Walking Around & Thinking About Neck Pain
It was Monday afternoon and I outside walking with my son and dog while listening to the upcoming Exercise and Scoliosis CD. For those that have subscribed to the exercise and injury manuals, it will be ready to be mailed on Thursday. I was listing to the interview with Dr. Will Kalla. He commented on how university students that have scoliosis, if they continue to have poor posture while studying and doing computer work, the poor posture will make their scoliosis worse.
It got me thinking about computers and laptops.
In the 90s, there was a huge push to redesign one’s desktop computer workstation in order to decrease carpal tunnel syndrome. There has been very little talk or information on how laptops affect the body. With laptop use on the rise. I could not find the number but I am sure it is 60% or more. I know in my house we have two laptops and one desktops. Some universities are reporting 85% laptop use by students.
While my son was having a nap, I decided to do a little research to see if there has been much research on laptops and posture. I was blown away to see that the only one I could find was from 1997. If you know of something more resent, please post a comment below.
Do you remember how big and heavy a laptop was in 1997?
Have you seen how small the laptops are that university students are using?
There may not be much research but the research got me thinking about my neck clients plus I am presenting my Exercise Rehabilitation of the Neck course in Vancouver on April 26. So I am always looking for new information for the cousre.
To give you the what you need to know. Those that used laptops have greater neck flexion and head tilt than those that used a desktop computer.
Greater Neck Flexion
Look at the muscle of the neck. They are small. With greater neck flexion or bringing your chest closer to your chin, more load it put on these muscles. If the muscles can’t hold the load then the force gets put on the ligaments and other non-contractile tissues of the neck. If you have injuried your neck, you don’t need more force put on it.
Greater Head Tilt
When using a laptop, you get greater movement a the top of your cervical spine or neck. This great tilt leads to more load on the spine. Once again, if you have a neck injury, you don’t need to be putting more load or force on it.
The take home message, if you have a laptop and neck pain, don’t use it in your lap. Using a lap top leads to more head tip and neck flexion. This puts more force or load on your neck. An increase in force on your injuried neck will keep things irritate and slow down your clients recovery from a neck injury. When you are talking with your client and asking them what they do, make sure you ask if they use a laptop if they have a neck injury.
Enough reading and type. My son is awake, got to get back into the sun.
Feel free to comment on this blog post. Add research that you know about or add your own stories.
Thank you for reading.
- Rick Kaselj
Reference: A comparison of the postures assumed when using laptop computers and desktop computers. Straker L, Jones KJ, Miller J. Appl Ergon. 1997 Aug;28(4):263-8.
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