Cell phones have basically take over our lives and as society we spend a lot of time on our phones. Research conducted by British psychologist estimate that young adults spend up to 5 hours a day on their phone. With the dramatic increase in our cell phone use, doctors are now starting to see more and more cell phone related injuries and conditions. Here are three common conditions that are caused by spending too much time on your phone.
1. Blackberry Thumb
Blackberry Thumb is a repetitive stress injury that is caused by over use of the thumb when typing on your phone or playing games. (Since Blackberries are no longer made, maybe Ithumb would be a better name). The actual condition could be called a couple different names including De Quervain syndrome, Tenosynovitis, or just tendonitis of the thumb. The general symptoms include pain, swelling, or tenderness in the thumb and/or wrist. Because this is an over use injury, it usually heals on its own if you give your thumb enough time to rest.
2. Text Neck
Text Neck is caused by flexing the neck for long periods of time while looking down at the phone. Common symptoms of Text neck are cervical and thoracic pain, headaches, and radiating pain into arms.
Other problems that may result from long term Text Neck include loss of the normal cervical and thoracic spine curvatures, spinal disc compression leading to a bulging or herniated disc, early onset of spinal arthritis, and even diminished lung capacity.
Common treatments for Text Neck includes therapy exercises and chiropractic care.
3. Smart Phone Pinky
While the jury is still out on this one, I thought I would still include it. Basically, because of the way most people support their phone with their pinky finger, some people are reporting their pinky finger is starting to become slightly deformed.
There is an anatomical law called Wolff's Law that states in a healthy person, a bone will adapt to the loads and stresses it is placed under; which means if enough stress is placed on a bone over time, the body can change shape to accommodate the stress better. Now whether or not holding a phone for up to 5 hours a day is enough stress on the pinky to cause it to deform is up for debate; I could not find any actual studies on the topic. I did find some experts stating that Smart Phone Pinky is a myth, but the internet seems to disagree with the experts and swears that Smart Phone Pinky is a real thing.
1. Blackberry Thumb
Blackberry Thumb is a repetitive stress injury that is caused by over use of the thumb when typing on your phone or playing games. (Since Blackberries are no longer made, maybe Ithumb would be a better name). The actual condition could be called a couple different names including De Quervain syndrome, Tenosynovitis, or just tendonitis of the thumb. The general symptoms include pain, swelling, or tenderness in the thumb and/or wrist. Because this is an over use injury, it usually heals on its own if you give your thumb enough time to rest.
2. Text Neck
Text Neck is caused by flexing the neck for long periods of time while looking down at the phone. Common symptoms of Text neck are cervical and thoracic pain, headaches, and radiating pain into arms.Other problems that may result from long term Text Neck include loss of the normal cervical and thoracic spine curvatures, spinal disc compression leading to a bulging or herniated disc, early onset of spinal arthritis, and even diminished lung capacity.
Common treatments for Text Neck includes therapy exercises and chiropractic care.
3. Smart Phone Pinky
While the jury is still out on this one, I thought I would still include it. Basically, because of the way most people support their phone with their pinky finger, some people are reporting their pinky finger is starting to become slightly deformed.
There is an anatomical law called Wolff's Law that states in a healthy person, a bone will adapt to the loads and stresses it is placed under; which means if enough stress is placed on a bone over time, the body can change shape to accommodate the stress better. Now whether or not holding a phone for up to 5 hours a day is enough stress on the pinky to cause it to deform is up for debate; I could not find any actual studies on the topic. I did find some experts stating that Smart Phone Pinky is a myth, but the internet seems to disagree with the experts and swears that Smart Phone Pinky is a real thing.
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