There are constantly new studies being conducted and research being released in relation to how we over-use our devices. Yes, your smart phone can be life changing when it comes to work, staying in touch with friends, and of course, sharing the content we love with like minded individuals. Instagram has become the Super Bowl stage of social media platforms; a place we can “oohhh” and “aahhh” over must have fashion, follow the journeys of those who inspire us, or inspire others with our own – and for these reasons, we are
always
on
our
phones.
Using your device is much like eating cake – it’s absolutely wonderful, but only in moderation. Although it’s delicious, after a while you start to notice what the cake is actually doing to you. First up, you’re addicted, so it’s time to set some serious boundaries. Secondly, most of the cake has gone to your thighs and now you’re blaming the amazing cake for being so amazing, when it’s no fault of the cake that it’s as damned delicious as it is! We’re so hooked on the beneficial aspects of our device that it’s clouding our awareness of the negative side effects it can cause. And guess what, it’s very likely you’re already experiencing the most common device-related injuries without even realizing why…
Tech Neck, appropriately named, is essentially degenerative neck changes caused by bad posture – a result of constantly looking down at our phones or laptops. After a while, the downward facing posture we adopt by looking at our phones can lead to muscle strain, disc injury, nerve damage and the potential for developing ongoing neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. Then there is the incurable side effect known as occipital neuralgia – a neurological condition where the nerves running from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp become compressed or inflamed. It generates the same sensations as severe headache or migraine, and can’t be cured! It can be treated only by steroid and numbing injections, yoga, and massage. So do yourself a favor, and control yo’ scroll!
Text Claw, or Carpal Tunnel as experts call it, is another side effect you may have already experienced. If the name isn’t enough to make you want to throw your phone to the ground and run away from it in overwhelming fear, then we’ll have to convince you with facts…
There are several tendons and a Median nerve that run from your forearm to your hand via a tiny little passage called the carpal tunnel. Mr Medians job is to control movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not the little one – he’s safe ????). Pressure on the median nerve causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and results in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness. Our hands are possibly the most complex engineering systems in our body, and considering we use them for literally everything we do(!!!) it’s crucial that we look after them. We don’t want to freak you out with Google images of the surgery required to relieve the symptoms of severe CTS, so we thought we’d share with you some extremely helpful techniques that can help treat and relieve symptoms of both Tech Neck and Text Claw…
Here are 7 helpful hand stretches that can help alleviate and prevent tech claw:
Forearm Stretch
Finger Flexion & Extension
Wrist Extension
Hand Flex
Claw Stretch
Thumb Touch
Wrist Flexion & Extension with weight
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