The dangers of prolonged mobile phone use

With developing technology, the amount of time people spend in front of devices such as computers and tablets, especially mobile phones, is increasing.

Stating that the time spent on mobile phones reaches 24 hours a week, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. Semiha Ülkü Gül issued warnings regarding the use of phones in incorrect positions.

"TEXT NECK SYNDROME"

Stating that in addition to office workers, spending long periods in incorrect positions on social media recently can cause problems in the neck, back, and spine, Dr. Semiha Ülkü Gül said, "Not keeping the device at eye level, not getting up from the device every 2 hours to exercise, and poor posture can lead to cervical disc herniation over time. The hernia can progress and press on arm nerves, causing loss of strength in the arm and, along with severe loss of strength, can lead to a condition we call progressive paralysis. 

Postural disorders, which usually occur in middle age, have recently started to be seen in children as well. The reason for this is that children spend a long time on mobile phones or tablets," she said.

Stating that a new definition has even entered the medical literature for posture disorders related to mobile phones, Dr. Gül explained that this term, called "Text Neck Syndrome," is referred to as "text neck syndrome" in Turkish.

"22 KILOGRAMS OF LOAD CAN BE APPLIED"

Private Ümit Medical Center doctor, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Semiha Ülkü Gül, said that incorrect positioning in the use of mobile phones, tablets, and computers, which has increased with developing technology, significantly affects neck health, especially in the spine. 

Stating that one in 10 people comes to the outpatient clinic with complaints of neck and back pain, Dr. Gül said, "If we keep our heads tilted forward more than necessary and in an incorrect posture, more load than normal is placed on our neck muscles and back muscles. 

For example, when we tilt our head forward by 15 degrees, the load on the neck muscles and spine is 5 kilograms in the normal position, but this can go up to 12 kilograms; when we tilt it by 30 degrees, this weight can be close to 22 kilograms. This can lead to problems such as loss of cervical lordosis, cervical disc herniation, and cervical spondylosis," she said.

"SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT FOR LONGER THAN 2 HOURS"

Providing information on ways to protect the neck and spine structure, Dr. Gül said the following:

"We should keep the phone at eye level as much as possible when using it. For example, we can support one arm with the other to bring it to eye level. When we are going to have a long conversation or call, we can prefer to use headphones instead of squeezing the phone between our head and neck.

If we have to use a computer, we should pay attention to keeping the screen at eye level, and after 2 hours, we can get up and take 1-2 steps in the room, take a short break, and do neck stretching exercises. They can find information on how to do these exercises in many places."

SWIMMING EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT

Pointing out that posture disorders related to computer, tablet, and phone use can also be seen frequently in children recently, Dr. Gül stated, "As posture deteriorates, the neck, spine structure, and back structure change after a while, and this structural disorder continues one after another. 

We advise parents to prevent children from staying in the same position for long periods and to direct them to various sports. The best is swimming; if they cannot do that, or if their means do not allow it, children can be encouraged to spend more time outdoors. We also need to shorten this time to set an example for them," she said.