Tech neck – causes, symptoms and posture support
Neck pain often occurs due to poor posture in front of a computer or mobile phone. When the head falls forward in front of the body, the strain on the neck muscles, ligaments and bones increases. This leads to tension, stiffness and the risk of long-term problems in the neck, shoulders and upper back.
What is a tech neck?
A forward head tilt is a condition in which the head is tilted forward in relation to the shoulders and back. The head weighs about 4 kg, and when it is in front of the body, the strain on the neck and back muscles increases significantly. This incorrect load is a result of our modern lifestyle with many hours in front of a computer, tablet or phone. If the posture is not corrected, the problems can become long-lasting and difficult to treat.
Common causes & risk factors
A static, forward-leaning posture mainly causes neck pain. Working at a computer without an ergonomically adapted work environment, prolonged mobile phone use and inactivity are the most common risk factors. Rotating the shoulders forward and letting the neck carry the phone instead of holding it with the arms often worsens the situation.
Symptoms
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Pain in the shoulder area and upper back
- Feeling of fatigue in the neck muscles
- Tension headaches caused by muscular strain
- Poor posture with forward-slung shoulders
When should you seek medical attention?
If the problems become long-lasting, affect everyday life, or are combined with numbness or weakness in the arms, you should contact healthcare.
Recommended protection & support
A posture support can help to improve the position of the neck and shoulders and reduce the strain on the neck. By providing a gentle reminder and support for a more upright posture, the problems can be alleviated. Combine this with an ergonomically adapted work environment, regular breaks and exercises for the neck and shoulders. See all our products for the neck here.
About our Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints
In our Injury Guide, you will receive clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur and what symptoms usually occur. You will also receive recommendations on which protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.
For more information about shoulder and neck problems, you can read more in the Shoulder & Neck Injury Guide, and you can also go to the Injury Guide's main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.
Related injuries:
Find the right protection for your needs
There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalised selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist, Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.
