Health And Me Desk

Your Laptop Could Be Changing Your Neck's Shape: What Hours Of Looking Down Are Doing To Your Spine?

For people who work, laptops and computers are something we use every day. Sitting in front of a screen for hours can be bad for your <span>neck</span> and spine. When you sit and use your laptop the way you position yourself can hurt your neck over time. 

This is true even when you are just scrolling on your phone. Keeping your head bent for a long time can put stress on the muscles and joints in your neck. 

<h2>How Looking Down At Screens Strains Your Neck</h2>

The problem is not the laptop itself but how we use it. Many people spend hours looking down at a screen without realizing it. This can cause muscle fatigue, stiffness, headaches and neck pain that will not go away. 

Your neck is meant to support your head and let you move it around. When you keep your head tilted forward for hours the muscles in your neck have to work hard to keep it that way. Over time this can cause discomfort. Make it harder to move your neck. 

If you sit with posture it can also affect the normal curve of your neck. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/working-throughout-pregnancy-whats-safe-and-what-isnt-article-155925805" data-type="tilCustomLink">Poor posture</a> may not cause spinal problems on its own but it can cause wear and discomfort. This is especially true for people who already have neck or spine problems. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-hidden-health-risk-of-sitting-for-long-hours-what-young-professionals-need-to-know-article-155926694" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Hidden Health Risk of Sitting for Long Hours: What Young Professionals Need to Know</a>

<h2>Small Workspace Changes Can Reduce Neck Strain </h2>

One simple way to reduce <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/osteoporosis-drugs-offer-new-hope-for-back-pain-by-blocking-disc-mineralisation-study-article-155408905" data-type="tilCustomLink">strain on your neck</a> is to make your workspace more comfortable. Your laptop or monitor should be at eye level so you do not have to look down all the time. Your <span>back</span> should be. Your arms should be comfortable too. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Do not sit still for too long. 

It is also important to move regularly. Of sitting for hours get up and move every 30-40 minutes. Stand up walk around and move your neck and shoulders gently. This can help prevent stiffness and reduce strain on your neck. Your neck is meant to move not be stuck in one position for hours. 

Lifestyle Doctor Reveals the Biggest Health Mistakes Indians Make | Full Podcast

<h2>When Neck Pain Should Not Be Ignored?</h2>

If your neck is stiff after a day, it may feel better with rest and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/walking-becomes-harder-with-age-not-just-due-to-weaker-muscles-study-says-your-ankles-may-be-to-blame-too-article-155708009" data-type="tilCustomLink">better posture</a>. If the pain gets worse or does not go away, you should see a doctor. If you have pain in your arm or if your arm feels numb tingling or weak you should see a doctor too. 

To protect your neck, you do not have to make changes. Just make small adjustments to how you sit and use your laptop and move around more during the day. This can make using your laptop more comfortable. Reduce strain, on your neck and spine. 

<strong><em>By Dr. Zahir Abbas Merchant, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai</em></strong>

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For people who work, laptops and computers are something we use every day. Sitting in front of a screen for hours can be bad for your neck and spine. When you sit and use your laptop the way you position yourself can hurt your neck over time. This is true even when you are just scrolling on your phone. Keeping your head bent for a long time can put stress on the muscles and joints in your neck. How Looking Down At Screens Strains Your NeckThe problem is not the laptop itself but how we use it. Many people spend hours looking down at a screen without realizing it. This can cause muscle fatigue, stiffness, headaches and neck pain that will not go away. Your neck is meant to support your head and let you move it around. When you keep your head tilted forward for hours the muscles in your neck have to work hard to keep it that way. Over time this can cause discomfort. Make it harder to move your neck. If you sit with posture it can also affect the normal curve of your neck. Poor posture may not cause spinal problems on its own but it can cause wear and discomfort. This is especially true for people who already have neck or spine problems. Also read: The Hidden Health Risk of Sitting for Long Hours: What Young Professionals Need to KnowSmall Workspace Changes Can Reduce Neck Strain One simple way to reduce strain on your neck is to make your workspace more comfortable. Your laptop or monitor should be at eye level so you do not have to look down all the time. Your back should be. Your arms should be comfortable too. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Do not sit still for too long. It is also important to move regularly. Of sitting for hours get up and move every 30-40 minutes. Stand up walk around and move your neck and shoulders gently. This can help prevent stiffness and reduce strain on your neck. Your neck is meant to move not be stuck in one position for hours.             When Neck Pain Should Not Be Ignored?If your neck is stiff after a day, it may feel better with rest and better posture. If the pain gets worse or does not go away, you should see a doctor. If you have pain in your arm or if your arm feels numb tingling or weak you should see a doctor too. To protect your neck, you do not have to make changes. Just make small adjustments to how you sit and use your laptop and move around more during the day. This can make using your laptop more comfortable. Reduce strain, on your neck and spine. By Dr. Zahir Abbas Merchant, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai

your laptop could be changing your neck's shape: what hours of looking down are doing to your spine?

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