As our lives continue to get busier, and we are increasingly overrun by new technologies, the time adults and children spend in front of both the television and computers is steadily rising. But is this increasingly sedentary lifestyle having a long term effect on our children’s health?
The link between inactivity, child obesity and the long term risk factors associated with this condition have been well documented for many years. But are our kids susceptible to other problems, and as parents, how can we help them decrease their risk of injury in the future?
At Whittlesea Physiotherapy, one of the most common conditions we see among adolescents and young adults is pain or tightness in the neck. Quite often, this is also associated with regular headaches that are felt at the base of the skull, in the forehead or around the eyes. We have affectionately begun to term such conditions as ‘Tech Necks’, as the origin of pain generally results from poor posture related to large periods of time in front of the computer or television.
When our children sit in these positions for extended periods of time, they typically adopt a posture characterized by a poke chin, increased curve of the mid back and rounded shoulders. This then places increased forces through the joints, muscles and nerves of the neck, which over time, can lead to neck pain, headaches, or a combination of both.
How can we help our children prevent neck pain and headaches
It is important that as parents, we help prevent our children developing conditions associated with poor posture in the future by:
- Encouraging them to take a break from study, sitting in front of the computer, or watching television every 30 minutes. This should involve getting up and walking around the room which allows for spinal tissues to be exercised, thus reducing postural strain.
- Customise their chair – Make sure you adjust the height of your child’s chair so their feet are firmly placed on the floor. Next adjust the back rest so that it supports the natural curve of the lower back and maintains the integrity of the entire spine.
- Rearrange their desk- Set your child’s desk to elbow height, as a desk too high can lead to poor posture and the associated problems. If you use a fixed height surface, try installing a keyboard and mouse that you can adjust to the correct height.
- Reposition the computer monitor – Place your monitor at arm’s length and make sure the top of the screen is eye level when sitting up straight. Also, ensure you place their monitor and keyboard directly in front of your child so they don’t twist their neck while studying or playing games.
If you take the simple steps outlined above, you will help to ensure the health of your child’s spine and overall health. However, should your child be suffering from neck pain or headaches, or you simply believe they may benefit from some postural education to help prevent future complications, please call Whittlesea Physiotherapy on 03 9716 2250 for an appointment with one of our experienced therapists.