When people think of musculoskeletal conditions, the first thing that comes to mind is often a problem concerning the back. And while it is true that the back is one of the top body parts often affected by this type of condition, musculoskeletal problems can occur in any body part that may have been subjected to a high level of strain or pressure for a prolonged period of time.

Take the turtle neck syndrome as an example. It is a condition that afflicts the neck, primarily, although the effect is felt by surrounding muscles in the shoulders, back, and even the head.

What is turtle neck syndrome?

Turtle neck syndrome is characterized by a constant forward head posture, the posture of the head where the chin almost touches the chest. This often happens when a person is constantly looking down, whether on his phone when scrolling or on a laptop while typing or working. This posture causes extreme pressure on the neck, and the pressure spreads out to surrounding areas, causing pain and discomfort.

Studies say that for every inch your head move forwards, your neck has to handle extra 10lbs of weight. Imagine all that load! If this happens every day, the condition can turn to become severe turtleneck syndrome, and it may have long-term risks for your body.

Turtle neck syndrome: The risks you need to watch our for

Apart from the obvious discomfort and pain, turtle neck syndrome can lead to a variety of other medical conditions, ranging from the simple to the more complex, and from short-term to long-term consequences. Check out the following turtle neck syndrome risks that you need to be on the lookout for:

Muscle strain and pain

Perhaps the most obvious and the most common of all the symptoms, this is one of the first warnings you need to watch out for with turtle neck syndrome. Holding the neck in an unnatural position for extended periods can strain the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This can lead to chronic pain and discomfort. If you feel this on your neck, it’s time to pay attention to your posture.

Reduced range of motion

Over time, maintaining a forward head posture can reduce the normal range of motion of the neck and shoulders, making it harder to move the head and upper body comfortably. Because of the strain and pressure on the neck and surrounding muscles, turtle neck syndrome will cause the muscles to be stiff, and you might also suffer from muscle cramps. All of these can limit the range of movement of your neck and shoulders.

Headaches

Did you know that chronic tension in the neck and shoulder muscles due to turtle neck syndrome can contribute to tension headaches or cervicogenic headaches? These are headaches that originate from the neck, and they can be debilitating, keeping you from functioning well both at work or at home.

Breathing difficulties

Severe forward head posture can also restrict the airways. And if you develop this posture without you noticing it, this can potentially contribute to breathing difficulties, and not only while awake but even when you are sleeping.

Digestive issues

Although this may not be too apparent, the forward head posture that causes turtle neck syndrome also compresses the abdomen. And, a compressed abdomen can negatively affect digestion and exacerbate health conditions like acid reflux.

Increased pressure on nerves

Turtle neck syndrome is characterized by discomfort and pain due to excessive strain on the muscles. However, apart from muscle problems, incorrect posture can also put extra pressure on nerves in your neck and upper back. This can lead to tingling, numbness, or radiating pain in the arms and hands (radiculopathy). And compared to muscle pain, nerve problems can be more challenging to address.

Spinal misalignment

Prolonged forward head posture and severe turtleneck syndrome can contribute to changes in the natural curvature of the spine, and this can potentially lead to issues like cervical kyphosis (abnormal curvature of the neck spine). Spinal misalignment is dangerous not only because of the pain it causes but because of the long-term consequences it may bring, some of which may end up irreversible if not addressed right away.

Degenerative changes

These are another set of risks associated with severe turtleneck syndrome, and these are long-term risks that can affect a person’s overall quality of life. Over time, poor posture can accelerate wear and tear on the spine, leading to degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis or disc degeneration. Once these conditions occur, it is almost impossible to completely cure them, and all you can do is manage the conditions and adjust your lifestyle to them.

Turtle neck syndrome is a serious medical condition that can impact a person’s overall quality of life, so it is important to watch out for the causes and the symptoms. Make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle, design your environment with ergonomics in mind to protect your neck, and get a lot of physical exercise.

For all your ergonomic needs, you can check our MotionGrey catalog to see solutions that will help you avoid and address turtle neck syndrome.

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