Cell Phone Users Should Refrain From Looking Down
By Stephen R. Farris
Heads up all of you cell phone users. No, seriously, heads up!
The average human head weighs anywhere from 10 to 12 pounds, and when we look down at our cell phones to text or watch videos, for example, we literally add another 15 pounds -- give or take -- to that head weight total. It's no wonder more and more people are experiencing neck and upper back pain than ever before.
If you think that number is high, then tilt your head at varying degrees of angle to see your cell phone or tablet screen. A head tilt down at a 60-degree angle can equate to your head weighing 60 pounds. That's one pound per degree!
Practice Good Posture
If you begin to feel the slightest bit of pain in your neck, shoulders, and upper back, you should probably take a look at your posture, as well as begin holding your cell phone or tablet more at eye level. Remember, good posture requires you to stand up straight with knees slightly bent, shoulders back, head up, and chest out. If sitting a lot, then make sure to keep your feet on the floor, back against the chair and your head up. Slouching is not allowed, so practice good posture!
Other things you should consider when using your cell phone or tablet to help prevent neck, shoulder, and upper back pain is to not use those devices for long periods of computer work.
Digital Work
Sometimes it can't be helped due to crashes and/or power outages, but when it comes to diving into your digital work (website building, coding, design, photography, etc.) you should at least do the majority of it from a desktop or laptop computer. Imagine the whole head tilt poundage scenario mentioned earlier, then think how your upper body will feel if subjected to long periods of time with your head tilted down. Imagine all those minutes with a 40- to 50-pound weight attached. Not a very nice picture, is it?
The digital age has brought on a whole new set of medical conditions and it could get even worse in the future. Now is the time to take notice and help prevent any additional undue pain on our bodies.
When you are feeling that head tilt pain from extended cell phone and tablet use, visit your local chiropractor to get the pain relief you deserve for your neck, shoulders, and upper back.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Little Rock, Ark.