Looking Down May Increase the Risk for Neck Pain…

Among a group of 38 young adults with no history of neck, shoulder, or back pain, researchers found that engaging in just ten minutes of static neck flexion (looking downward at a smartphone, for example) resulted in potentially harmful changes in cervical sensory-motor control. More specifically, the research team observed that prolonged neck flexion led to impairments in both the participants’ ability to return their head to a neutral position and to quickly make adjustments to compensate for movement elsewhere in the body. The research team concludes, “These changes in sensory-motor control may be a risk factor for neck pain and injury.” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, April 2018