The ACA recommends limiting recreational screentime to two hours per day, holding devices at eye level to prevent bending the neck forward, changing posture and taking regular breaks every ten minutes to look away from the device and move the neck from side-to-side.
Can work or life be a pain in the neck? It might not be the workload or what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it.
Tension Neck Syndrome (TNS), is a growing global health issue and more commonly known as Tech Neck or Text Neck, a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) caused by poor posture and prolonged device use.
More than 1 in 5 Australians live with neck pain, with 70% of office workers, particularly high screen-time professionals like journalists, impacted by this musculoskeletal condition.
Ahead of Spinal Health Week (26 May – 1 June 2025), the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) is urging Australians to rethink their tech habits as part of a national campaign to tackle the growing impact of “Tech Neck” on individuals and workplaces.
The “Heads Up On Tech Neck” campaign urges Aussies to ‘adjust their thinking ‘about how they use devices like mobile phones, tablets and computers.
MSDs affect the joints, bones, muscles and multiple body areas (including the neck) and cost the Australian economy over $55 billion annually through direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life.
Dr Billy Chow, President of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) said, “This Spinal Health Week, we’re inviting Australians to join the movement to learn and share practical strategies that can help prevent tech neck, promote overall spinal health ad wellbeing, and reduce the economic and personal burden of MSDs,” Dr Chow said.
Get the heads up on tech neck and download ACA’s free Avoiding Tech Neck Factsheets and Electronic Device Checklists for Adults, Parents and Students, the Ergonomic Checklist, and the Stand Corrected Stretching Poster available to download from www.spinalhealthweek.org.au.