The body’s joints suffer from the wear and tear process during active periods and are repaired during periods of rest. If we use the joints in abnormal postures for long periods of time or put pressure on the joints in the same postures for long periods of time, the wear and tear will be greater than repair and the joints will start to deteriorate, according to Dr. Uma Kumar , Head of Department, Rheumatology, AIIMS told IANS.
“When we hold the mobile in our hands, not only the fingers are used, but also our hands, elbows, muscles and neck are involved as we usually look at the mobile from a neutral position bending the neck which is in line with the head. Up and down completely. Straight,” Dr Kumar said.
The AIIMS doctor explained that there is a constant load of the brain, skull and muscles on top of the neck, which falls on the cervical spine. So if we work incorrectly or look mobile, the weight will proportionally increase the pressure on the spine and muscles, causing pain.
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“When you tilt your head or tilt it forward, the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the cervical spine (neck) support the head. During neck exertion, it is the intervertebral discs of the neck that absorb the force.” Helps to absorb and distribute evenly.” Dr. Kumar said.
Talking about the increasing number of such patients, Dr. Kumar said, “We often meet patients in OPD who complain of pain in the back, fingers or neck due to wrong posture.”
AIIMS Dr Kumar warns that prolonged head tilt can also increase the risk of accelerated degenerative changes in the spine. He advised to keep the head up instead of bowing down and bring mobile and laptop up to meet the eyes.
“Our head weighs about 5 to 8 kg, if we tilt it in any direction, it will put more pressure on the supporting muscles of the neck due to the force of gravity, but in a prolonged static position (sitting at a computer for a long time) ) Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra, Director, Bone and Joint Institute, Fortis Escort Hospital, said, “Poor posture over a long period of time can lead to muscle fatigue, pain and degenerative disorders.”
Dr. Mishra said that “If our neck is in its normal position, we put a weight of 5.4 kg on the neck, if the head is tilted forward 15 degrees, the weight will increase to 12.2 kg, if it is tilted 30 degrees, Then the weight will increase. If it is 18.1 kg, if it is tilted at 45 degrees, then the weight will be 22.2 kg and if the head is tilted at 60 degrees, then the weight on the top of the neck will be 27.2 kg.
“That is why it is important to pay attention to posture while using mobiles and laptops to avoid pain and disorders. When the neck and shoulders move forward, the muscles at the front become tight and those at the back become weak and thus The muscles become imbalanced.” Happens,” Dr Mishra said.
Proper posture, good ergonomics, and above all, strengthening the neck muscles will be the best prevention and treatment of neck, shoulder, and upper back pain.Dr. Mishra told IANS.
Source: IANS
