#OfficeHealth

Tech neck is rising among Thai students and office workers. Long hours on smartphones and laptops push the head forward, placing stress on the neck and upper back. A simple, evidence-based approach—combining mindful device use with targeted exercises—offers meaningful relief for busy lives.

Local observers note a growing trend. A recent survey found that about 46% of frequent device users reported neck discomfort in the past year. An upcoming 2025 review indicates that 69% of children and teens experience related symptoms from schoolwork and gaming on digital devices. Health professionals explain that sustained forward head posture strains spinal tissues and can trigger tension headaches and longer-term changes if left unaddressed.

As mobile device usage soars across Thailand, millions are experiencing the stiff, aching discomfort known as “tech neck”: pain and tightness in the neck and upper back caused by prolonged hunching over screens. Recent research and expert insights highlight that the cause is not the posture itself, but the number of hours spent in that position—and new evidence-based exercise routines offer hope for relief to digital natives and office workers alike (NYTimes, 2025).

A new wave of research is challenging the long-held belief that regular exercise alone is enough to protect the aging brain. The latest findings from a major Vanderbilt University-led study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, reveal that sitting for long hours each day can cause the brain to shrink—regardless of how much you exercise. This discovery has sparked global concern as it highlights the unseen dangers of modern, sedentary lifestyles, even among those who maintain healthy activity levels, and carries special significance for Thailand, a nation witnessing growing urbanization and longer working hours.

A major new study challenges the idea that exercise alone keeps the aging brain healthy. Researchers led by Vanderbilt University found that long daily sitting can lead to brain shrinkage, even among people who meet global exercise guidelines. The findings, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, highlight the hidden risks of sedentary living and are highly relevant to Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing, longer-working society.

Over 400 older adults were followed for up to seven years. Movement was measured with wrist-worn devices, and brain changes were tracked using MRI scans. Participants sat an average of about 13 hours per day. Alarmingly, those who achieved the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous activity still showed brain changes tied to prolonged sitting. The hippocampus, essential for memory, and the frontal and parietal lobes, which support decision‑making and language, were particularly affected. The study linked more sitting to thinner brain cortexes and faster brain aging, both risk factors for dementia.