Actor Shakeela Undergoes Neck Surgery, Blames Poor Posture And Excessive Phone Use: How ‘Tech Neck’ Affects Your Spine?

Shakeela said she lay sideways for hours playing mobile games and watching reels, which she believes damaged veins in her neck.

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Image: Screenshot: from Youtube/@The Shakeela

South actress Shakeela recently underwent neck surgery reportedly costing around Rs 3 lakh, after experiencing cervical spine-related problems. Her account has renewed attention on how prolonged smartphone use and poor posture can affect neck health.

In a video shared after returning home from hospital, Shakeela was seen wearing a neck brace and spoke about her experience. She said she would spend hours playing games and watching YouTube and Instagram reels while lying in an improper position, sometimes staying on her phone for up to four hours at a stretch.

The surgery reportedly cost around Rs 3 lakh. Shakeela said she lay sideways for hours playing mobile games and watching reels, which she believes damaged veins in her neck. She now seen wearing a neck collar and needs help with basic tasks.

“I used to lie sideways in my bed and play games on my phone for up to four hours straight… Improper posture and excessive use of my phone affected the main veins in my neck, eventually leading me to the operating table,” she said.

How Can Excessive Phone Use Affect The Neck?

Doctors note that prolonged phone use can contribute to neck problems when the head stays bent forward or in an awkward position for long periods. The head weighs several kilograms; keeping it tilted increases stress on the cervical spine and surrounding muscles, leading to fatigue, stiffness and discomfort.

When a mobile phone is used for extended hours, particularly while lying on one side or keeping the neck bent for several hours, it can put pressure on the cervical spine and the surrounding muscles.

Occasional poor posture is unlikely to cause major problems, but maintaining the same position for hours every day can contribute to muscle fatigue, stiffness and discomfort.

What Is Tech Neck And What Symptoms Can It Cause?

Tech neck is commonly used to describe neck pain and stiffness associated with prolonged smartphone, tablet, laptop and other device use. Looking down keeps the neck in a forward-flexed position, increasing the mechanical load on the muscles and supporting structures of the cervical spine.

Possible symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, shoulder discomfort, muscle fatigue, headaches and reduced neck mobility.

How Can You Protect Your Neck While Using Your Phone?

Experts recommend keeping the screen closer to eye level, changing positions regularly and avoiding prolonged use while lying on one side. Taking frequent breaks can also reduce strain.

Occasional discomfort may ease with rest and better posture. Seek medical advice for persistent neck pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, pain radiating into the shoulder or arm, or difficulty moving the neck. These signs need proper evaluation and should not be ignored.

Keep the screen closer to eye level instead of looking down. Change position regularly and avoid lying on one side for long periods.

Persistent neck pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, pain spreading into the shoulder or arm, or difficulty moving the neck should be medically evaluated rather than automatically attributed to phone use.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available informational. It is not medical advice, always consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis, treatment, or concerns related to neck pain or posture.

Key Questions Answered

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Untreated tech neck can lead to persistent neck pain, tightness in the shoulders, upper back discomfort, headaches starting at the base of the skull, and limited neck movement. In more severe cases, compressed nerves may cause tingling or numbness in the arms and hands.

To protect your neck, you should take breaks from phone use every 20-30 minutes and stretch your neck.

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