What effects does technology have on our brains.

In the days before technology when we would read strictly from books, we had to use our imagination to create pictures in our mind about the characters, the scenery, colors, buildings, etc. We might have even imagined certain sounds like birds chirping or cars crashing. This use of imagination would exercise the right side of our brain. In today’s world of on-demand information and technology, the right side of our brain does not get used as often. This can lead to “right brain deficit” and an imbalance in brain development and/or function.

Right Brain deficit

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·        Perception- “Left-side neglect”; this means that they will not see objects or people on their left side or they may have trouble reading words on the left side of a page.

·        Reasoning and problem solving- may not recognize that there is a problem or how to solve a problem.

·        Memory- may not remember information learned or may have trouble learning new information.

·        Social communication- may not be able to understand jokes or nonverbal cues.

·        Organization- may have trouble putting information together logically or may have trouble planning or forgets to respond to calls, texts or e-mails.

·        Insight- may not recognize that they have any problems or, may not realize that their problems cause trouble at home, school, or work.

·        Orientation- may have problems knowing the date, time, or where they are.

Excessive use of technology weakens the frontal lobe. We can have impulsivity, lose attention on tasks, failure to focus and executive function and organizational skills, losing rational and reasoning. The frontal lobe changes in the teens and into the twenties and video games and technology can affect the development of the frontal lobe. The gray matter in the brain shrinks from too much tech and gaming.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-reasons-why-handheld-devices-should-be-banned_b_4899218

https://www.littlethings.com/reasons-not-to-give-children-technology/1

Digital Dementia is a term coined by neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer to describe an overuse of digital technology resulting in the breakdown of cognitive abilities.

Tech Neck Not only is our posture being compromised with more time being spent on technological devices but our overall health is suffering as well. Poor posture results in mechanical dysfunction of the spine which not only leads to pain, but also to poor neurological “messaging” from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body.

Tech Buzz: Cocaine, sugar and technology- what do they all have in common?! They will all increase the “feel good” chemical in the brain called dopamine. Several studies show that urges or cravings for gaming will produce changes in the brain similar to those as drug cravings. Therefore, it is easy to get addicted to gaming.

How to reduce the effects of technology in you and your children:

·        Take time to experience nature

·        No tech before 2 and reduced tech before 5 years old

·        Monitor your teens tech time closely

·        Incorporate movement breaks, especially after gaming

·        Advocate free play and creative play (for both children & adults!)

·        Practice good sleep hygiene- turn off all digital in the bedroom and at night

·        Reduce devices at least one hour prior to bed and do not sleep with digital devices in bed or nearby

·        Practice mindfulness

·        Dim the brightness on your digital device and use blue light screen protectors such as install f.lux on your devices

·        Advocate human contact/bonding/communication

·        Employ An “Electronic Fast” & “Screen Free Zones”

·        Practice good posture

·        Get regular chiropractic adjustments for your health!

·        Add an app that looks at you screen time and reduce it by 20% each day to a health amount.

·        Set a timer when on social media for 5-10 min, when the timer goes off stop scrolling, this will reduce the time you are on it and make you aware of the time sucking social media scroll.

Dr. Joelle Johnson is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness at 142 Erickson Drive in Red Deer 403-347-3261. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. www.family1stchiro.ca

Text Neck

Text Neck

The act of holding your head flexed and forward while looking down at your handheld device and/or laptop screen places your cervical spine in a tenuous position.  Our neck normally has a forward lordotic curve. This curve is straightened with prolonged forward head posture. Over long periods of time, maintaining this head-forward posture can lead to muscle strain, disc injury, nerve impingement and arthritic changes of the neck. This increases the potential for developing ongoing neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and pain radiating down the arms.

For every one inch of forward head posture away from neutral the weight of your head increases by 100% or 10lbs. The more your neck has gone forward, the more weight it has to carry. This disorder is associated with chronic headaches, shoulder and neck pain. Medical research has also uncovered evidence of related early onset arthritis and even decrease lung capacity. Try this for yourself. Have your head over your shoulders, take a deep breath. Put your head forward and try that same deep breath. It was harder to take the deep breath with the head forward wasn’t it!

The original term was "text neck"—the new term “tech neck” highlights the fact that it's not just texting anymore—almost all the time we spend looking at any screen has the potential for damaging the neck.

Exercises can help improve your posture, strengthen your neck and create better habits for everyday life. To avoid developing degenerative neck changes due to posture, here are several simple steps you can start today.

Set time limits. Limit the amount of time and frequency that you use your device. If you have to use it for an extended period of time, take breaks. Develop a habit of taking a three-minute break for every 15-20 minutes you use your device. Change your posture and move around.

Set automatic reminders. Utilize an automatic alarm with your smart device reminding you to take a time out

Use a tablet holder. Purchase a holder to elevate your device to significantly reduce the amount of neck flexion and forward positioning. Try to keep the device as close to eye-level as possible.

Sit in a chair with a headrest. Switch to a chair with a headrest, and make sure to keep the back of your head in contact with the headrest while using your tablet, phone or laptop. Keeping the back of your head flush against the headrest will ensure that you're not looking down with your neck flexed forward.

Use pain as a warning. If you're experiencing pain in your neck, between the shoulder blades, numbness or tingling in the arms, or frequent headaches there may be a more serious issue going on. Pay attention to these warning signs and act quickly to make changes to reduce or eliminate any head-forward posture that is straining your neck.

Chiropractic treatment is the best option for these issues. If you are having symptoms or just want to check if you or your children have this problem, book an appointment.

As a general rule, the sooner you seek treatment the more likely it is that you'll have success in treating the problem.

Dr. Stephen Kelly D.C.

Dr. Kelly practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to book an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca

Text Neck

Overuse of Smartphone’s can cause slipped discs

By: Dr. Stephen Kelly

With smartphone’s gaining popularity among South Koreans since 2010, an escalating number of youngsters, mostly in their twenties, are beginning to suffer the consequences.

According to the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation, the number of patients with cervical disc herniation (or slipped disc) has increased from 573,912 in 2007 to 784,121 in 2011. Out of 100,000 patients, 7.6 percent of them are in their twenties.

Most people look down when using their mobile devices. This posture adds a strain to the neck and causes cervical disc herniation. Whilst a human head weighs approximately 10 pounds (4.5kg), staring at a phone with your head tilted forward will feel more akin to a 20-30 pound (9kg to 13.6kg) load. A significant problem for the discs in your neck!

This study was done in Korea but this is a nearly worldwide problem. Chiropractic intervention can help “text neck” by realigning vertebrae and proving proper stretching/ rehabilitation exercises.

Cervical disc herniation isn't the only problem exacerbated by over use of Smartphone’s. Youngsters also spend less time exercising which has resulted in an increase in obesity and diabetes.

If you are one of those who like to spend hours chatting or gaming on your smartphone, this latest report from Korea should motivate you to take some time to rest in between and do some light neck stretches. After all, a slipped disc is no joking matter as it requires frequent medical, chiropractic and/or physical therapy. In some cases, it may even require surgical attention.

If you or a loved one frequently uses a smartphone, get checked by a chiropractor. It can help prevent/ relieve neck pain, headaches and potentially prevent a disc herniation.

Dr. Stephen Kelly.www.family1stchiropractic.ca.  Family First Chiropractic. 403-347-3261.  142 Erickson Drive. Red Deer, Alberta