posted 31 ^st Mar 2019

There are currently more than 40 million iPad and tablet users in the UK, and as they are portable and lightweight, people are increasingly favouring them instead of more traditional devices such as laptops and televisions, which is resulting in neck and back injuries.

When using an iPad or tablet, people tend to slip into autopilot and end up in the familiar position; leaning forward without support, head bent down, and eyes close to the screen. 

Recent research, undertaken by the University of Nevada, has revealed that this posture can take quite the toll on the body and that scrunching your neck could actually limit the extent to which someone can turn their head.

Other possible consequences are muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, poor concentration, and long-term risk of injury to the vertebrae i.e. the bones that form your spinal column.

The study, which looked specifically at people experiencing "iPad neck", discovered that stiffness had less to do with the duration of use and more to do with poor posture. Gender was another factor, as women were more likely to own an iPad or tablet than men, and therefore at higher risk of experiencing pain.

Sarah Russell, Physiotherapist and Therapy Lead at Wrightington Hospital advises following the below steps to help you to stay injury free:

·         Sit with your back supported 

·         Use a iPad r tablet stand

·         Take regular breaks

·         Exercise to strengthen your neck, shoulder and upper back muscles

For simple and effective strengthening exercises, Sarah recommends visiting the below online resources to help avoid neck and back pain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24P7cTQjsVM&feature=youtu.be
https://www.csp.org.uk/publications/10-things-you-need-know-about-your-back
https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/back-pain-myth-busters
https://www.csp.org.uk/publications/drive-clear-pain

Wrightington Hospital’s Therapy Unit has a team of more than 60 therapists ranging from Physiotherapy Assistants to Specialist Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Podiatrists. The service benefits from a range of dedicated facilities including a gym, pool and NASA designed state-of-the anti-gravity ALTER G treadmill.

For more information please call 01257 256 305.

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