Work Posture Series: Cell Phone

Posture series blog! Posture is EXTREMELY important and can prevent injuries and decrease pain. So for today, let’s talk about cell phones and posture! Nowadays cell phones are a necessity! Cell phones are great for networking, work duties, and staying connected to your friends and family! It can also bring unwanted discomfort/pain or even injury from the way we use them. Below are 3 tips to help you avoid discomfort/pain and potential injury when using your cell phone:

1. Hold your phone closer to eye level. Sometimes we tend to hold our phone very low while texting/ typing. When this happens, our neck needs to bend far down so that we can see the screen. This posture puts a lot of pressure on the back of your neck, shoulders, and upper back. To take the pressure off those areas and try raising the device to be closer to eye level.

2. Don’t type with your thumbs. Your thumb was not designed to do a lot of fine motor movement. Even young people now are starting to develop osteoarthritis in their thumbs, a condition generally associated with older adults, from texting and typing on mobile devices and from gaming. So, let’s help your thumbs and take the pressure off. Use your index finger to type instead, or use swipe-to-type apps or voice-text.

3. Avoid holding your phone too tightly. Holding your device too tightly can be very taxing for your hands, wrists, and forearms. Over time with excessive gripping can lead to discomfort/pain and potentially an injury. So, hold your cell phone with a relaxed grip and straight wrists. You could also use a stand instead of holding the cell phone!

If you would like a posture assessment and learn ways to improve your posture to decrease discomfort and injury prevention, e-mail us today to schedule an appointment!

Prepared By: Britni Keitz Tester Education Date printed: 09/08/2021 Page 1 Disclaimer: This program provides exercises related to your condition that you can perform at home. As there is a risk of injury with any activity, use caution when performing exercises. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discontinue the exercises and contact your healthcare provider.

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