Your "Tech Neck" is a Danger to Your Children Too! Self-Care for the Digital Disease Plaguing Modern Times

―To the Eye Crisis of Modern Society!―

Hello everyone.
This is Sankai Therapy Clinic.
While the spread of smartphones and computers in modern society has enriched our lives, it has also triggered a serious problem that can be called a new "national disease."
It is "tech neck" (straight neck), which many people are aware of but tend to downplay.
Neck stiffness, shoulder stiffness, headaches... What if these daily ailments were actually connected to deeper problems affecting your entire body's health and mental state?
And how would you feel if there were a possibility that "ancient wisdom," which you might never have imagined, could shed new light on chronic ailments that are difficult to resolve with general approaches and care?
In this article, we will delve into the terrifying reality of this modern "tech neck" and, as one form of self-care, focus on the existence of "Hotsuma characters," which have been passed down in Japan since ancient times and harbor not just letters, but "kotodama" (word spirits) and "vibrational energy."
How does this ancient script function as a groundbreaking method for healing the physical and mental ailments of modern people?
We will thoroughly explain everything from its concrete mechanisms to the grand history and cosmic view of Hotsuma characters. We offer a completely new perspective for rethinking your "tech neck" from the roots and building a healthier, more vibrant future.

What is Tech Neck? Its Reality and Impact

Tech neck, or straight neck, refers to a condition where the cervical spine (neck bones), which should naturally form a gentle curve, becomes straight due to a forward-leaning posture during prolonged use of smartphones or computers, placing excessive strain on the neck and shoulders. This posture puts abnormal stress on the neck muscles and joints that support the weight of the head (about 4-6 kg), causing various ailments.
Many modern people spend several hours or more per day on digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and game consoles. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of 2024, it is reported that over 70% of Japanese people are aware of "stiffness in the neck or shoulders." Especially among the working generation in their 20s to 40s, the number of people complaining of tech neck symptoms is rapidly increasing due to the rise in telework and long hours of desk work.

The ailments caused by tech neck are not limited to neck and shoulder stiffness. The impact extends to the entire body, including headaches, dizziness, eye strain, sleep disorders, and even fatigue and depressive symptoms due to autonomic nervous system imbalance.
Medically, it is pointed out that a straight neck causes the loss of the natural curvature of the cervical spine, which may hinder blood flow and nerve function, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. Furthermore, poor posture leads to compression of internal organs, which can also lead to indigestion and shallow breathing, making it truly a "source of all diseases."
Surprisingly, recent research suggests that tech neck also affects mental health and is associated with increased stress and anxiety. Thus, tech neck is not just a physical ailment, but a serious problem that casts a shadow over the entire lives of modern people.

Tech Neck and Children

The risk of tech neck cannot be overlooked in children either.
According to a 2024 survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the smartphone ownership rate among elementary school students has risen sharply over the past 10 years, and the daily usage time has also increased. As a result, poor posture, or tech neck, has become a social issue among children as well.
Surprisingly, it is reported that 18% of elementary school students are aware of "physical ailments due to excessive smartphone use."
In particular, long hours of near-work using game consoles and tablets, as well as increased screen time due to the introduction of ICT teaching materials at school, are putting a strain on children's necks and shoulders. Long hours of work in poor posture and using devices with the screen too close are also factors that worsen tech neck in children.
These ailments can lead to a decline in concentration and motivation to learn, casting a shadow over children's healthy growth.

Children's bones and muscles are in a developmental stage and are more vulnerable to stress than adults. Therefore, the impact of long hours of poor posture on the cervical spine is even more serious than in adults.
For example, when children are absorbed in games or videos, they often stay in the same posture for a long time without moving their necks, which accelerates the formation of a straight neck.
In a 2024 survey, about 18% of elementary school students were aware of neck and shoulder ailments due to excessive smartphone use, and 10% complained of a lack of concentration or headaches.

A decrease in outdoor play and exercise is also a factor that worsens tech neck in children. Activities and exercise under natural light promote muscle development and have the effect of correcting posture.
However, modern children spend significantly less time outdoors due to the spread of digital devices and an increase in cram schools and lessons. As a result, the muscles in their necks and shoulders do not develop sufficiently, making them prone to bodies that cannot withstand the load from digital devices. Furthermore, a lack of guidance on posture at home and school is also a problem.
Parents and teachers rarely give appropriate warnings about children's posture when using devices, and an environment where bad habits are easily established is spreading.

The percentage of tech neck by age group and its increasing trend highlight the structural problems of modern society.
In the younger generation, smartphone use for entertainment purposes such as social media, games, and video viewing is the main cause.
On the other hand, for those in their 30s to 40s, computer work and the increase in remote work are accelerating tech neck. In the elderly population, with the spread of smartphones, the percentage of straight neck is rising due to increased daily use for emails, news browsing, and online shopping.
What is common to all generations is the fact that the longer the time spent using digital devices, the higher the risk of ailments caused by tech neck.

Physical Effects Caused by Chronic Tech Neck

When tech neck becomes chronic, chronic muscle tension and pain across the neck, shoulders, and back become the norm. Originally, the cervical spine has a gentle lordosis (forward curve) to efficiently support the weight of the head (about 4-6 kg).
However, when this curve is lost due to long hours of forward-leaning posture, excessive load is placed on the neck and shoulder muscles, causing chronic stiffness and pain.
According to a 2024 health survey, about 70% of adults aware of tech neck complain of "chronic neck and shoulder pain," and about 40% of them also suffer from headaches or dizziness. In particular, tension-type headaches and migraines occur frequently due to tension in the cervical muscles or nerve compression, causing significant hindrance to daily life.

Furthermore, the loss of cervical curvature also affects nerves and blood flow. As the muscles around the neck stiffen, the nerves leading to the arms and hands are compressed, causing symptoms such as numbness and lethargy.
These symptoms become particularly noticeable after long hours of desk work or smartphone use, leading to decreased work efficiency and increased discomfort. Also, poor posture due to tech neck progresses rounded shoulders and hunched back, causing compression of the thoracic cage. This leads to circulatory insufficiency where breathing becomes shallow and oxygen supply to the lungs is insufficient.
In a 2024 study, about 30% of straight neck patients reported "difficulty breathing" or "chronic fatigue," revealing the risk of affecting overall body health.

Autonomic nervous system imbalance is also one of the major effects of chronic tech neck. The cervical region is an important area involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, and if muscle tension and nerve compression continue, symptoms such as lethargy, insomnia, and indigestion appear.
In a 2024 survey, about 50% of people aware of tech neck reported "decreased sleep quality," and about 20% reported feeling "unexplained physical malaise." These symptoms create a vicious cycle that lowers the body's recovery power and invites further ailments.

General Self-Care and Its Limitations

There is self-care that many people incorporate into their daily lives to alleviate the ailments of tech neck.
For example, neck and shoulder stretches work to loosen muscle tension and promote blood flow. Heat therapy and moxibustion soothe muscle stiffness and promote relaxation.
Also, Enpi-shin (sticker-type acupuncture) is popular as a way to reduce pain by stimulating acupressure points, which can be easily tried at home.
Creating a work environment based on ergonomics—using monitors and chairs at appropriate heights, and wearing blue light-cut glasses—is also effective in reducing the burden on the neck.
Furthermore, a diet rich in B vitamins and magnesium, sufficient sleep, and moderate exercise support the health of muscles and nerves.

However, there are limitations to these methods.
While stretches and massages are effective for temporary relief, the reality is that symptoms are likely to recur as long as digital device use continues.
Moxibustion and Enpi-shin are effective for specific pain or stiffness, but may be insufficient to fundamentally change the balance of the whole body or chronic ailments.
Also, improving the work environment and reviewing lifestyle habits take time and cost, and there are aspects that are difficult for busy modern people to continue.
According to a 2024 health survey, people with tech neck symptoms answered that "I tried self-care but the effect did not last," showing that there are many cases where modern medicine and general care alone cannot sufficiently deal with chronic ailments.

As Another Form of Self-Care

As a new approach to overcome these limitations, I propose an approach using "Hotsuma characters," which are ancient Japanese divine characters.
Hotsuma characters are said to be unique Japanese characters used before Chinese characters were introduced to Japan, and are said to be a type of Woshite character.
These characters are not just phonetic symbols, but are said to harbor "kotodama" and "cosmic energy," and it is said that ancient Japanese people used them to express harmony with nature and the universe.
The approach of writing Hotsuma characters on the body is also said to be a qigong-like or vibrational approach that incorporates the vibrational energy possessed by these mysterious characters into the body to regulate the flow of qi, blood, and energy.

Hotsuma character therapy is expected to be a practical form of self-care that fuses ancient wisdom with modern needs, rather than just superstition or occultism.
This approach is said to enhance natural healing power by writing specific Hotsuma characters on acupressure points or areas of the body with ailments, allowing the unique vibrational energy of the characters to act on the energy lines within the body.
For example, for neck and shoulder stiffness, it is recommended to write characters on areas where energy gathers, such as the cervical region, around the shoulder blades, and the ball of the foot.
In my experiments, I feel that writing the Hotsuma character "chi" on the heel of the foot, in particular, helps to relax neck tension and supports the balancing of the whole body. This area is close to an important acupressure point called "Shitsumin" in Oriental medicine, and is considered suitable for adjusting the flow of energy and the autonomic nervous system.

Summary

From the perspective of modern science, while it is difficult to fully elucidate this mechanism, the possibility that vibrations and frequencies affect the human body is partially supported by research in sound wave therapy and biofeedback.
For example, it has been reported that sounds and vibrations at specific frequencies have the effect of relaxing muscle tension and regulating the autonomic nervous system.
The act of writing characters itself also has aspects that focus consciousness on the body, bringing about relaxation and mindfulness effects.

The appeal of this approach lies in its ability to address both the body and mind for chronic ailments that modern medicine cannot fully handle—such as unexplained neck heaviness, feelings of stress, and fatigue.
By writing Hotsuma characters, muscle tension and nerve compression caused by tech neck may be alleviated, and energy blockages may be cleared.
Furthermore, by touching upon ancient mysticism and cosmic views, it provides spiritual healing and a new perspective to the busy daily lives of modern people.
Of course, this therapy is not a medical procedure and is positioned as a complementary therapy. If severe tech neck or deformation of the cervical spine is suspected, it is essential to receive a diagnosis from an orthopedic surgeon or specialist. However, for daily ailments and stress, I believe Hotsuma character therapy is worth trying as an easy and safe method.