Are Your Electronics Reshaping You?
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us know too much screen time can be unhealthy. But as each day swirls ahead, inevitably we bend back to our screens and stay in touch with the world, either ignoring or accepting symptoms such as “text neck” as a real possibility.
What if this is Just the beginning?
Wired magazine had some fun with this recently, creating an unsightly tech monster that evolved from a steady rain of technological hits. Readers were asked to imagine how they might eventually look, if they continued to sabotage their bodies, staying glued to their screens 24-7.
For starters, there might be a “tech neck,” with layers of “turkey neck” skin flaps hanging below the chin. Then it gets worse, as Wired asks you to consider:
“Standing Desk Cankles” – Just when you thought you had office sitting whipped, swollen ankles may show up after standing too much.
“Texting Thumb” – Swollen, twitchy painful symptoms never completely let go.
“Smartphone Pinky” – Gradually the little finger curves to almost constantly support your phone.
You may spot more horrors if you take a look at yourself in a three-way mirror, or have someone take a picture of you using screens. Here are some more to watch for with self-correcting tips.
Screen Eyes – Reddened, dry, blurry eyes are a tipoff. Do regular eye checkups, take frequent screen breaks and consider getting extra computer glasses set up for the right distance in your workplace.
Forward Head Jut – If you look into a three-way mirror you may be appalled to see your head jutting forward ahead of your body. Doing posture exercises to sit, and stand up straight, keeping your head aligned with your body will help.
Leading Belly – You may be appalled to see a bulging belly marring your body image and crying for a posture correction.
The Turtle Shell - As you work, you may curl forward into a shoulder and back hunch. Do regular posture checks and chair exercises with shoulder rolls to self-correct.
Regular Check-Ups and Corrections
Self-monitoring can help you avoid a lot of the technological distortions. Practice regular chair and standing posture exercises. Keep looking in the mirror, and unplug to stay active. Pick what you do best and do it. Are you a dancer, golfer, biker or walker? Thread those activities through your regular schedule.
Chiropractic Help
If your electronic habits are already generating painful neck, back and spinal reactions, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic in your area for a complete spinal health checkup, backed up with the assistance you will need to seek pain relief and maintain good posture. No insurance or appointments are needed and convenient weekend and evening hours are available.