The Most Harmful Habits for the Spine Identified

Using gadgets with the head tilted down, prolonged sitting, and an unsuitable pillow for sleep can cause serious harm to the spine. Orthopedist Giancarlo Mariano warned about this in a conversation with Metropoles publication.

According to the expert, constant use of smartphones and other devices with the head lowered leads to overstrain of the cervical spine. The issue is that the neck muscles in the correct position are "designed" to withstand the weight of the head, which on average is between 4.5 and 5.5 kilograms. But with each centimeter of forward or backward tilt, the load on them increases.

A sedentary lifestyle is equally harmful. Dr. Mariano noted that in the absence of physical exercise, the mass of back muscles decreases, which prevents them from effectively supporting the body and maintaining proper posture. Prolonged standing, as the expert notes, can also be harmful. Mariano advised against standing still for long periods and taking long trips without breaks.

The specialist also noted that an unsuitable pillow prevents muscles from relaxing at night, causing pain and discomfort.