Is it still possible to imagine life without a smartphone?
The device and its features are so integrated into our daily lives that it even appears to be an extension of our body. It would not be an exaggeration to say that one of the most emblematic images of this century is that of a person with his head down looking at his mobile phone. The problem is that this posture, which is seen everywhere, is not good for the cervical spine. “The head of an adult human being weighs about 6 kilos in the natural position, i.e. upright without bending or lifting. But when we tilt the head down, its effect on the cervical area of the spine is greater weight,” according to Dr . Bruno Aprile, spine specialist.
“If the inclination corresponds to 15°, the weight would be equivalent to 12 kg. At an angle of 30°, 18 kg. kg. And if we lower our head even more, arriving at 60°, as when we look at the cell phone, the weight can reach 27 kilos,” says the doctor. And today cell phones are used for everything. For working, paying bills, creating spreadsheets, watching movies and clips, taking pictures, sending and checking messages, listening to music, making shopping lists and even making phone calls! This means that we spend a lot of time during the day in this harmful position. “Made up of seven vertebrae, the cervical spine is the area of the spine that supports the head on the shoulders. The (upper) vertebrae and intervertebral discs are responsible for supporting and rotating movements of the head and neck, (while the others, for the support of the arms and shoulders which, due to the support they provide to the shoulder joints, are exposed to the onset of degenerative diseases, with herniated discs and arthrosis) and are subject to degenerative diseases, especially if subjected to overloads and excessive strain , explains the orthopedist. “Because of this bad posture, the person experiences pain in the neck region which may be accompanied by stiffness and muscle spasms,” says the doctor. In fact, using the cell phone is also hurting the back and common problems.The World Organization de Saúde (WHO), already considers the problem as a PANDEMIC.The world average of chronic pain in the population is 35% and 37% in Brazil. Nobody wants to spend the rest of their life in pain. Therefore, you can take some steps to avoid the problem. See Dr. Bruno’s advice below:
- As much as possible, use your cell phone less. It’s okay that it is a part of our life, but if you analyze it, you can reduce its use.
- Instead of lowering your head to look at your cell phone, bring it to your face by resting your elbows on the table if possible. Ideally, your jaw should form a 90-degree angle with your neck.
- Obviously stretching cannot be missing. How about, two or three times a day, repeating the movement of lifting your head, looking at the ceiling, and then returning it to the 90 degree position ten times? Simple, isn’t it?
- Strengthening the shoulder muscles makes the region less susceptible to pain. How to make this happen? Practice pilates and yoga, for example.
- Aerobic exercises, such as running and walking, help improve posture.
However, if the person feels pain in the region, they should seek an orthopedic doctor.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
