Could your smart phone, iPad or similar device be the source of your stress, pain or injury? Have you become a “screen slave?” Are you often working while commuting, or after you get home?

People of all ages are being diagnosed with neck pain associated with looking down at these hand held devices. Symptoms such as nerve pressure, headaches, disk compression, back pain and breathing difficulties have all been reported.

This phenomenon began with the popularity of texting. Everywhere today you will see countless people slumped over their phones with their heads pulled down. This advancement in technology has become very compulsive, addictive and distracting.

Watch 2 minute Video below.

According to recent statistics in the UK, the average time spent on a smart phone is 90 minutes per day. Most of this time is spent browsing the internet, playing games and social media. We now spend more time on these mini computers than actually talking to our partners and friends.

One of my clients calls it the Blackberry prayer, people bowing down as if in a deep concentrated religious prayer.

This pulling down of the head causes excessive amounts of tension, the head weighs 10-12 pounds. Leaning over, pulling down and curving the back takes its toll on the body. Without recognition this can cause lifelong problems such as disk degeneration, trapped nerves, migraines etc.

What’s the solution? 

 (1) Beginning to notice the habit of pulling down into your device.

 (2) Adapt a more natural position for the spine, neck and head.

In other words making sure you are comfortably seated or standing, and your spine is long. See if you can allow your head and eyes to slightly tilt down, instead of the whole weight of the head, this will take enormous pressure off the delicate bones of the spine.

(3) Modify the position of the device, instead of having the device in you lap or looking down, find ways to hold the device at eye level.

(4) Take breaks and allocate time for the device then switch off.

(5) Don’t get stuck in fixed positions.

(6) Having a strong flexible back will help you deal with such issues.

Click the Alexander technique  link to discover and learn how to live a life where you are more present, alive and fully expressed.

The Alexander Technique offers practical lasting solutions to prevent this type of  repetitive strain and improves the coordination and strength of your body.