| In our chiropractic clinics I see many patients each | | | | part of computer work but it does not have to be. |
| day who all seem to complain about a similar | | | | Focussing your eyes at the same distance point for |
| problem. They complain about upper back, neck and | | | | extended periods of time causes fatigue. The human |
| shoulder pain which radiates to the back of the head | | | | eye structurally prefers to look at objects further |
| with headache. In addition, they speak of fatigue, | | | | than six metres away, so any work performed |
| limited concentration, morning neck stiffness and | | | | close-up puts extra demands on the eye muscles. |
| even tingling in their arms and fingers. | | | | The computer screen when lit up also contributes to |
| On further questioning I find that are sitting at a | | | | fatigue of the eyes. While there is no actual evidence |
| desk for the greater part of the day at their | | | | that eye fatigue is associated with damage to the |
| computers. Often these computers are laptop models | | | | eyesight, computer users may experience symptoms |
| and their desks and workstations are not well | | | | such as blurred vision, temporary inability to focus on |
| designed. Even expensive ergonomic chairs and | | | | distant objects and headaches. |
| desks are not always the answer to their problems. | | | | Here are some suggestions to reduce the risk of |
| | | | eyestrain include the following tips: |
| The muscles of the neck are intended to hold the | | | | -Make sure your primary light source such as a |
| head comfortably in place when the head is upright. | | | | window is not shining into your face or directly onto |
| Nature never intended the human frame to try to | | | | the monitor. |
| support it's head in a bent forward position for more | | | | -Tilt the monitor slightly to eliminate reflections or |
| than a few minutes at a time. When the head moves | | | | glare. |
| forward, the load on the muscles of the neck | | | | -Make sure your computer screen is not close to |
| increases many times. | | | | your face. |
| This causes strain of the neck and upper back | | | | -Position the screen so that it is either at eye level or |
| muscles, which in turn gives rise to the symptoms | | | | slightly lower. |
| described earlier. Nerve compression may occur | | | | -Reduce the contrast and brightness of the screen |
| causing frequent headaches, nausea, blurred vision | | | | by adjusting the controls on the monitor. |
| and muscle weakness. It is this nerve compression | | | | -Frequently look away from the screen and focus on |
| that chiropractors are often sought out to corrrect. | | | | faraway objects. |
| It is often termed spinal subluxation, or 'pinched | | | | - Have regular eye examinations to check that |
| nerves' by the layperson. | | | | blurring headaches and other associated problems are |
| The vertebrae of the spine can become affected | | | | not caused by any underlying disorders. |
| over a period of time with this continuous forward | | | | |
| posture, which is also called a hyperkyphotic posture. | | | | Laptop computers carry their own inherent dangers |
| While some people grow up with 'lazy posture', | | | | and problems to posture. The growing use of laptop |
| particularly if they are tall and lanky, just feel | | | | computers has increased the rate of pains, strains |
| self-conscious or don't do any exercise, the computer | | | | and injuries among computer users. Laptops were |
| age has definitely accelerated the problem into the | | | | designed to allow computer access for limited periods |
| domain of the everyday worker. | | | | of time when a person could not reach a desktop |
| The problem can cause upper thoracic or 'dowagers' | | | | computer. The increased use of laptops as a |
| hump which used to be seen only on elderly ladies | | | | replacement for a desktop computer has resulted in |
| with osteoporosis but is now increasingly seen in | | | | higher computer-related injury rates. The problem is |
| younger people. For young ladies with larger chests, | | | | that the monitor and keyboard of a laptop are very |
| the problem is compounder. For that matter, even | | | | close together. |
| younger man carying excessvie weight seem to be | | | | To position the monitor at the right height for the |
| equll prone. It is absolutely critical that this problem be | | | | back and neck causes the arms and shoulders to be |
| addressed and the posture corrected so that long | | | | lifted too high.To position the keyboard at the best |
| term damage and effects do not occur. | | | | height for the arms and shoulders, the user must |
| What are the long term effects? Osteoarthritis, | | | | hunch the shoulders and neck to see the monitor. |
| sometimes called degenerative joint disease, is | | | | Carrying laptops around can also cause excessive |
| characterised by loss of movement, stiffness, | | | | strain on muscles and joints. |
| soreness, referred pain at times and the chiropractic | | | | Here are my key prevention tips for laptop users. |
| phenomena of spinal subluxation. I referred earlier to | | | | Try to use peripheral equipment whenever possible |
| nerve compression than can occur. This often results | | | | such as a docking station, separate keyboard, mouse |
| in the nerves leading to the arms and hands being | | | | and laptop. Have frequent breaks. Use a well setup |
| affected, with resultant pain, numbness, tingling or | | | | desktop computer instead of a laptop. Don't use the |
| heaviness being felt. Missed diagnoses of rotator cuff | | | | smallest laptop screen you can - do the opposite! See |
| and carpal tunnel syndrome are common when the | | | | a chiropractor for a spinal assessment and don't put |
| spinal cause is overlooked. | | | | off your exercise plan. Start working out and build |
| Eye strain is a common experience when sitting at a | | | | some back muscle strength - it only has to hold you |
| computer. This is often thought to be an unavoidable | | | | up for the rest of your life! |