Tech Neck Is Old News—The Real Problem Is ‘Tech Spine’

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita | Kinetic Chiropractic – Lehi, UT

Everyone’s heard of “tech neck”—the forward-head posture you get from looking down at your phone. But most people don’t realize the real issue is even bigger. Meet “Tech Spine”: the combination of neck, mid-back, and shoulder dysfunction caused by hours of screens.

Why It’s More Than Just Your Neck

When you hunch over a screen:

• Your mid-back loses mobility and becomes stiff.

• Shoulder blades slide forward, straining muscles.

• Neck muscles overwork to hold your head up.

• Breathing gets shallow as your chest collapses.

Over time, this leads to chronic tightness, fatigue, and sometimes tingling in your arms or hands.

The Hidden Cost of Prolonged Poor Posture

Tech Spine doesn’t just look bad—it affects how your body moves and feels every day. You may notice:

• Daily headaches

• Upper back pain

• Limited shoulder movement

• Difficulty taking deep breaths

How We Help

Treatment focuses on restoring healthy movement through:

• Specific adjustments to improve mid-back mobility

• Soft tissue therapy to release tension

• Postural exercises to strengthen underused muscles

• Ergonomic tips to keep you moving well at home or work

Takeaway

It’s time to look beyond tech neck. If your whole upper body feels locked up, Tech Spine could be why.

Let’s help you sit, stand, and move pain-free again.