I was reminded of this the other day when I saw a guy on television with a phone held between his shoulder and his ear. The shoulder was hunched upwards and his head was bent sideways. If it’s a one time thing, no damage is likely to be done. On the other hand, if you do this all the time, you will end up with a sore neck and shoulder.
There are a few of options that could prove beneficial if you find yourself constantly talking on the phone while you are using your hands. Blutooth technology comes to mind, but speaker phones and/or a headset may be more practical. This is especially true if you work at a job that keeps you on the phone for hours on end.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably sitting in front of a computer. Take a moment to notice how you are sitting. Is your head looking down? Is your back in a slouch? If so, you can end up with some serious pain. It’s best to look straight ahead at your computer, to avoid pain in your neck, jaws and even eyes. As for the slouch, it can do a number on your spine from top to bottom.
Employers are often willing to help you correct problems like the phone position and monitor position. Making sure that everything is ergonomically correct saves millions of dollars in medical insurance and lost work hours. If you think this would be a benefit to you, don’t hesitate to ask.
How we sit in front of the television can be another source of future pain. The “TV Flop” can damage our backs, hips and knees. It’s so instinctive you may not know it while reading this. Check your posture when you do sit down in front of the TV set.
The driver of a car usually has good posture. It’s necessary to drive. However, the passengers don’t have to, and many don’t. I find myself sitting on one hip and leaning on the center console. If it’s a long drive, my hand falls asleep (more than once) and my hips and back start to hurt. That’s when I notice my posture and try to change it.
Changing something as instinctive as posture requires a lot of work, and the willingness to do it. The rewards are worth it, in the long run. You will have less pain as time goes on, just for making that one little change.