Today, laptop usage is one of the most indispensable technologies in people’s everyday life from work and learning to entertainment. However, how we utilize them has the potential of affecting our physical health especially our spine. Since use of laptops causes most people to adopt wrong posture and develop discomfort after a long time, it is essential to understand how it impacts our spinal column and measures taken to correct it.
Table of Contents
Toggle
Frequent use of laptop means that it involves a lot of sitting in a chair and this in most cases causes poor posture. Typical issues include:
Slouching: If the person leans forward towards the screen then it leads to slouching of shoulders and a bent back.
Hunching: This position may cause the person to lean over the keyboard for long periods, which is dangerous to the spine as it results in hunched back.
These postural challenges contribute to various spinal issues, including:These postural challenges contribute to various spinal issues, including:
Neck Pain: This is also referred to as “text neck” – an ailment that is as a result of bending forward to look at the screen for long.
Upper Back Pain: Some of the issues that can be caused by tension and muscle strain in the upper back include poor posture and typing for long hours.
Lower Back Pain: Failure to find the right support while sitting for long hours will compromise the lower back thus causing discomfort or even chronic pain.
Musculoskeletal Strain
Laptop use also causes musculoskeletal strain and this is prevalent when the use is extended for a long time. These problems are further compounded by the fact that most working environments are not ergonomically constructed. Inappropriately designed chairs, improperly positioned desks, and a wrong placement of screens causes strain on the spine and the surrounding muscles.
Following ergonomic principles at the workplace improves the working conditions especially on the spine muscles. Consider the following adjustments:
Chair: Select a chair that has correct lumbar support which is the curvature of the lower back.
Desk Height: Tilt your chair so that when you type your elbows are parallel to the ground.
Screen Position: Make sure the top edge of the monitor is at, or slightly below, eye level so that the user has little need to bend his or her head down.
Maintaining good posture is essential for spine health: Maintaining good posture is essential for spine health:
Sit Back in Your Chair: Your back should be supported by the back of your chair.
Feet Flat on the Floor: Make sure that your feet have to be flat on the floor or on the footrest in order to have correct posture.
Shoulders Relaxed: Do not bend your shoulders or lean forward in the way you sit.
Incorporate breaks and movement into your routine: Incorporate breaks and movement into your routine:
Stand Up and Stretch: Get up from your desk every half an hour to an hour to twist your back and neck. There are simple exercises like stretching that helps to reduce muscle strain.
Walk Around: Make it a point to move around every half an hour to ensure that you do not get stiff.
Exercises: Perform exercises that help to tone your muscles in the abdomen and your back so that you are able to maintain the right posture.
Consider investing in ergonomic accessories to enhance comfort: Consider investing in ergonomic accessories to enhance comfort:
External Keyboard and Mouse: If the keyboard is external, it is better to type with your hands and use a mouse in a more natural position for hands and arms.
Laptop Stand: For this, it is recommended that you lift the laptop to screen height in order to minimize stress on the neck.
Concern has been raised on the effect of laptop use on the spine wellbeing given the long hours people spend working on the gadgets. It is clear, that in case you know about possible problems and change your workstation and position at work in advance, the risk of spine problems will be lower. By practicing ergonomics and following some simple pointers like ensuring that one maintains good posture, taking regular breaks and using supportive accessories when working, then the spine can be kept healthy.
Remember, it is possible to gradually change your habits in the use of the laptop and in the long-run, you will reap great benefits for your spine. Therefore, maintain your posture today so that you do not have to suffer from back pain in the future.
LAHORE SPINE CARE is proudly powered by WordPress