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Our “hinge” between the head and body is exposed to massive strain when we use our cell phones frequently. This puts pressure on the so-called “atlas vertebra.”
People stare at their smartphones for hours on end. Whether on the subway, in a café, or at home on the couch—their gaze is directed downward, their head tilts forward, and their posture becomes tense. Doctors are sounding the alarm because this habit can have serious consequences.
The atlas vertebra, known as C1 in technical terminology, is the topmost vertebra in the cervical spine. It supports the entire head and enables us to turn and tilt it.
However, this vertebra is subjected to enormous pressure when we spend hours looking down at our cell phones. While the head weighs around five kilograms in an upright position, the strain increases rapidly when it is tilted forward. Even at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees, up to 25 kilograms of weight are exerted on the atlas, as much as if you were permanently carrying a heavy backpack around your neck. It goes without saying that this causes pain.
Young people are increasingly reporting severe tension in the neck, stabbing pains between the shoulders and the back of the head, or a pulling sensation that extends into the arms. But that’s just the beginning.
If the atlas vertebra becomes misaligned, the nerve pathways and blood vessels that run through this area can be affected. Doctors see a clear connection here with recurring headaches, dizziness, or even concentration problems. A dull feeling of pressure behind the eyes or ringing in the ears can also occur and be exacerbated by prolonged cell phone use.
The solution sounds simple, but it requires a change in everyday habits. Holding your cell phone at eye level more often immediately relieves strain on the neck. Even small changes in everyday life can make a noticeable difference.
These include taking breaks to straighten your head consciously, letting your gaze wander into the distance, and gently moving your neck. Targeted strengthening exercises for the neck and shoulder muscles also act as a protective layer for the atlas. And, of course, don’t stay in a rigid posture for too long at a time.
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