Back pain and its relationship with the use of the smartphone
An excessive use of mobile devices has negative consequences such as increased back pain. The back pain is related to the use of the smartphone and this is reflected in a study carried out by the magazine Surgital Technology International where it has been demonstrated how much the spine suffers while a person stays in the usual position to consult his mobile.
Smartphone and back pain: increase in weight to support
The spine usually supports a weight of between 4 and 5 kg in a neutral position, that is, maintaining an inclination of 0º. However, with each degree of inclination that this part of the body receives, the load to be supported increases until reaching values such as 12 kg with 15º and even 18 kg with 30º.
These levels of inclination of the back are usually reached by smartphone users and not for brief moments but for extended periods while responding to numerous messages. To greater use of these devices, the back passes more inclined time and therefore supports during a greater time this excessive load of weight causing that this zone suffers enough.
Loss of curvature of the back: excessive use of the smartphone
This excessive weight in the area of the spine causes this part of the body to suffer and lose its curvature. This leads to the appearance of back problems such as degeneration of the muscles and vertebrae and even breakage of some of these bones can occur due to the degeneration caused by the constant weight load.
Besides this constant posture also supposes a greater stress in the cervical vertebrae which can lead to a premature wear. This implies the possibility that this person often has a greater amount of dizziness and of course greater pain in this area of the body. Of course, once this wear occurs, it is less possible to have a correct posture.
Educate in good postures when using the smartphone
At this point the need to maintain good posture becomes evident. Specialists advise one in which the waist and legs are aligned at a 90 degree angle in case of sitting and, of course, a place to rest your back. In case of standing, the ears always have to coincide with the shoulders, this means that the degree of inclination of the column is 0º.
It is essential to teach these guidelines to the youngest members of the household, who are still developing and may suffer from these problems more acutely. Of course, another technique to teach both children and adolescents is the responsible use of the smartphone, which should be used sparingly to avoid excesses that may cost them their health.
Damián Montero
