Neurologist warns: every 15° head tilt doubles neck pressure — avoid using phones in bed
Anton Tikhonovsky warns that using a phone in bed increases pressure on the cervical spine with every 15° of head tilt, and advises sitting or lying with back and neck support and placing the device on a stand or stable pillow.
Neurologist Anton Tikhonovsky warned that tilting the head while using a phone in bed significantly increases pressure on the neck, stressing that every 15 degrees of tilt roughly doubles the load on the cervical vertebrae.
Tikhonovsky said the habit of using a phone in bed places extra pressure on the neck and back, especially when the user puts the device on their stomach or knees and keeps their head tilted for long periods, which leads to strain on the neck vertebrae.
He added that the most appropriate posture for using a phone in these cases is to sit or lie with firm support for the back and neck using a pillow at an angle of approximately 45 to 60 degrees, noting that this support reduces mechanical stress on the spine.
The doctor said the phone or tablet should not be placed on the stomach or knees because this forces the head to bend forward, and he reiterated that every 15 degrees of forward bend roughly doubles the pressure on the neck vertebrae. He recommended placing the device on a stable pillow or a special stand 30–40 centimetres from the face, at a level near the chest or chin.
His warning was not limited to physical aspects, pointing out that a comfortable position does not remove the emotional effect of continuous exposure to information. Tikhonovsky noted that excessive browsing of negative news in bed increases anxiety and stimulates secretion of the stress hormones cortisol and noradrenaline, which makes sleep more difficult and shallower, and if the habit continues it may lead to insomnia.
