Desktops, laptops – and now the iPad
I saw a regular client very recently who I treat bi-weekly for general preventative massage following the birth of her first child last year. Normally treatment is focused on easing the strains caused by lifting and carrying her little one each day. This time she asked me to look at her neck and shoulders which have caused her trouble in the past when spending long periods on her laptop.We discussed what had changed in her routines recently and was just about to remind her of the need for good posture and to remember to use laptop stands and remote keyboards when she said ‘I wonder if it is because I have been spending time on my iPad’ . I asked her to show me how she was using it and she appeared to be slightly hunched over – very similar to another client that I had seen just a few days previously. It got me thinking about how we use the wide variety of modern technology such as desktops, laptops, Blackberries, iphones etc. We all enjoy – and rely on – using these and will spend many uninterrupted hours focused on what we are doing without realising what we might be doing to our bodies. If you are using any of these gadgets then you need to take regular breaks, change your position and occasionally look up. Most people typically slump when using such equipment, thus our shoulders become rounded, putting greater strain on the joints and muscles in your neck and back, and shortening the muscles in your chest – not ideal!
Remember – take a break, sit back, straighten up, hold your shoulders back push the chest out a bit. If you have a habit of forgetting, build this into your day by using calender reminders and make an appointment with your body.
