Ogden Massage and Bodywork: Change the Way You’re Using Your Gadgets, for Health’s Sake!
It seems like the technology industry is rolling out innovative and exciting devices all the time, and more and more people are clamoring for the newest cell phones, portable gaming equipment, and computer tablets, but most people don’t consider the health risks associated with overusing this kind of equipment.
It might seem strange, but you can actually get hurt using your cell phone or iPad. It’s called a repetitive stress injury (RSI) and new research shows the overuse of computer tablets can contribute to pain in the shoulder and neck areas. Most people don’t use headsets with their cell phones, and instead hold their phone to their ear, often cranking their neck in unnatural positions in the process.
Talking on a cell phone for long periods of time actually creates strain in the muscles around your neck and shoulders, which have a tendency to adapt to this shortened position. Getting a regular massage helps lengthen these shortened muscles and is known to do wonders for various RSIs. Massage therapists at Ogden Massage and Bodywork will combine several different modalities to tailor their treatment to your specific needs. Besides providing helpful tips related to diet and exercise that can help you with your specific RSI, these licensed massage therapists help you understand how to avoid or cut down on RSI’s altogether.
First, it’s very important to take frequent breaks from sitting at your desk or using your cell phone or iPad. It can be difficult for those that work at home or sit at a desk all day to pull themselves away while working, but repetitive stress injuries are common for people who sit in front of a computer screen all day.
Next, be sure to evaluate your posture occasionally to be sure you’re performing the task as ergonomically correct as possible. Compared to traditional desktop computers, using a computer tablet resting on your lap induces high head-and-neck flexion postures, so it’s recommended to use tablets in the table-movie configuration instead. This improves posture and brings your head and neck more toward a neutral position.
Lastly, if at all possible, try to incorporate cell phone headsets to eliminate the excessive and repetitive use of those neck and shoulder muscles. While it’s not a cure-all, these tips should at least help ease some of the pain associated with the consistent use of computers and all the new gadgets on the market.
ABOUT OGDEN MASSAGE AND BODYWORK
Ogden Massage and Bodywork is based in Ogden, Utah. This therapy studio has several licensed massage therapists on staff specializing in various areas of expertise. Area clients can attend workshops to learn more about the benefits of massage and bodywork relief. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.ogdenmassageandbodywork.com.
