Dr Christian Jessen: The social message of 'text neck'

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Every so often a piece of technology comes along that is so quickly and completely embraced by the vast majority that it becomes like an extra limb. Used frequently and rarely put down, the smartphone has undoubtedly improved our working and social lives no end. But there does seem to be a cost: research is spewing forth reports about the detrimental effects smartphones are now having on our health. From the ongoing debate about whether mobile phone signals give you brain cancer (current thinking is that they don't) to repetitive strain-type injuries endured by the digits such as iPhone Finger or BlackBerry Thumb.

And now a new type of RSI, caused by frequently hunching over a mobile phone for long periods, has been reported and been speedily named "text neck". More and more patients are coming forward asking for help with their stiff necks, headaches and shoulder and arm pain, and in many cases the single cause of this collection of symptoms is flexion of the neck for extended lengths of time due to mobile phone use. If left untreated it may well contribute to arthritic damage to the neck in the future. The problem is due to the simple fact that Mother Nature failed to predict the arrival of the smartphone and so our necks are not designed to be held in flexion for any great stretch of time. Making sure you take regular breaks by looking up and straight ahead should help.

Other researchers have looked at the effects of smartphones on relationships, and there too there are danger signs. Many Brits claim they have been usurped from a relationship by their partner's phone. One in eight adults claim their partner spends more time using their phone than speaking to them, according to a recent survey. Most of us feel the need to keep our phones within arms' reach for between 15 and 17 hours a day and a fifth of us sleep next to our phones. Apparently on an average night out we will spend 48 minutes on our phones, send three emails, 12 texts, two photos and some of us even update Twitter with alarming frequency. My diagnosis? Smartphones in bed are the ultimate turn-off. Which is exactly what you should do with yours at night.

Twitter @DoctorChristian