Tech Is Creating Neck Pain For College Students: Here's How To Get Relief

Many college students have always said studying was a pain. But now, even the medical experts think this may be a literal statement, rather than metaphorical.

In recent years, doctors around the world have been fielding complaints of ongoing neck discomfort from teens and young adults - a population that rarely experiences chronic pain in historical terms. These reports largely come from the United States, but have also been seen in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and across Europe. Medical experts don't think the cause is contagious - but it is pervasive. Representatives from The Neck Cloud, a company that specializes in developing creative pain relief products, explain what may really be happening.

The Rise of "Tech Neck"

Medical professionals are increasingly concerned about the rise of what they unofficially call "tech neck." Also known as "text neck," the condition has slowly surfaced in desk workers over the decades, but didn't raise much concern since the aging sedentary workforce has always suffered health complaints. However, this condition now affects nearly 75 percent of higher education students, according to 2025 statistics from the University of Miami. This has triggered alarm bells.

Since the iPhone hit the market in 2007, modern life has gradually started to orbit around our smartphones. By 2026, everything from our social lives to our banking is dependent on smartphones. Which means students who spend their days studying, shopping, and scrolling spend far more time in a hunched position than their skeletons were ever meant to handle.

The Weight of Modern Life

Adult human heads weigh roughly 11 pounds, which doesn't sound like much. But that head can exert up to 60 pounds of pressure on the neck. Keeping it bent between 30 and 60 degrees - the angle usually used for phone, device, or laptop viewing - places significant strain on the posterior neck muscles and cervical spine.

Medical experts recommend adults spend 2 hours or less of recreational time on their phones daily. While they recognize that many jobs require some degree of smartphone use, they warn that more than 4 hours of daily screen time can lead to eye strain, poor sleep, neck and shoulder pain, and reduced physical activity. However, the average American spends about 5.25 hours on their smartphones each day, and Generation Z clocks nearly 6.5 hours, according to University of Miami data.

Undoing "Tech Neck"

Since society is trending toward more and more tech, it's unlikely that we'll ditch our phones anytime soon. Instead, it's increasingly important to take proactive steps to address "tech neck." The innovators at The Neck Cloud recommend the following:

• Take breaks every 10-20 minutes when extended screen or study time is required.
• Use ergonomic support devices to support your phone at eye level if possible, and try to keep your head straight.
• Exercises like chin tucks, upper trap stretches, and thoracic extensions can help stretch and strengthen affected muscles.
• Scientifically designed posture pillows allow supported stretching and relaxation for deep neck muscles.

Students can easily put many recommendations into practice in their dorms or libraries during study breaks. Research shows that taking time to stretch and rest the eyes and body can actually improve focus during extended sessions. University students are already committed to investing time, money, and effort in themselves and their future. But you only have one body as well, and investing in your health pays dividends over time, too.

The Neck Cloud
City: Sheridan
Address: 30 North Gould Street
Website: https://neck-cloud.com