Neck Often Hurts When Playing With Cellphones? Beware Of Text Neck Syndrome!

JAKARTA - In today's modern era, mobile phones have become one of the main pillars of life, ranging from entertainment, learning, to work. However, the use of cell phones can actually have a negative effect too, especially if it is used excessively.

One of them is neck disorders such as sores, which are often called text neck syndrome. Text neck syndrome can attack anyone, from children to adults, especially those who have a habit of staring at their cellphones for a long time.

Quoted from The Guardians, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the text neck syndrome or what can be called a tech neck or screen neck, is a symptom of neck and back pain caused by activities in front of the cellphone screen for too long.

One of the main causes is to look down when you see a phone, which puts excessive pressure on the spine of the neck. Bad posture, such as bowing while sitting in front of the screen will exacerbate the text neck.

"It (submitting to see a cell phone for too long) will cause great tension on your neck, because you're really buckling it forward," said Africa's physical therapist, Theresa Marko.

Symptoms of text neck syndrome usually begin with mild discomfort in the neck and shoulders. However, these symptoms can develop to regular headaches, jaw pain, eye pain, and arm pain.

For early symptoms, this syndrome tends to be mild. However, these symptoms can become a serious problem in the future if they are not treated properly.

Therefore, it is necessary to prevent it from being exposed to text neck syndrome. The first way is to maintain the right posture when in front of the cellphone screen.

If you're going to continue to use your phone, you'll have to look parallel to your phone. That way your neck can be in a neutral position, "said a different orthopedic expert, Jeremy James.

In addition, it is also recommended to sit in an upright position or position the ponse screen as far as 20 to 40 inches from the eyes, so that the text neck syndrome does not occur. The use of waist pillows to improve your upright posture can also help you.

Don't forget to also rest from playing ponse regularly. Also stretch your neck and shoulders regularly so as not to be tense and stiff.