Text Neck: How Smartphones Are Transforming Our Skeletons

Join us as we delve into the astonishing narrative of how our ceaseless connection to the digital realm shaped not only our posture but also our future—a future where the boundaries between human and machine blur, and where even the bones of our bodies bear witness to the irresistible allure of the digital age.

Imagine a world where cellphones wield such astonishing power that they can reshape the very bones in our bodies. This remarkable topic has recently captured headlines across various media outlets, sparked by a groundbreaking scientific report. This report suggests that the use of smartphones and tablets may lead to substantial and enduring alterations in our physical anatomy, albeit in a manner that might surprise you.

Over the past few years, researchers David Shahar and Mark Sayers, specializing in biomechanics at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, delved into this intriguing area of study. Biomechanics, in their expertise, explores the application of mechanical principles to living organisms, encompassing everything from how humans move to how insects flutter their wings.

Shahar and Sayers' research extended into the realm of osteobiography, a field that unravels an individual's life history through an analysis of their bones. It has long been known that skeletons adapt to a person's lifestyle, with each set of bones narrating a unique story. For instance, in 1924, on the Pacific island of Tinian, oversized skeletons were discovered, linked to the strenuous labor of moving heavy stones. These islanders naturally developed larger arms, legs, and collarbones due to their physical tasks.

Fast forward to modern-day Australia, where Shahar and Sayers believe that cutting-edge technology is molding the skeletons of today's youth. But how, you might wonder? It all revolves around something known as an External Occipital Protuberance, or EOP. Some commentators have humorously likened it to a "foam ball" or even a "devil-like horn." In reality, the EOP is a bony growth situated at the back of the skull, intricately connected to the nuchal ligament, a vital component linking neck muscles to the skull. The EOP acts like an anchor atop the nuchal ligament.

To conduct their study, Shahar and Sayers scrutinized chiropractors' x-rays of individuals aged between 18 to 86. Their aim was to gain a contemporary understanding of how skeletons evolve, especially in cases involving neck discomfort. Furthermore, they sought to explore the potential health ramifications of these changes.

In their investigations, Shahar and Sayers observed that the EOP appeared more prevalent in young people. They hypothesized that prolonged screen time spent hunched over phones and tablets was a significant factor. The act of craning one's neck forward places extra strain on the region where the nuchal ligament connects, causing the EOP to gradually elongate by several millimeters. This phenomenon is often referred to as "text neck."

The research findings also unveiled a gender disparity, with a larger EOP present in 67% of males compared to just 20% of females in a test group of 218 people in 2016. By 2018, this study expanded to include 1,200 participants, reinforcing the observation that males were five times more likely to develop these prominent "text necks."

Now, the crucial question arises: Could the use of mobile devices genuinely lead to significant health issues within our bodies? While concerns about phone radiation and its potential link to cancer have been widely discussed, this new report has ignited a fresh debate. It is the first instance where experts have explicitly highlighted how technology is affecting our physical well-being. Shahar and Sayers have described the elongation of the EOP as a degenerative process, implying that things may worsen for young individuals who continue extensive device usage.

There is also the phenomenon of "text thumb" or thumb arthritis, where the thumb can develop serious issues akin to carpal tunnel syndrome. However, it's important to note that the study's focus on EOPs and the use of terms like "horns" or "spikes" has been met with criticism from some in the scientific community. Critics argue that the report lacks conclusive evidence and that longer skull bones, especially in males, are not a novel occurrence.

The prevailing viewpoint among the study's detractors is that there isn't sufficient empirical data to support the claim that cellphones are transforming us into characters akin to Hellboy. Nonetheless, the dramatic influence of technology on our lives cannot be denied. The idea that successive generations may be physically altered due to incessant interaction with their devices raises a serious concern that warrants attention.

In the end, it may be the archaeologists of the future who determine the impact of technology on our physical evolution. Perhaps, they'll find that people from this era didn't sprout large spikes from the backs of their necks, but one thing is certain: a little more time spent outdoors and a bit less time engrossed in mobile games might not be such a bad idea after all.