Technology Can Really Be a Pain!

By Donna Stark 

You may have mastered the art of texting, surfing, and shopping on your cell phone, but unfortunately, you may have also put yourself at risk for pain in your neck, back, hands, and head during the process. Advancements in technology have certainly changed the way we interact with each other and the world, mostly for the better, but that doesn't mean there aren't some serious side effects that come with it too. Side effects from phone use? You'd be surprised! Aside from the psychological aspects, using our handheld devices too much can cause physical problems as well. Let's take a look at a couple of examples.

Neck and Back Pain

At first, it may not make sense how holding something in your hands can cause problems to your back and neck, but if you imagine your head being a bowling ball, it may be easier to understand. Your head weighs an average of 10 pounds, so when you lean your neck forward and angle your head down, it is easy to imagine how that weight can place extra stress on your spine and neck. Now stop imagining, because that's exactly what is happening for real. Stress, strain, and tension ... curved shoulders and a hunched-over position. None of that is good for your body, so instead of looking down at your device, adjust your posture and bring your device up to eye level if you can.

Hand Pain

Repetitive motion injuries are very common and can affect any part of your body, including your hands! The repetitive motions of texting and typing can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and inflammation and may even exacerbate the symptoms of conditions such as osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. It's important to give your hands plenty of breaks, so put the phone down, or at the very least, incorporate the use of a stylus throughout the day.

Head Pain

Staring at that bright, little screen on your phone for hours every day can be a contributing factor of headache and migraine pain. Think about it. Your eyes are straining to read what is on the screen, you are straining your neck while looking down at the device, and your brain is straining to process the never-ending river of information being sent to you all of the time. No wonder your head hurts! Give yourself a break and take a digital detox today.

Mastering Pain-Free Days

Nobody is going to tell you to get rid of your cell phone, but if you suffer from neck, back, hand, or head pain, you may want to consider some alternative behaviors during the times that you use it. Being a master at texting will never be as much fun as being a master of your days, and with some simple changes to your lifestyle, those days can be pain-free!

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