Pain? Blame your Mobile

It’s a familiar story, bad posture and computer use over many years produces a number of niggling aches and pains, and then they get worse when you get yourself a new mobile device such as a Blackberry.

According to Dr Ho Kok Yuen, an anesthesiologist and clinical director for pain management, instances of neck pain and shoulder pain are on the rise, and mobile gadgets are to blame.

Such instances have risen sharply in number in recent years and the scenario could actually be worse since in most cases people would visit a GP rather than a specialist for such aches and pains.

While it is the wrist and thumb that are most affected by the use of mobile gadgets, it can also adversely affect the back and the neck.

While most cases are helped by doing stretching and strengthening exercise, severe cases may need other treatments. These could include acupuncture, radio frequency treatment, and other treatments such as muscle trigger point injections, and facet joint steroids injections.

To avoid harm from hand held devices, you can –

• Limit time spent on them
• Watch your posture at all time
• Use both hands to type
• Don’t grip the device too hard when holding it
• Take frequent breaks and do stretches