Did You Know The Ipad Neck Can Be A Pain? Know How! 

The inescapable reality of today is that the number of hours spent on iPads, smartphones, or other touch screens has skyrocketed, whether at work or home. This causes people to tilt and slouch their heads for long durations. 

Commonly known as iPad Neck or Tablet Neck, a condition of constant neck pain and shoulder problems due to sitting without back support and slouching. It is not the hours that matter, and it's the posture while doing the screen time that is the biggest reason behind the neck pain. 

A new study published in the journal of physical therapy reveals gender and posture are significant factors in musculoskeletal symptoms during touch screen tablet computer or iPad use.

The study was conducted on 412 participants, showing that there was a 67.9% prevalence of neck symptoms (neck: 84.6%; shoulder/upper extremity: 65.4%) during tablet use. Further analysis showed that the odds for females to have symptoms were 2.059 times higher than males. The effect of too much screen time is directly responsible for neck pain. 

Studies have also suggested that looking down on screens or smartphones at an angle results in placing an effective weight on the neck ranging from 27 lb weight at a 15-degree angle to 60 lb at 60 degrees, and continued usage stresses your spine that may lead to wear and tear and possible surgery. 

There are various ways to ease this everyday Ipad neck pain

1. Neck & Back Pain Support Chair

Neck and back support is a good way to sustain good posture and prevent you from slouching with the iPad or tablet in your lap. Choose a good chair that helps you support the right posture. Since we sit almost 8 hours working, a good neck and back support chair is a necessity. 

2. Posture Reminder Devices

Great posture comes from a combination of anatomy, muscular endurance, and correct neuromuscular patterns. Posture reminder devices can help you achieve that. These devices check on you every day and nudge you to the target posture when you start to slouch, helping you to rewire the muscular patterns for better posture. Refrain from placing the tablet on a flat surface, as it invites people to slouch and results in iPad neck pain. Instead, use a stand or hold up the device to decrease the angle of your neck while using it. 

3. Strength Training Exercises For Lower Back Pain Relief

Exercises to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, such as arm rows, upright rows, or reverse flies, help improve muscular strength and ease neck and lower back pain. Regular stretches help reduce stiff necks. 

4. Use Natural Topical Pain Relief Gels Or Creams

Using anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicines helps reduce pain, but chronic use may have its own set of side effects. Instead, use a topical gel such as ThioQuest Gel, a quick relief gel that helps reduce pain and spasm. 

It contains natural extracts of thiocolchicoside, an extract of gloriosa superba, which has effective muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory properties. ThioQuest Gel is non-greasy and non-staining and helps reduce ipad neck pain, shoulder pain and lower back pain.

From the blackberry thumb (repetitive strain injury caused by texting), iPad Hand (pain caused by swiping and typing) to 'iPad Neck', the list of ailments seem to be inevitable and expanding with every new technological invention. It is wise to use them smartly! 

The article is based on the information available in public and which the author believes to be true. The author is not disseminating any information which the author believes or knows is confidential or in conflict with the privacy of any person. The views expressed or information supplied through this article is mere opinion and observation of the author. The author does not intend to defame, insult or cause loss or damage to anyone, in any manner, through this article.