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How often do you look at your phone? Is it a habit to open
up a game of solitaire or Candy Crush while waiting in line or riding a
bus? For many people it is. These people
are part of a generation affectionately nicked-named the "bow head tribe".
Image Credit:
Segment.com
A study was
recently released by The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, which looked at the health effects of using
smartphones and portable electronic devices among Hong Kong people.
Final results show that out of 1.049 people surveyed, 70% of
adults and 30% of children and adolescents have reported musculoskeletal
symptoms in different parts of the body in relation to the use of electronic
devices. The study took place over three years and surveyed adults and children
on the time spent on electronic devices, the tasks performed and the postures
adopted in their daily use.
The first phase of the study was done with 465 adults,
including some college students and full-time workers. Among them, 90% were
daily smartphone users and more than half the group reported having experienced
neck, shoulder, and wrist/finger pain. Many of the respondents also noted that
they use at least one device for long periods of time, leading to a static
posture and an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms in
different parts of the body.
The second phase was done with students aged 10 to 15. Over
80% of the students were regular users of smartphones and reported using their
phones for 1-4 hours a day. This group also reported high cases of
musculoskeletal discomfort throughout their body.
Although the prevalence rate is lower for the children,
young students' obsession with electronic games may suffer adverse health
effects in the long run. The "poking-chin" posture, kyphotic back and rounded
shoulders, associated with using electronic devices such as tablets, may become
fixed postural habits.
Students are also more likely to suffer from inflamed
tendons and articular degeneration in the thumb joint and index fingers due to
excessive texting and touch functions on phones and tablets. Even through the
actions are light, frequent repetitive actions could lead to excessive strains
in the finger joints and tendons.
The study recommends seeing a physiotherapist to learn
appropriate stretching exercises in order to improve or prevent pain, as well
as promoting physical and mental health. But you can also just take a break
from screen staring; go for a walk, stretch, or use a standing work station to
prevent developing "poking - chin posture".
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Re: The Pain of Technology
