2017 May | Page 8

MAY 2017
Prevent Text Neck
Text neck—upper back and neck pain
associated with prolonged mobile
device usage—is causing concern in
the medical community. Learn how
to recognize and prevent text neck
with these tips.
Protect Your Eyes From
the Summer Sun
Outdoor workers need protective
eyewear not just for work hazards,
but also for the sun and its UV rays.
Protect your eyes by taking these
recommended precautions.
Young patients who
shouldn’t yet have back
and neck issues are
reporting disk hernias
and alignment problems
related to prolonged
smartphone use.
Provided by Marshall & Sterling Insurance
© 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Prevent Text Neck
According to a recent report from The Spine Journal, surgeons are
noticing an increase in patients with text neck—upper back and neck
pain related to poor posture when using mobile devices. In fact, young
patients who shouldn’t yet have back and neck issues are reporting disk
hernias and alignment problems. As mobile device usage is relatively
recent, such injuries are unprecedented, and doctors are worried about
the effects of prolonged usage on people’s posture as they age.
In order to prevent text neck, ABC Client recommends the following
tips when using a smartphone or mobile device:
• Hold your mobile device at eye level to prevent stress on the
neck and spine.
• Take frequent breaks to lessen the strain on the neck.
• Use a desktop monitor at eye level when working on a laptop
for extended periods of time.
• Perform stretches throughout the day to improve blood
circulation and relieve tension caused by poor posture. Some
examples include rolling the shoulders or tilting the head to the
left and right.
• Use web versions of instant messaging services instead of the
mobile version. In doing so, you can avoid looking down at your
mobile device and maintain better posture.