Warning issued over ‘Tech Neck’ and why it’s so bad for your health

Nothing good comes from sitting down all day.

Experts are now warning about the dangers of developing 'Tech Neck' - the pain you're probably familiar with when you sit down glued to a screen day after day.

'Tech Neck' is a posture problem that refers to the soreness, stiffness, and possible injury that results from bending your head downward for long periods of time.

Stacie J. Stephenson, a doctor of chiropractic and chair of functional medicine for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, explained: 'It’s the fallout from spending too much time looking down at phones or tablets, or holding your head too far forward to look at a computer screen.'

'Tech Neck' is common around people who spend prolonged amounts of hours glued to a screen / BSIP / Getty

In a study of 500 people, scientists found a strong link between the amount of time someone spent using their phone and the severity of their neck pain.

Health expert, Dr. Riew, stated: 'The more you look down, the more the muscles have to work to keep your head up.'

So, if you're spending a lot of time on your gadgets, or having too many gaming marathons, it might be a good idea to cut back a bit.

Or, at the very least, pay close attention to how you're sitting and how long you're sitting for. If you find yourself regularly slouched over with your head drooping, it's time to fix that.

Otherwise, over time, it could turn into a bigger issue, messing with your muscles and spinal curvature, and can ultimately have a detrimental impact on your long-term health.

So, what's the right way to sit?

If you find yourself regularly slouching, it's time to fix that / PonyWang / Getty

Well keeping your devices at eye level is a good rule of thumb.

When you're at your computer, position your screen high enough so you can look straight at it rather than look down at it.

Stephenson advised: 'Your spine should be in one straight line from the top of your head to your tailbone. To get it right, you’ll need to hold your head over your spine, rather than letting it drop forward.'

The key is not to sit up straight as this actually puts more pressure on your spine.

A better way to sit is with the chair reclining 25 to 30 degrees. 'This way, part of your body’s weight goes into the chair, instead of straight down your spine. So your spine sees a lot less force and, as a result, you hurt a lot less,' Dr Riew added.

Additionally, with smartphones, we have a habit of looking down and scrolling through memes, but experts say to resist the urge and keep phones at eye level.

And don't forget getting up and move around regularly to stretch out your body and shake off any stiffness.