NEW YORK, June 29 — A 2017 Pew Research Centre survey has reported that 77 per cent of Americans own smartphones, a number that rose from 35 per cent in 2011. This surge in smartphone use has led to problems ranging from addiction to physical stress on the neck and spine.

Craning necks to look at their smartphones might cause spine and neck issues for smartphone users. — Reuters pic

When people crane their heads to look at their smartphone devices, a surprising amount of force is placed on the cervical spine, a study published in the journal Surgical Technology International found.

According to the study, published in 2014, the head exerts 10 to 12 pounds of force on the spine even when the neck positioned in a neutral, upright position.

Using a computer-simulated model of the human spine, New York back surgeon Kenneth Hansraj found that when the neck is craned to 30 degrees from the vertical, the force placed on the spine is increased to 40 pounds. When the neck is craned at 60 degrees, the spine is experiencing 60 pounds of force, which is roughly the weight of four bowling balls, or an 8-year-old child.

Smartphone users may be continually stressing their spines, unless they train themselves to bring their phones up to eye level.

It is estimated that Americans spend about an hour on their phones daily. The pressures exerted on their spines may lead to early wear and degeneration on the spine, back surgeon Hansraj wrote in the study. — Reuters