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In our modern society, you probably spend hours of time every day hunched over your phone or at your desk using your computer. Most people spend at least two hours a day on a mobile device and as much as eight to 10 hours in front of a computer screen at work. But do you every think about how are those activities affecting your body? 

Spending hours of time on your phone often makes people start to hunch over. Rounded shoulders and a misaligned spine are the cause, and they often lead to serious nerve pain. Since mobile technology has become widespread, nearly every patient now presents with this technology-induced neck and shoulder pain.

Sitting and Posture

When people have good spinal alignment, their posture is better and they can support the head’s weight properly. The head, neck, and shoulders are all pain-free, and they naturally walk with ease. A spine that is misaligned with the head and neck by even an inch can cause the head to feel like it weighs 5 to 10 pounds more than it actually weighs (see our article, What Using Your Phone Does to the Spine).

It can be difficult to cut down on technology use, especially if using technology is a part of your job.  But there are things you can do to help yourself have better posture:

• When sitting at your desk or at home on the couch, keep ergonomics and posture in mind. sit deep in the chair and align your body square with the computer screen. Keep your feet flat on the floor and provide a direct line of sight to your screen. Make sure you have a chair with good support for your back which is at the proper height for your body. It also helps to keep your computer screen at an angle and height which is natural for viewing.
• When using your phone, try not bow your head over the device. Instead, hold the device so it is slightly below eye level and look at it without bowing your head. It also helps if the font size is enlarged so that you can it comfortably from a distance of about a foot away.
• While you are at work, set an alarm to go off every hour. When the alarm sounds, get up from your desk and take a short 5-10 minute walk. This helps with blood flow to the lower parts of your body, posture, wrist pain, neck pain, and even with eye strain.
• Post images of proper alignment next to your computer screen as a visual reminder of how you should be sitting (like the one above). When you catch yourself slouching, extending your head beyond your neck, or following other poor posture habits tell yourself to re-align. It’s a neutral way to remind yourself to sit better for better spinal health.
• Get regular exercise to keep your body healthy. Building core muscles can help with back pain, and any extra pounds you are able to shed will also help combat back pain.
• Your acupuncture professional can also recommend positions for performing common work tasks that will maintain good spinal alignment.

Acupuncture for Pain from Bad Posture

Relief is possible for the pain that is associated with technology use and poor posture.  A visit to an acupuncture practitioner will relieve pain and muscle strain from technology overuse. Patients also receive guidance about good posture and ways to eliminate or mitigate the pain caused by our technology habits.You will find relief from your back, neck, head, and shoulder pain from regular acupuncture visits.

Getting Started

If you’re coping with the pain and discomfort that comes from technology overuse, contact us today to schedule a visit the professional acupuncture practitioners at Earley Wellness Group.