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“Smart” Phones Lead to “Dumb” Pains

A Physical Therapist’s Perspective

By Jennifer Nicodemo-Capra, M.A., P.T. - Lighthouse Physical Therapy, P.C. June 6, 2013
“Smart”  Phones Lead to “Dumb”  Pains

Technology! What would we do without it? How does the modern day parent survive in these hectic times? By having a smart phone of course! We can multitask like no one’s business. Whether it be texting our friends to set up playdates, scheduling our family’s doctor’s appointments, making calls to school, taking pictures, showing our coupons or ordering online….We can do it all!  

Unfortunately, with this time saving phone, there can be a potential problem….pain!  Do you ever suffer from neck or shoulder pain? Headaches? Radiating pain or numbness that may include tingling or burning into your arms and hands? Do you have a stiff neck in the morning?  

You may have a simple overuse injury from using your smart phone too much.

Our society is getting more sedentary. Technology has promoted us to sit more, flexing our neck and trunk. We do a lot of “bad” flexing. This causes pressure on the discs of the neck and can also compress the muscles at the base of our skull.  Many of our nerves that control our arm muscles start in the neck. If our neck is in a poor position, this can cause strain on the nerves to the arms. You may suffer from tingling, numbness, burning or achy pain in your arms or hands.  

All of this is fixable!

First, monitor your posture and habits with your phone. Keep a mental diary of when your symptoms are worse, and when they are better.  Next, make an appointment with your physical therapist. A physical therapist will help you with modifying your posture and your environment, including taking a look at your alignment where you sit at work, the seat of your car, how you lift and hold your baby, and how you use your smart phone. Physical Therapists also are experts in stretching muscles of your neck, chest, shoulders and shoulder blades. Strengthening your upper back along with cervical traction may help with disc-related symptoms, such as tingling arms.


Soft-tissue mobilization will help tight muscles to relax.  Modalities such as heat, electrical stimulation and ultrasound will alleviate your pain, and increase blood flow to tired muscles.   

So don’t ignore early symptoms, conservative treatment with physical therapy will help, and usually cure, your multitasking “dumb” pains from your “smart” phone. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Lighthouse Physical Therapy, P.C. at (631) 440-7678.


Jennifer Capra,M.A.,P.T.
Lighthouse Physical Therapy, P.C.
www.lighthousept.net
Email Jennifer

Phone: (631) 440-PORT (7678)
Fax: (631) 331-0320