Like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, but less scientific ∞

Nick Ng on that ridiculous texting = back pain claim::

A recent story on CBS News touted the belief that texting with your head jutted forward and downward — like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo — could lead to back pain. The premise is based on a study by Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, who claims in the study that stress in the cervical spine from texting may lead to “early wear, tear, degeneration, and possible surgeries.” Hansraj noted that flexing your neck forward at 60 degrees to check your messages places about 60 pounds of pressure upon your cervical spine.

Hansraj’s claims are, however, inconsistent with current pain science and ignores current evidence that show a very weak correlation between poor posture and pain.

Ironically, Scooby-Doo was a surprisingly science-minded and skeptical show.