MEDIA CALL: NEW DATA REVEALS RISING IMPACT OF TECH NECK IN AUSTRALIA - Australian Chiropractors Association & Insight Communications

22 May 2025 8:40 PM

MEDIA CALL: CONTENT EMBARGOED UNTIL 10AM AEST - SUNDAY 25 MAY 2025

NEW DATA REVEALS RISING IMPACT OF TECH NECK IN AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL SPINAL HEALTH WEEK MEDIA LAUNCH: GET THE HEADS UP ON TECH NECK!

 

DATE: SUNDAY 25 MAY 2025

MEDIA CALL TIME: 10:00AM to 10:15AM for 10:30AM START (allowing for set up)

DURATION:                          1-2 HOURS – Dependent on the number of interviews required

LOCATION:                           Chiro H3 Sydney City

ADDRESS:                            Suite 506, 66 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000

PARKING:                             It is understood street parking on Sunday’s is not a problem. Secure Parking at 109 Pitt Street, Sydney offers a $20 FLAT RATE on Sundays if pre-booked online.

MEDIA LAUNCH EVENT:    GET THE HEADS UP ON TECH NECK THIS NATIONAL SPINAL HEALTH WEEK 2025 

ORGANISATION:                 The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) – Australia’s leading national body for chiropractic healthcare.

ANNOUNCEMENT:               ‘The impact of tech neck and neck pain in Australia’ - NEW data reveals Tech IS a ‘real pain in the neck’ for Australians of all ages with women leading the tech neck struggle and tiny tech neck users feeling the strain!

                                               Neck pain is a widespread and increasingly gendered issue in Australia, with 68% of women and 60% of men reporting symptoms; most commonly linked to poor posture, extended screen time, and non-ergonomic device use. Women consistently reported higher neck pain rates across all devices and settings, and were significantly more affected by chronic pain, mental health impacts, and productivity loss. Since COVID-19, Tech Neck cases have surged, particularly among children and teens, underscoring the urgent need for improved posture habits, ergonomic awareness, and access to preventative care like chiropractic support.

                                               Tech neck is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Growth in MSD cases is projected to be 43% over the next two decades with the use of technology a major cause of tech neck, it is a global health concern.

MEDIA CALL - INTERVIEW & VISION OPPORTUNITIES

 

ACA SPOKESPERSONS:    Dr Kim Lie Jom, Chiropractor and Dr Aimee Mason, Chiropractor

DEMONSTRATIONS: Vision of tech neck treatment and chiropractors demonstrating postural correctness, what to do when using a range of devices and ergonomic computer set ups to minimise tech neck.

 

CASE STUDIES:                   3 x Tech Neck case studies  

Ms Hazel Mijango                 46-year-old professional woman who’s been treated for tech neck due to long-term incorrect use of technology including desktop, laptop and mobile phones for 8-9 hours per day.

Ms Naoise Champion          25-year-old woman who had grown up having regular use of technology devices suffered from neck pain for around ten years due to spending many hours looking down at a phone or staring at a desktop or laptop computer screen. 

KEY FINDINGS OF ACA'S INDEPENDENT NATIONAL SURVEY

‘The Impact of Tech Neck & Neck Pain In Australia’

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10AM SUNDAY 25 MAY 2025

NOTE: The full media release will provide comprehensive statistics.

REPORT AVAILABLE FROM SUNDAY 25 MAY

https://bit.ly/SHW-Impact-of-Back-Pain

SURVEY DETAILS

ACA’s independent National Consumer Survey was conducted by award winning, global research company Pureprofile.

• 1019 respondents participated – 522 female and 497 males.
• Questions related to neck pain, device use focussing on smartphone, tablets, laptop computers, desktop computers and game console use and chiropractic.
• 651 reported neck pain – 298 male and 553 female.

 

KEY FINDINGS

• 65% of respondents reported that neck pain affected their daily life.
• 64% of Australian respondents reported experiencing neck pain: 68% of women vs 60% of men.
• 70% of neck pain sufferers reported neck pain impeded on their movement or daily activities.
• Women in every age group (except 51-60) reported higher neck pain rates than men.
• The most affected group was women aged 31-40 (73%).
• Women are more affected by device-related neck pain across all devices than men.
• 45% of respondents said their neck pain could be linked to device use.
• Only 33% of sufferers sought a medical diagnosis.
• Only 29% had the cause of the pain identified with tech neck being the second top cause.
• The most common posture identified to cause tech neck was bending the neck to look down, with 72% reporting neck pain.
• 42% of smartphone users spend between 2-6 hours daily on their phones.
• Across all devices, women reported 8-26% higher prevalence of neck pain than men for each timeframe.
• 78% of all respondents took over-the-counter pain relief – the most common treatment method.
• 47% of all respondents took prescription medication to relieve neck pain.
• Women reported as being significantly more likely to: slouch or lean back while using devices at work; used devices while seated on the floor; working from non-ergonomic setups at work and at home and, suffered higher pain rates and chronic neck pain.
• 37% of all respondents and 44% of neck pain sufferers had consulted a chiropractor.
• 76.9% all chiropractor patients reported some level of relief with 79% experiencing improvement.
• Since the COVID-19 pandemic, ACA chiropractors reported a noticeable rise in tech neck cases across all age groups with teens and children the most affected.
• 34% of ACA chiropractors reported seeing a significant increase in teens presenting with tech neck while 27% saw a moderate increase.
• 29% of ACA chiropractors reported a significant increase in children presenting with  tech neck while another 25% noting a moderate increase.
• Sedentary female workers experienced the highest rate of neck pain and were 22% more likely to experience neck pain than men – 71.7% vs 59%
• Correct posture, taking regular breaks and ergonomics while using devices had a significant impact on reducing prevalence of neck pain when using all devices.
• Holding a smartphone at eye level, the recommended position, was associated with the lowest neck pain prevalence (64%) but was only used by only 37.5% of smartphone users.

 

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TECH NECK IN AUSTRALIA

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) including tech neck, cost the Australian economy over $55.1 billion in direct health costs, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life.
• 58% of MSD sufferers are of working age (25-64), during their peak income-earning years.

For more information on Spinal Health Week 2025 visit spinalhealthweek.org.au

MEDIA RSVP ATTENDANCE & LAUNCH EVENT CONTACTS 

Insight Communications

Clare Collins M: 0414 821 957 E: [email protected]

Alice Collins M: 0414 686 091 E: [email protected]

 

AUSTRALIAN CHIROPRACTORS ASSOCIATION - MEDIA LAUNCH SPOKESPERSONS

Dr Kim Lie Jom - Chiropractor 

Dr Kim Lie Jom has been a registered and practicing chiropractor in NSW for the past 30 years. His commitment to the well-being of his patients extends beyond the chiropractic adjustments, as he understands the importance of holistic health for every individual. With a family of three kids of his own, he truly comprehends the value of family wellness. As a respected community leader, Dr Jom has become an integral part of the local community. His reputation extends not only for his exceptional chiropractic skills but also for his dedication to community service. He is a proud member of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), showcasing his commitment to the highest standards of professional practice. His involvement in the ACA goes beyond membership – he currently holds several key positions within the organisation, including Public Education, Audit and Risk, the Eastern Regional Committee. He is a dedicated member of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF), demonstrating his commitment to advancing chiropractic knowledge and contributing to research in the field. Dr Jom’s prominence in the chiropractic community is exemplified by his passion, dedication, and leadership in promoting health and wellbeing for individuals and families alike.

Dr Aimee Mason - Chiropractor 

Dr Aimee Mason is a dedicated chiropractor based in Sydney CBD, Dr Mason is driven by her passion for holistic patient care. Aimee’s practice focusses on helping individuals achieve pain-free and optional functionality through postural excellence. As a firm believer in the importance of posture for overall health and well-being, Aimee is dedicated to educating her patients and tailoring chiropractic techniques to suit their individual needs. Beyond her practice, Aimee is actively involved in supporting the chiropractic profession. Her commitment to chiropractic and her community reflects her core values of compassion and healthcare optimisation. 

1. National Spinal Health Week is an initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association.
2. Spinal Health Week is Australia’s longest running (almost 30 years) national community health awareness campaign dedicated to improving the spinal health of Australians of all ages and minimising the instances of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
3. In 2025, the campaign focusses on preventing Tension Neck Syndrome commonly known as “tech neck” or “text neck” affecting the cervical spine.
4. Tech neck is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
5. MSDs cost the Australian economy over $55 billion annually in direct health costs and lost productivity and reduced quality of life.
6. 6.1 million Australians are already affected by MSDs. Of those, 58% are of working age in peak income earning years (25-64).
7. The instances of MSDs are projected to rise by 43% over the next two decades, meaning the health burden on Australians and our economy is and will continue to be significant.
8. Tech neck is caused by poor posture and the prolonged or incorrect use of digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.
9. People suffering chronic neck pain visit the doctor twice as often as for other MSD problems.
10. Cervical spine disorders were once primarily experienced by seniors.
11. There is a growing number of younger patients in their 30s and 40s suffering from cervical spine disorders because of incorrect use of technology.
12. Studies show smartphone and laptop use have a significant impact on pain severity among those suffering from tech neck with the most prevalent symptoms among smartphone users (neck and back pain) critically linked to the length of time spent using a device to the degree of discomfort experienced.
13. Most Australian Children spend more time on screens than is recommended including using e-games, digital tablets and smartphones. (Australian Institute of Family Studies – Aug 2021).
14. Parents report that excessive screentime is the top health concern they have for their children.
15. Computer use is also linked to tech neck.
16. Tech neck is common among those who frequently use computers particularly office workers and students.
17. Unresolved tech neck can lead to headaches, neck, shoulder and upper back pain that over time, can lead to changes to the natural curve of the cervical spine.
18. Chiropractic healthcare provides over 400,000 consultations to Australians every week to treat spine-related conditions including neck pain.
19. ACA chiropractors are university trained healthcare professionals that can effectively treat neck pain and other spinal health conditions.
20. ACA chiropractors are Australia’s leaders in chiropractic healthcare providing effective drug-free, holistic chiropractic healthcare to people of all ages.
21. For more information about Spinal Health Week and effective drug-free chiropractic healthcare in the treatment and prevention of neck pain, look for the ACA Member logo or locate an ACA chiropractor near you, by visiting spinalhealthweek.org.au

 

TECH USE & NECK PAIN IN AUSTRALIA – STATS & FACTS

1. 1 in 5 Australians suffer from neck pain.
2. 34 million mobile phone connections in Australia.
3. 90% of Australians (approximately) own a mobile device and use smartphones for 3 hours daily to play, work, interact with family and friends according to a Deloitte survey.
4. 46% of Australian children aged 6-13 own or have access to a mobile device.
5. 96% of Australians access the internet via a smartphone.
6. 75.5 percent of Australians aged 16 to 64 use computers daily.

 

National Spinal Health Week (26 May to 1 June 2025) is the initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA). ACA has conducted national Spinal Health Week for almost 30 years. It is Australia’s longest running, and award-winning national health awareness campaign dedicated to improving the spinal health of Australians of all ages that focusses on a specific spinal health issue each year while promoting the importance of maintaining good spinal health to improve overall health and wellbeing.

In 2025, the campaign focusses on preventing Tension Neck Syndrome known as tech neck. Incorrect or overuse of smartphones and other electronic devices including tablets, laptops and desktop computers leads to the spine related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), "tech neck", also known as ‘text neck’. As electronic device use continues to grow, tech neck is emerging as a growing global public health concern.

Currently the cost of MSDs to the Australian economy exceeds $55.1 billion annually (including direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life). With 6.1 million Australians already affected by MSDs, of which 58% are of working age in peak income earning years (25-64); together with the projected increase in MSDs (43%) over the next two decades, the health burden on Australians and our economy is and will continue to be significant.

By promoting a proactive approach to improving spinal health through effective drug-free solutions, national Spinal Health Week 2025 will increase awareness of the MSD known as ‘Tech Neck’ that can cause neck and upper back pain and restrict the quality of life and increase the psychological distress and bodily pain of sufferers.

Factsheets - Avoiding Tech Neck Factsheets and Electronic Device Checklists for Adults, Parents and Students, the Ergonomic Checklist, and the Stand Corrected Stretching Poster are FREE to download from www.spinalhealthweek.org.au.

Incorrect or overuse of smartphones, tablets computers and other electronic devices can cause tech neck through:

1. Spending too much time with the head bent forward reading or scrolling electronic devices has been proven to cause tech neck.
2. Prolonged smartphone use can increase pressure on the discs and ligaments between the cervical vertebrae due to persistent forward head positioning which can lead to developing neck pain. 
3. Incorrect, non-ergonomic posture habits when using mobile devices and poorly setup computers (including laptops) at home, school, university or in the workplace, can lead to developing tech neck.
4. Too much screen time spent by children and young people using devices.

PREVENTING TECH NECK

During national Spinal Health Week, we’re encouraging all Australians to adjust their thinking on how they use smartphones, tablets and computers to help prevent persistent, aggravated head, neck and upper back injuries which impact productivity at home, school and at work.

To aid in preventing tech neck when using smartphones or tablets, the ACA recommends:

1. Sit comfortably with upright posture.
2. Limit the time spent using a smartphone to 2 hours per day, especially during leisure time.
3. Hold devices at eye level to prevent bending the neck forward.
4. Change posture and take regular breaks to look away from the device and move the neck from side-to-side and stretch every 10 minutes.
5. Use both hands or alternate between left and right when typing on a smartphone.
6. Don’t walk looking down at a phone. The head should be held up straight.

 

To aid in preventing tech neck from laptop or desktop computer use, the ACA recommends:

1. Sit comfortably with upright posture.
2. Shoulders should be relaxed with feet flat on the floor.
3. Ensure computers are set up ergonomically correct at a desk with the monitor or laptop screen at eye level and the mouse and keyboard positioned close to the body.
4. Use an adjustable ergonomic office chair so the knees are slightly lower than the hips.
5. Where possible, consider using a sit/stand desk.
6. Take regular movement breaks, move your neck from side to side and stretch every 30 minutes.
7. Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy spine and overall health and wellbeing.
8. Consult an ACA chiropractor to limit and treat spinal health problems including tech neck.

 

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE - SCREENTIME RECOMMENDATIONS

According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (Aug 2021) (AIFS), in Australia, screen time spent on TV, e-games, digital tablets and smartphones is a regular part of children and young people’s lives.

Parents report that excessive screentime is the top health concern they have for their children and are worried that their children spend too much time on electronic devices.

Most Australian children spend more time on screens than is recommended. Estimates from primary research suggest:

• 17–23% of preschoolers and 15% of 5–12-year-olds meet screen-time guidelines. 
• Screen time has been shown to increase between the ages of 10 and 14, especially among boys.
• The types of screen-time that increased was electronic gaming for boys and TV, computer use and social networking for girls.

 

The AIFS provides guidelines for parents to keep children active.

Developed from systematic reviews of the evidence about the effects of physical activity, sleep and sedentary time (including screen time) on children’s development, health and wellbeing; for screen time the guidelines recommend:

• no screen time for children younger than two years
• no more than one hour per day for children aged 2–5 years
• no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork).

 

While medications may offer temporary relief from neck and back pain, academic studies (including a Sydney University study) show opioids do not benefit people with acute neck or back pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and have no positive role in treatment.

Studies have shown that commencing treatment for tech neck promptly is crucial in preventing further functional decline and progression to a chronic condition.

Effective treatment outcomes are achieved through a combination of strengthening and stretching exercises, manual therapy and postural correction.

 

 

 

Established in 1938, the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) is the peak body representing chiropractors. The ACA promotes the importance of maintaining spinal health to improve musculoskeletal health through non-invasive, drug-free spinal health and lifestyle advice to help Australians of all ages lead and maintain healthy lives.

The ACA is the premier association for chiropractic in Australia. With around 3,000 members, the ACA is Australia’s largest chiropractic health body and has taken a leadership role in promoting the importance of maintaining a healthy spine to improve the overall health and wellbeing of every Australian. ACA develops and promotes professional standards for chiropractors, has invested $2.3 million to advance research in musculoskeletal health, builds evidence-based practice for chiropractic healthcare and actively promotes the importance of spinal health through its annual flagship campaign, national Spinal Health Week.

Every week 400,000 chiropractic healthcare consultations are creating well-adjusted Australians. With so many Australians visiting a chiropractor every week, chiropractors play an important role in improving the spinal health of everyday Australians.

Although pain medications may offer temporary relief from neck and back pain, academic studies show that opioids, commonly prescribed for this purpose, do not benefit people with acute neck or back pain (lasting up to 12 weeks), and have no positive role in treating chronic neck or back pain. With the possibility of opioids causing serious side effects and potential additional problems, while they may relieve neck and back pain in the short-term, longer-term outcomes are not improved with opioids.

ACA chiropractors are 5-year university educated healthcare professionals who effectively treat a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders including the causes of neck pain and a range of spinal health conditions. ACA chiropractors use specialised drug-free, evidence-based, non-surgical techniques including specific spinal adjustments to manage spinal health. They apply low-force intervention and use various manual therapies including soft tissue techniques while assessing lifestyle factors and providing relaxation methods to reduce reliance on medication and minimise stress caused by spine-related pain. By treating the cause of pain and not just the symptoms, chiropractic healthcare improves the overall health and wellbeing of Australians.

As a leader in musculoskeletal health, ACA has invested over $2.3 million to advance research in building evidence-based practice for chiropractic healthcare and promotes the importance of maintaining spinal health through National Spinal Health Week - Australia’s longest running and award-winning health awareness campaign dedicated to improving the spinal health of Australians of all ages.

Chiropractors conduct 400,000 consultations every week.

Contact details:

MEDIA RSVP ATTENDANCE & LAUNCH EVENT CONTACTS 

Insight Communications

Clare Collins M: 0414 821 957 E: [email protected]

Alice Collins M: 0414 686 091 E: [email protected]

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