It could be argued that our necks are the most important part of our whole body, as it is the thing that supports our head and brain. There are a lot of different conditions of the neck, but one uniquely modern condition is something called ‘tech neck.’
It may sound charming and amusing but it can actually lead to serious injury. Tech neck is the name given to strains and pains that are associated with the posture we have when looking at our mobile phones. We have a tendency to hold our phones well below eye level, and as a result, we force ourselves to look down at our phones. We spoke with TechQuarters, a provider of IT support services for businesses in the UK, they take the health of their users and their customers very seriously, and they discussed some of the risks that heavy use of technology can have if you do not use it correctly.
Tech Neck
As we said, our necks support the head, which is a heavy body part. The neck is designed to support our heads well, but only as long we are holding our heads at the right angle. It is estimated that every inch forward we crane our neck, an additional 10 pounds of pressure is placed on our necks. Some estimates say that the way we hold our smartphones means we are craning our neck to an unnatural 45-degree angle, which could be putting as much as 40 additional pounds of pressure on our neck.
The easiest way to avoid tech neck is to simply limit how much you look at your phone, and engage in regular exercise that supports good posture. When you do look at your phone, try to hold it more level with your head – this will raise your eye level, and keep your head at a more natural angle.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
These are probably the most well-known tech-related injuries because they are so prevalent among PC users. Repetitive movements can lead to pain in the muscles, nerves, and tendons of the body parts performing those movements. Actions like typing on a keyboard, or using a mouse, can lead to RSI in the forearms, wrists, and hands. Holding a certain posture can also lead to RSI in the neck and shoulders. TechQuarters, as one of the top IT support companies in London, cares a lot about educating people on RSI – they are one of the most common types of injuries in the UK due to how many office workers develop it.
One of the top solutions for RSI that TechQuarters recommends is ensuring you are taking regular breaks from your computer. Try to stand up and walk around regularly – some people recommend taking a short break (perhaps 30 seconds) every 30 minutes, to stand up and stretch, as well as a longer break (3-5 minutes) every hour. You should also try to move around as much as possible on your lunch break – avoid eating at your desk and go for a stroll instead.
Another way to mitigate RSI is to invest in ergonomic equipment. Many people are now resorting to dining chairs (or even the sofa) as their main work seat, due to home working trends. However, office chairs are specifically designed to support good posture. Additionally, ergonomic keyboards help keep your arms and wrists in the most neutral position, thus reducing strain. An ergonomic mouse will also help preserve your wrists. Finally, if you use a laptop, consider placing it on a raised surface to keep your eye level raised, and your neck in the right position. As part of their business IT support London services, TechQuarters often help their customers acquire these types of ergonomic equipment for their users. You should always consider requesting this equipment from your employer, as they have a responsibility to support your wellbeing when you are at work.
