Want to feel less tech neck stressed? Try strengthening your core
The research is not new -it was first published in 2016 - but it was covered in a recent TED talk and the press took note. The evidence shows that the stress of hunching over our devices is not psychosomatic.
“We demonstrate that two broad networks in the cerebral cortex have access to the adrenal medulla. The larger network includes all of the cortical motor areas in the frontal lobe and portions of somatosensory cortex...
These cortical areas are involved in higher-order aspects of cognition and affect....provide a concrete neural substrate for some psychosomatic illness.”
Slouching or hunching over tech all day leads not only to mental strain; the adrenals activate, which increases stress. Strengthening the abdominal muscles so that sitting upright all day becomes more natural is a powerful remedy.
The TED Talk is based on research published in the August 15, 2016 issue of PNAS. “Motor, cognitive, and affective areas of the cerebral cortex influence the adrenal medulla” by Richard P Dum, David J Levinthal, Peter L Strick outlines the experiments where viruses were used to trace the activity of the adrenal medulla to the cerebral cortex.
The adrenal medulla is the central area of the adrenals that releases adrenaline into the body, stimulating stress responses: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
The area of the brain that communicates with the adrenal glands also receives signals from the core muscles.
Thus, according to researcher Strict, a leading neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh, strengthening those muscles can modulate that stressful, fight-or-flight response.
Even scientist Strict noted that although is kids had recommended yoga, "I said, come on, you know, give me a break. I don't have time for this crap. But as it turns out, they're right."
Strengthening the abdominals can help keep the torso aligned, and prevent unnecessary adrenal stimulation, though core exercises that strain the low back can stress the adrenals unnecessarily.
One more reason - scientifically based - to try the low crunch abs and pelvic floor awareness series. The whole body approach to building up the obliques and six-pack allows you to gradually strengthen your core safely.