive and gives good outcomes. Surgery- High definition liposuction and minimally invasive neck lift procedures give chiseled jawlines and long term benefits. These are recommended for people who would want a permanent solution for their concerns and are open to surgical procedures. If exercise and diet are not helping to reduce the double chin then, maybe its time to consult a specialist. An experienced doctor can explain to you all the suitable treatments.