A new study has revealed that slumping over the phone as you send and read messages or surf the internet can hurt your back, as it puts up to four stone of extra weight on your spine, leading to long-term damage.
The study found that the weight on the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward and these stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration and possibly surgery.
New York surgeon Dr Kenneth Hansraj said that the average adult head weighs 10 to 12 pounds when it's in the upright or neutral position.
However, because of that pesky thing called physics-gravitational pull-the cranium becomes heavier the more you bend your neck and recommended improving posture by keeping your ears aligned with your shoulders.
The study was published in Surgical Technology International.
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