Is your high definition TV hanging on the wall at home? Or even better, is it hanging above the fire place!? Have you developed neck pain recently? You might want to check the height of your TV.
Wall mounted televisions have become very popular. It helps save space, and it is very appealing. It’s also very tempting to put your TV over the fire place. Hanging the TV over the fireplace usually requires you to mount the television fairly high to clear the mantle. If your couch or favorite chair is in close proximity to the television this might contribute to neck pain.
Take a minute to think about your neck and spinal alignment as you sit in your chair watching your TV. If the TV is too close to the chair and mounted too high, people tend to look up. This could potentially lend to muscular imbalances and stiffness, particularly of the neck. Some subtle signs of neck pain might include: increased stiffness, achy shoulders, or headaches. If you are experiencing these symptoms, and you recently mounted your television above the fireplace, consider relocating your TV. It is still possible to mount your TV; however, you might want to consider a height that would place the monitor at eye level as you sit in your favorite chair.
If you have developed neck pain, and altering the height of your TV has not helped, contact your doctor or the spine specialists at Prairie Spine and Pain Institute. Together, we can help you locate the source of your pain and give you some specific instruction on how to deal with your condition conservatively.
About The Author: Jeremy W. Przybylo, PT, DPT, DMT is the Prairie Spine and Pain Institute’s lead physical therapist. He is a key component of our integrated care program. Jeremy works one-on-one with patients to perform an initial evaluation that allows him to design a comprehensive treatment program tailored to each individual. He typically works with patients weekly, utilizing a combination of hands on manual therapeutic techniques and a scientific approach to rehabilitative exercise.