Texting Your Way to Trouble: How Ergonomics Saves Your Joints

Our phones are practically extensions of ourselves these days. But between texting, scrolling, and gaming, all that hunching and gripping can potentially damage our joints. Living Touch Massage Therapy recommends preventative care in order to maintain healthy joints.  Here's where ergonomics comes in –  it's the science of designing things to fit the human body, and it can be a game-changer for preventing joint pain from phone use.

Think about how you hold your phone, one hand grips, while the other types, or maybe you use one hand to do it all. Either way, this repetitive motion can strain the muscles and tendons in your thumbs, wrists, and even elbows. Over time, this constant strain on our upper body can lead to conditions causing pain, numbness, and weakness. By incorporating a few simple ergonomic principles into your phone routine and posture, you can significantly reduce your risk of pain.

Our bodies are amazing, but sometimes they need a break. Texting can be a real workout for your thumbs, especially with the constant tapping and swiping.  Voice-to-text features offer a powerful alternative, allowing you to dictate your message instead of typing it out. To balance your body you can switch hands while texting or holding the phone to distribute the strain evenly. 

Posture is always important, sit up tall with your shoulders back and hold your phone at eye level. This reduces strain on your neck and upper back.  Avoid gripping your phone tightly with your pinky finger. There are many phone cases you can find with built-in grippers to reduce strain on your fingers for a secure hold.

At Living Touch Massage Therapy, we see first-hand the impact of daily habits on our bodies. By consciously incorporating these ergonomic practices, you can transform your phone use from a pain-inducing activity to a comfortable and enjoyable one. Remember, prevention is key! Taking care of your upper body now will save you discomfort and allow you to keep using your phone without limitations.

However, if you're already experiencing discomfort as an existing client, schedule an appointment at Living Touch. Together, we can create a personalized plan to get you back to pain-free phone use. A healthy body leads to a happier you!

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