Tech(nology) Neck

A recent article on CNET.com gives a great description of what all of our world’s technology is doing to our bodies. While we are texting our friends about tonight’s dinner plans, typing a report on our laptops, or responding to a work email, we are providing a beating not only to our bodies physically, but also to how our brains respond to our environment.  With our growing use of various technologies, we are placing more stress on our necks, thumbs, eyes, and back. Not only that, but it can contribute to things like poor quality of sleep, decreased memory, and decreased focus.

Technology use can also result in poor posture. This can impact lung capacity, which, in turn, can create many other problems. According to CNET’s article, people who spend more than 4 hours per day in front of a screen are at an increased risk of both short-term and chronic pain. And if you use a smart-phone? Depending on what position you have your head and neck, you could be adding up to an additional 60 pounds of force on your neck!

(Photo courtesy of The Washington Post and Dr. Ken Hansraj M.D.)

An article from The Washington Post provides additional information about the problems caused by working with technology. They report that the average person will spend 700 to 1,400 hours per year in these positions. If you’re a high school student, they project an additional 5,000 hours per year!

So what can you do about it, aside from just taking a break periodically? It’s important that you also do some activities or exercises to balance out these extra stressors. Make sure that you’re working on improving your posture. Do other mentally stimulating activities that don’t require screen-time.  Not sure what to do, or finding that what you are doing isn’t enough? Come in and see our physical therapist at Back in Step Physical Therapy to get assessed, and we’ll create a custom program for you. Contact us here.