Health

iPad use a serious pain in the neck for women: Study

Jun 21, 2018

Women are more likely than men to experience neck, back and shoulder problems when using their iPads. Source: Getty

If you’re the kind of person who loves using Facebook on your iPad or playing games on your tablet, you could be contributing to neck and shoulder problems. In fact, iPad Neck as it’s known is one of the major problems plaguing people who use their digital devices.

While young adults and women in general are more likely to experience the pain, new research published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science by a team from the University of Nevada in the United States, has linked the persistent pain in the neck and shoulders to peoples’ posture.

The research found that many people sit without back support when using their iPad or tablet device. An example could be resting the device on your stomach or lap and bending over to view the screen or even using a tablet while lying on your back or side while in bed.

The study found women are twice as likely to experience musculoskeletal symptoms than men and that those who have existing or a previous history with neck and shoulder pain experience worse symptoms during tablet use. And, while you may think spending more time on your device could increase your chance of experiencing pain, lead author Professor Szu-Ping Lee said it actually wasn’t the case.

“Theoretically, the more hours you spend bent over an iPad, the more neck and shoulder pain you experience – but what we found is that time is not the most important risk factor,” Professor Lee said in a statement. “Rather, it’s gender and specific postures.”

The study analysed 412 people (135 and 275 women) about their usage habits when it came to using a tablet and their experience with neck and shoulder pain. Stiffness, soreness, aching pain in the neck, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands and even the head were among the most frequently reported symptoms. Over half the people, 55 per cent, reported moderate discomfort, while 10 per cent stated their symptoms were severe. If that wasn’t enough, 15 per cent said their symptoms even impacted their sleep.

According to the report, flexing the neck forward for long periods of time puts pressure on the spine and leads to increased pain in the neck and shoulder muscles. Despite the pain, just 46 per cent of respondents said they would stop using their device if they experience pain. It was also a bigger problem for women, with 70 per cent noting pain compared to the 30 per cent of men. Women were also more likely to use their tablet while sitting on the floor.

Professor Lee said there were several things people could do to prevent iPad Neck. The first, is sitting in a chair with back support. Where that isn’t possible, he noted posture reminder devices that beep when you’re slouching can also help.

While it can be easy to rest a tablet or iPad on a flat surface, he also recommended using a stand and attaching a keyboard if using for long periods of time to promote better posture. And, just as we would when watching TV or sitting at a computer, it’s recommended to exercise regularly and rest to avoid further strain.

“Using these electronic devices is becoming a part of our modern lives,” Lee added. “In order to reduce the risk of developing long-term neck and shoulder problems, we need to think about how technology like tablet computer affects human ergonomics and posture.”