Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, an orthopedic surgeon in Poughkeepsie, NY, was cited in a recent article in Good Housekeeping regarding our obsessive and epidemic problem with neck posture and cell phone usage. A computer model analysis showed how compromised posture with usage may take a toll on one’s health.The average head weighs approximately 10-12 pounds, so in the neutral position, that weight would translate into the same as downward force on the neck components, namely the vertebrae, discs, nerves and other soft tissues.At just a 15 degree forward head tilt, the impact is elevated to 27 pounds. With a 30 degree tilt, the downward force is now at 40 pounds. With a 45 degree, the force increases to 49 pounds and with a 60 degree head tilt, the force tops out at 60 pounds. If you have difficulty in figuring out the degrees, if you tilt your head forward so that your neck is at a right angle with your back, that’s 90 degrees. Then, come up half way to get to 45, and you can get a feel for the rest of the positions.
So, what can you do?
- Carry your device at chest height, with the head up, chest open and shoulder blades back. Imagine a helium balloon attached by a string to your chest and lifting you to a straighter posture. Use your eyes for movement rather than your head.
- Take a break every 5 minutes and look up, down and rotate right and left. Remember, your neck is part of a living entity that likes motion.
- Try to avoid being CDO (that’s OCD in alphabetical order) about having to be on your device constantly.
Headaches, neck pain, numbness and tingling sensations in the arms and hands and jaw pain can really be annoying, distracting and severely affect your productivity. By simply being more cognizant of your posture in this age of technology, you can make your life much more enjoyable!
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