Your smartphone is a pain in the neck

Most of us often joke that we can’t live with out our phone, but it may be causing us more bother than we think.

Cases of “tinder-nitis” and “selfie spasms” are on the rise and are a cause for concern, a physiotherapist has warned.

The injuries are a form of neck and shoulder tension caused by the overuse of technology, including phones, laptops and tablets.

And while they can affect all tech-savvy people, it’s millennials that are most at risk — with some expected to take as many as 25,700 selfies in their lifetime.

Physiotherapist Sammy Margo said: “We are seeing more and more young people with tension in the neck, shoulders and back — much of it directly related to sedentary lifestyles in part due to the intensive smartphone use.

“From holding devices up to take ‘selfies’ several times a day to incessant typing, scrolling and swiping a screen all day whether it be for work or leisure.

“Due to today’s modern societal pressures to remain connected at all times, it is unlikely this vulnerable group will be putting down their tablets or phones anytime soon or take up exercise.”

According to Ofcom’s 2017 Communication Markets report two-thirds of 16 to 34-year-olds and 44 percent of 34 to 54-year-olds consider their phone their “most important” device.

The average user checks their phone more than 2,617 times a day, research suggests.

Working on the go is also contributing to the rise in technology-related injuries, with 54 percent of the UK’s office workforce now opting to work remotely.

Sammy said that those who suffered neck and shoulder issues are more likely to rely on painkillers, which can cause long-term digestive problems.

Some painkillers, like ibuprofen, have also been linked to stomach ulcers.

“We know there is a risk they will turn instead to oral painkillers, which can become a damaging habit in the long term,” Sammy said.

“It’s advisable they explore other drug-free options, such as warming Deep Heat muscle rescue neck and shoulder cream or heat patch to help relieve muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.”

Deep Heat is a drug-free warming cream designed to soothe and ease everyday muscular tension in the neck and shoulders.

The cream and patches can be applied directly to the skin when suffering pain.