Is your smart phone or computer contributing to injury?

The use of smart phones, tablets and laptops for extended periods of time can have a detrimental affect posture..
Our physiotherapists at Melbourne Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy are seeing an increasing number of injuries due to poor posture, sedentary lifestyles and increased use of technology. People are spending an average of two to four hours a day with their heads down looking at a screen or device. Putting the body in sustained postures for extended periods of time puts excess strain on the muscles and joints of the neck and back. These increased stresses can contribute to neck pain, headaches and early degeneration, with office workers and students most at risk. Physiotherapists can help treat, manage and prevent postural injuries via manual therapy, specific postural exercises and ergonomic advice.

Below are two basic tips you can use to reduce postural pain whilst using a computer or device:

1. Avoid prolonged use of your device. Take breaks every 45mins-1hour, moving away from the screen. Some simple neck stretches or exercises as guided by your physiotherapist can be useful, such as turning your head to look over your shoulder, rotating over the back of your chair, or gently bringing your ear towards your shoulder.

2. Ensure you have optimal and ergonomic posture whilst using your computer or device. A desk and postural assessment by a physiotherapist can assist with this. You may also consider a standing desk for prolonged computer use; we suggest alternating standing/sitting 1 hourly.

If you are spending prolonged periods of time in front of a computer or using handheld devices, or would like some further advice contact us today for more information on how to treat and prevent postural injuries - www.mssphysio.com.au

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We come to you!

Image
The best part of mobile physiotherapy, we come to you! In this day and age, time is precious. People are busier at work and home, families have more commitments, and we all have less time to get to medical appointments. We all have smart phones and use them whilst "on the go" to shop online and make bookings, reducing the need to go to busy shopping centres, saving time and stress. As lives become busier we look for easier ways to do things. This is where mobile physiotherapy fits in.. Have you ever driven to a medical appointment while you're running late, only to find you can't get a carpark? Have you struggled to ensure your children sit still and behave with you are being seen? Have you ever sat in a waiting room for hours on end scrolling through your diary thinking about what else you need to do that day, what you need from the supermarket or stressing that you will be late for work? If this sounds like you, home physiotherapy could be the answer!
Read more