Are You Feeling the Physical Effects of Smartphones?

Never before have we depended so much on technology to help us with everything in our daily lives. The problem is - an increase in technology may result in physical pain and a decrease in physical activity and movement. If you depend on technology like smartphones (and other devices like laptops, computers), consider the long-term impact on your posture, joint movements and muscle strength.

The truth is - innovation and technology are growing faster than anyone ever imagined. This makes it even more important to take care of the body, and protect it against the inadvertent, yet harmful effects of smartphones and other devices.

The Smart Step

If you spend several hours cradling the phone between your head and shoulder, simple things can save you a pain in the neck. For example, headsets, setting down the phone every 20 minutes and standing up from your desk, stretching the muscles every 30 minutes and taking a break to allow your eyes to relax are easy and powerful strategies to protect your body from the impact of smartphones. Although the impact of smartphones seems trivial, it is not something that should be taken lightly since it can result in pain, discomfort and lost productivity. 

If you are experiencing any discomfort, swelling, or pain as a result of your smartphone, there is a lot we as physical therapists can do for you to help make your relationship with your phone a more comfortable one. 

Some physical therapy treatments include:

• Splinting – Offers rest to the joints in the hands and restricts active movement, which facilitates healing.
• Hot/cold packs – Increase blood flow and reduce inflammation as needed.
• Muscle stretching - Muscles in the neck and hands can become tight, which results in movement restriction. Stretching exercises can help reduce pain and inflammation while increasing range of motion.
• Resistive exercises - An increase in muscle strength helps reduce pain and restore the ability to complete normal, daily activities.
• Manual therapy – Soft tissue massage (to target deep muscles in the neck and shoulder region) and joint mobilizations are specialized treatments by physical therapists. These treatments have a significant impact in pain relief and range of motion.