As Quoted By The Atlantic: "If You Keep Texting, Your Head Will Fall Off"

Image sourced from The Atlantic

Millions of us in the modern technological era using cell phones, tablets, and whatnot on a daily basis, are spawning the latest “epidemic” to hit the medical community: 'text neck'. According to recent reports from New York spinal surgeon, Dr. Hansard, flexing your neck (such as looking at your phone), severely increases the pressure on the cervical spine. Over time, the weight of your noggin, combined with this increased pressure, can lead to degeneration of spinal discs and other complications. Severity of the disease may even lead to surgery!

News of this recent "break-through" has spread like wildfire throughout the news community, as it certainly is a peak worthy story. I mean, who really wants their head to fall off?! However, closer examination to Dr. Hansard’s claims has revealed several new articles from respected neurosurgeons who refute these claims. Biggest lesson learned from reading that headline: Don’t take anything at face value.

In my opinion however, the best thing that has come out of this article and new topic of debate for us technology users, is for people to be more cognizant to their spatial surroundings when utilizing the technology of today. Look around at any public place and take notice of how many of us are mindlessly wandering around staring into the twittersphere or into Facebookland. Maybe the biggest “epidemic” that we need to change is by starting at the root pattern of behavior and distancing ourselves from our said technologies. Also, performing anything for lengthy periods of time outside the norm probably isn't the best thing for our bodies. Your body (and head) can thank me later.