Smart use of smartphones helps avoid pain, injuries
Monday January 16, 2012
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The American Occupational Therapy Association has issued a tip sheet for smartphone users to avoid pain and structural problems that can arise from overuse.
The tips include the following:
• Keep messages short by using abbreviations and word predictions when typing. Take time to stop, rest your hands and perform gentle stretches.
• Do not cradle the phone between the neck and shoulder. Instead, use a speakerphone feature or hands-free ear devices.
• Switch hands frequently during extended phone conversations.
• Hold the phone in one hand and type with the other when text messaging to avoid straining thumbs.
• Look at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes to refocus eyes.
• Purchase a smartphone with the largest screen possible to minimize eyestrain.
• To avoid injury, do not use a smartphone while walking or driving.
"As technology advances and our lives become seemingly easier, we are discovering the devices intended to help us also have the potential to do us harm," Debbie Amini, OTR/L, EdD, CHT, C/NDT, director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., said in a news release.
"Smartphone fog, cellphone elbow and smartphone thumb are but a few of the maladies that were unheard of years ago, but have the potential to cause us discomfort and place us in danger today. To reap the benefits of our age of communication, there are several ways that we can surf, talk and play in a manner that does not lead to pain, numbness or situations much worse."
One issue is smartphones today are used for more than communication, Amini said. A wide array of apps available for gaming, information retrieval and learning potentially set the stage for hour upon hour of thumb use.
"Our thumbs were not created for the type of repetitive movement, static loading and joint compression that are called upon when utilizing these devices," Amini said. "I have personally experienced pain in my thumbs following a flight where I spent over an hour scrolling and tapping to play a game on my smartphone device. Limiting usage time, using alternate fingers and taking frequent rest breaks may decrease the incidence of pain and dysfunction in the thumbs."
AOTA's tip sheet, "Using Smart Phones Wisely: Prevent Pain" was developed by occupational therapy practitioners who specialize in hand therapy and ergonomics.
The tips include the following:
• Keep messages short by using abbreviations and word predictions when typing. Take time to stop, rest your hands and perform gentle stretches.
• Do not cradle the phone between the neck and shoulder. Instead, use a speakerphone feature or hands-free ear devices.
• Switch hands frequently during extended phone conversations.
• Hold the phone in one hand and type with the other when text messaging to avoid straining thumbs.
• Look at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes to refocus eyes.
• Purchase a smartphone with the largest screen possible to minimize eyestrain.
• To avoid injury, do not use a smartphone while walking or driving.
"As technology advances and our lives become seemingly easier, we are discovering the devices intended to help us also have the potential to do us harm," Debbie Amini, OTR/L, EdD, CHT, C/NDT, director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., said in a news release.
"Smartphone fog, cellphone elbow and smartphone thumb are but a few of the maladies that were unheard of years ago, but have the potential to cause us discomfort and place us in danger today. To reap the benefits of our age of communication, there are several ways that we can surf, talk and play in a manner that does not lead to pain, numbness or situations much worse."
One issue is smartphones today are used for more than communication, Amini said. A wide array of apps available for gaming, information retrieval and learning potentially set the stage for hour upon hour of thumb use.
"Our thumbs were not created for the type of repetitive movement, static loading and joint compression that are called upon when utilizing these devices," Amini said. "I have personally experienced pain in my thumbs following a flight where I spent over an hour scrolling and tapping to play a game on my smartphone device. Limiting usage time, using alternate fingers and taking frequent rest breaks may decrease the incidence of pain and dysfunction in the thumbs."
AOTA's tip sheet, "Using Smart Phones Wisely: Prevent Pain" was developed by occupational therapy practitioners who specialize in hand therapy and ergonomics.
Monday January 16, 2012
