Ipad neck? A new condition arrives with a new electronic device.
The Ipad has become the tablet dejour for most people, with Apple selling millions of these devices the public internationally just ate up. Many of us have come to rely on these devices either at work or home for browsing the internet and more importantly, Facebook gaming.
My wife, who not only runs her home business on this using it to answer questions of her clients and communicate with her partner, is constantly on this. Of late, her most frequent complaint is neck pain. Typically, she sits on the couch typing into the surface of the device. Since she often plays Facebook games as well, she is constantly looking down at the device.
If this sounds familiar, it is because many people are also doing the same and noticing their neck may also be stiff and sore and they do not understand why.
Check out this recent NY Times post on the subject.
Really? Using an iPad Can Strain Your Neck
REALLY? |
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR| May 7, 2012, 2:02 PM
THE FACTS
More and more people are getting hooked on tablet computers like the iPad. By 2015, there may be as many as 80 million tablet users in the United States alone.
The simplicity of the sleek hand-held devices can make life easier. But for some, a tablet can literally be a pain in the neck.
In a recent study, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health looked at whether using a tablet in various seating configurations can cause head and neck strain. They found that using a tablet on your lap for extended periods may raise the risk of neck and shoulder discomfort and potentially musculoskeletal problems.
The scientists studied 15 experienced tablet users in their natural viewing positions. Placing a tablet on the lap created the greatest strain, the researchers found, because it forces the user to look down at a steep angle, causing head and neck flexion — a particular hazard for users who are doing a lot of typing.
People can hold tablets in a more upright position while watching a movie, but generally the screen has to be held flatter for the user to type, which causes more flexion and potentially more head and neck strain.
