A recent study completed in China showed that 41% of students who used their ipads or tablet computers were more prone to getting neck and shoulder pain. The study was published in the medical journal Spine and used questionnaires from 2842 high school student in 30 schools in Shanghai China.
Dr. Zhao Qinghua one of the experts in the study stated that "Neck and spine pain can impact life quality and cause further damage to spine in the future,"His goal was to help teenage kids overcome neck and shoulder pain.
Dr. Zhao stated that he sees over 10 university students for neck and shoulder pain every day while working at the hospital's branch near a college town.
In China, the last year of high school can be extra stressful because students are preparing for college entrance exams. This is a major cause for spine problems in China.
"Data showed that students with less academic stress have lower prevalence of neck and shoulder pain than other students," Dr.Zhao said. If you compare other countries, China's students have more academic pressure. In the Netherlands, only 11.5 percent of teenagers suffer from neck and shoulder pain.
While other activities (such as watching tv or playing video games) can be the cause of neck and shoulder pain, long term use of a tablet computer can do more damage to the neck and shoulder areas.
Zhao stated that particularly using a tablet type of computer such as the ipad can be harmful "Because people only use one hand while using iPad and lie on the bed instead of sitting proper on a chair, which is bad for the spine,"
The study further found that using an iPad for over 1.5 hours per day or facing a screen six to 10 hours per week is highly risky.
Proper neck support is Vital for Good Posture and No Neck Pain
There are many ways to optimize the neck support you are getting- by using the right neck pillow, by exercising good neck posture and even by sitting properly in the car or sleeping at night. It is easy to fall into a pattern of neck pain, stiffness, achiness and overall neck pain discomfort. This blog post will discuss ways to make sure you are are optimizing the support you need in the cervical spine- or NECK as we all know it!
Stop the Neck Pain that stops your life in its tracks.
Find a solution for your neck pain.
Neck pain can really hinder you and the activities you do in your life. If you have ever suffered from a bout of neck pain, than you know that it is a real pain in the neck. It is something that occupies your mind constantly. How do i get rid of it and what can i use to get rid of it? Neck pain will affect your sleep, your driving, your working on the computer and everything else in your life. It can stop you from exercising and doing the activities and hobbies you love.
For Short Term pain relief in the neck, use a towel to get the support you need.
How to Create Towel Roll for Neck Support
Chiropractor from Glastonbury Shows you to Easily Create Neck Support
You can do this with existing neck pillow that you have at home as well to get the neck support that you need.
Use a Supportive Neck Pillow at Night
Choosing the Right Neck Pillow is Very Important
Getting the right neck pillow for sleep can be difficult. These days everyone on TV thinks they have the "Magic Pillow"- Dr Oz talks about it, The Doctors Talked about it,and I am sure you have seen the commercial for the Total Pillow too. Getting the neck pillow means getting the right support in your neck. Imagine taking a soft towel, rolling that up, and putting that behind your neck- this would simulate neck support that is vital for proper posture and support of the cervical spine. Dr. Bellinger, a Chiropractor In Glastonbury created a video a few years back showing his patients how to create this towel roll (See Above). When choosing the neck pillow, get one that give you that "roll" that you need in the neck. This ensures that you will have the proper C Curve when sleeping- whether on your side or on your back. A supportive neck pillow should accommodate you in all positions.
Wrenching or cranking your neck while sleeping in an awkward position will set you back- it will bring the neck pain back every morning.
Don't Sleep on your Stomach or in another Weird Compromising Neck Position
Sleeping on a couch also is not recommended !
Sleeping on your stomach can create tension, stiffness, and pain in the neck. It stretches muscles and ligaments that really should not be stretched in that way. Avoid it all costs. Especially,the next time you decide to sleep on your friends couch.
Make sure your neck is supported while Driving
This also means watch your neck and back support while sitting at the computer
For some people they spend a lot of time in there car. There are a few things you can do to make your car ride more comfortable. Most importantly, make sure that the headrest part of your car seat is UP. This also prevents things like whiplash from taking place. Whiplash can be the cause of neck pain for many years.
Have Good Neck Posture Throughout the Day
Watch that Forward Head Carriage
Habits can be hard to break. Especially the habit of forward head posture. You don't even realize that you are doing it after a while. Imagine a 10 lb bowling ball- this is the average wt of the human head. When it sits on the head in a neutral position- it is 10 lbs. The body can handle that. In fact, the body is designed to do that. Now imagine if your neck posture is off or you have forward head carriage. Your chin just out- your head moves forward. What happens to that 10 Lbs. Now this is more like your neck, shoulder, and upper body having to juggle 100 lbs. Forward head posture can be very dangerous, and it can be root of a lot of neck pain.
Stretch Your Neck for Comfort and relief- Let the nerves breathe and get the proper nutrients.
Stretch Your Neck with Neck Traction
Help get that C- Curve Back into Your Cervical Spine
Neck Traction- When I say this people run for the door. They think about these dinosaur contraptions that look like you are pulling a tooth from a pained patient! Yes,the over the door traction units were the original type of neck traction. They can be slightly painful, and something can cause jaw pain. Recently though many new type of neck traction have surfaced that are much more comfortable and user friendly.As a bonus, they help to the C Curve back into your neck. Two example of this are the posture pump 1000 and the pronex pneumatic traction unit.
Do Neck Strengthening Exercises
Movement is life - Make your Body Stronger
Strengthening exercises are very important. Just like an athlete conditions himself herself to make their bodies the best that they can be- well you can do the same with your neck muscles. You can become stronger, thus making it less likely that you will injure yourself. Click here for strengthening exercises for the neck. This arc4life page also features important stretching exercises that are important as well.
