Well this news really hits home since I am actually suffering from neck injuries as a result poor posture while either using my computer or my smartphone. A new study conducted by Doctor Kenneth Hansraj, Chief of Spine Surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation, reveals that heavy users of smartphones are likely to lead to degeneration of the spine that will more than likely require physical therapy, and possibly surgery.
It’s all in the tilting of your head, which puts tremendous pressure on your cervical spine. The image above tells you everything you need to know. The more you tilt your head down, the more pressure. As an example, a 15 degree tilt puts 27 pounds of pressure on your spine, while a 60 degree tilt is 60 pounds. That’s heavier than my 6 year old son.
The problem is how do we stop? We are more addicted to our smartphones than ever. According to the report the average person spends two to four hours a day with their heads tilted while using their smartphones and tablets. That works out to roughly 700 to 1,400 hours a year. It’s worse for high school students as they spend as much as 5,000 hours a year in this poor posture.
The only suggestion that Doctor Hansraj makes is to try to limit your use, but that’s easier said than done. Google Glass is looking pretty good right now isn’t it?
source: Assessment of Stresses in the Cervical Spine Caused by Posture and Position of the Head (PDF)
via: BGR
Come comment on this article: Excessive use of smartphones and tablets will cause spine injuries that could result in surgery
Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!
