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Do You Know What Twalking Is?

By Donna Stark

You may hear a lot about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving but your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want to bring another risky behavior to your attention too. It's called distracted walking, or twalking (yes, that really is a word), and it is causing serious issues on sidewalks and pathways across the entire nation. Take a look.

What is Twalking?

If you are unsure what twalking is, just take a step outside. Twalking is the word used to describe those people who are looking down at their phones while walking. They may be texting, reading, selecting music, or playing a game, but whatever they are doing, it's enough to distract them from what they really should be doing, which is paying attention to their surroundings. It's also enough to cause significant injuries, especially if they are wearing headphones too. Here are some of the most common ways people have been getting injured while twalking.

  • Walking in front of a moving car
  • Tripping and falling over curbs, sidewalks, or other obstacles
  • Stepping in a hole or a crack in the sidewalk
  • Running into a sign, tree limb, or lamp post head first
  • Running into other pedestrians or doors

Twalking Injuries

If you are having a hard time imagining all of the risks associated with distracted walking, take a look at the list below. Some of them might surprise you.

  • Cuts, bumps, and bruises
  • Sprains and strains
  • Fractures
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions
  • Brain and spinal cord injuries
  • Death

How to Stay Safe While Walking

You need to constantly be alert of your surroundings when you are walking if you want to keep yourself and others safe. Here are some tips on how to do so.

  • Take a break and stop - Avoid walking while using your phone. If you have to make a call or respond by text, stop and move to the side so you are out of the way.
  • Allow only phone calls - If you can't afford to completely stop walking, limit your usage to phone calls only and keep your eyes up and looking forward, especially when you get to a curb, crosswalk, or flight of stairs.
  • Skip the headphones - Try to avoid wearing headphones and earbuds, but if you can't, keep the volume turned down low. Make sure you can still hear the sounds of people and traffic around you.

Following the Rules

By removing all of your distractions, you shouldn't have any problems following the rules of the road and staying safe! So, keep your phone in your bag, briefcase, or pocket, and pay attention to everything around you. You might actually like what you see.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wheaton, Ill.

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