We have iPods, iPhones, iPads and now we have iPosture!
An alarming number of 18 to 24-year olds are reporting back pain, and hand held electronics seem to be the cause. The pain is a product of the stooped body posture adopted by those who are texting, emailing or playing games on their iPods, iPhones, iPads and all other hand held electronic devices. The reported pain is leading to more lost work days per year as compared to previous generations.
When operating your gadgets, hold them out in front of you or view them on a table propped at an angle, and maintain good posture. Taking a break from viewing the screen every 15 minutes helps too. Stretch your neck, move your head from side to side, and shift your hands and weight (stand if seated, sit down if standing). Keep your shoulders relaxed, and elbows close to the body. Keep your hands, wrists, forearms and thighs parallel to the floor.
To minimize the stress on your spine, put down the electronics, take a break, stretch and see us for a spinal check to ensure you are not damaging your spine.
