A young woman develops the neck of a 60-year-old due to excessive cell phone use

In Taiwan, a 20-year-old university student went to Yuan Rong Hospital in Yuanlin for persistent headaches and a stiff neck. To the surprise of neurologist Yeh Tsung-Hsun, X-rays revealed an alarming finding: the young woman's cervical spine had lost its natural curve and showed signs of slippage in some vertebrae, a condition similar to that of a 60-year-old.

The specialist identified the problem as "text neck," an increasingly common condition among young people who spend hours hunched over cell phones, video games, or TV shows. He explained that this posture can cause premature cervical degeneration, with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, numbness, and tingling in the shoulders, arms, and fingers.

Dr. Yeh warned that tilting the neck 60 degrees, a common posture when using a cell phone, is equivalent to placing about 27 kilograms of pressure on the cervical spine, comparable to the weight of a bowling ball or a small child. Over time, muscles and ligaments weaken, discs compress, and the cervical structure wears down faster than expected, which can even accelerate herniated discs and the formation of bone spurs.

The doctor emphasized that this case reflects a common problem among the so-called "smartphone generation," where technology overuse ultimately leads to health problems that often present themselves decades later.

Specialist Recommendations

To prevent "text neck," Dr. Yeh suggested three simple measures:

Screen at eye level: Keep your phone or device elevated so you don't have to tilt your head.

30-Minute Rule: Every half hour, take a 5-minute break to stretch and look into the distance.

Wall exercise: Lean back, gently tuck your chin in, and hold the back of your neck against the wall for 10 seconds, repeating several times.

This young woman's case serves as a warning about how poor postural habits can prematurely age the body. It's important to remember that the human head is surprisingly heavy, averaging 5 kilograms, and by constantly tilting it to view screens, we multiply the pressure on our spine. This constant strain accelerates wear and tear on the body and forces us to reconsider how we interact with technology and prioritize our health in the digital age.