Texting may be the most common form of communication these days, but it is also a health hazard.  A new study, published in the journal Surgical Technology International, found that texting can stress the spine based on posture and head position.  The researchers note that the poor posture while using smartphones could amount to an extra 1,400 hours of stress per year.  For high school students that are most glued to their technology, it could hit up to 5,000 hours of stress.

According to Venture Beat, this poor posture causes a loss of the natural curve in the cervical spine.  That increases the stress on the spine, which leads to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.  Fortunately, there in easy solution to this problem.  Fixing posture can prevent further damage and reduce any existing damage.

A CrossFit coach from San Francisco has a YouTube video to help improve posture when handling technology.  The head weighs 10 to 11 pounds, but sitting in an incorrect posture can increase the effective weight of head.  A small shift posture combined with impact on the center of gravity leaves the a head that has the impact of weighing as much as 30 pounds.

The video explains how to sit in a proper posture.  From the bones that a person sits on to the use of the core to keep the back neutral, changing posture can be uncomfortable and challenging.  The core should be engaged, rib cage down, and shoulders back.  Keeping the back neutral utilizes the appropriate center of gravity and prevents damage to the cervical spine.