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Computer
Neck Pain
Computer
neck pain is a very common
condition among office
workers, students and many
other computer users. The
result of long hours seated
in an unchanged position,
often with a poor posture or
curved upper spine, is tight
and painful neck muscles,
neck stiffness, and
commonly, associated
headache.
One study of office workers
[1]
placed the annual incidence
of computer related neck
pain at 34.4%, with the
incidence higher in females,
those with poor position of
screen and keyboard, those
with higher mental stress
and less physical exercise,
and smokers.
In another study of 206
students
[2],
who were frequent computer
users, 60% of the students
reported upper extremity or
neck pain attributed to
computer use. The average
pain score reported was 4.5
(scale 0-10). In this study
female gender, years of
computer use, and hours of
computer use per week were
significantly associated
with pain.
In a Danish study
[3]
moderate to severe neck pain
was reported in 4.1% of
computer users, and the
figure for moderate to
severe shoulder pain was
3.4%.
All these
studies suggest that
computer neck pain is a
major, common, and
surprisingly severe
condition in terms of pain.
It is also likely that it
significantly impairs
concentration and work
capacity.
Computer
Neck Pain Treatment
It is
mainly the ongoing high
degree of neck tension which
appears to cause the
condition, so reducing neck
tension is crucial.
Massaging the neck and
shoulder area with
Myopax
assists many sufferers.
Natural compounds in Myopax
(linalool from lavender and
rosmarinic acid from
rosemary) have muscle
relaxing properties, and
associated inflammation of
muscle tissues may be
assisted by the emu oil
component of Myopax.
Ergonomic positioning of
computer screen, keyboard
and chair are crucial to
ensure good posture.
Regular stretching,
particularly of shoulders,
neck and upper back are
recommended, along with
regular short breaks. A
study of regular breaks
taken by computer users
[4]
reported a higher
productivity and more
individuals reporting neck
pain improvement, but no
other significant benefits.
Regular
exercise appears to be
important, along with stress
reduction measures such as
meditation.
The stress reduction often
reported with massage is
another reason for
recommending its use in
managing computer neck
pain. Massage recipients of
Myopax report additional
relaxation, possibly from
the lavender content.
Massage of the neck and
shoulders with
Austral-Balm
may also assist the
condition, particularly if
any inflammation is
apparent.
Consultation with a medical
practitioner is advised for
the ongoing management of
computer neck pain.
____________________________________________________________________________
[1] Work Related and
Individual Predictors for
Incident Neck Pain Among
Office Employees Working
with Video Display Units, Occup Environ Med., 2003
Jul; 60 (7): pages 475-82.
[2] Upper
Extremity Pain and Computer
Use Among Engineering
Graduate Students, Am J Ind
Med., 2004 Sep; 46 (3):
pages 297-303.
[3] Neck and Shoulder
Symptoms and Disorders Among
Danish Computer Workers,
Scand J Work Environ Health,
2004 Oct; 30 (5): pages
399-409.
[4] Effects of Software
Programs Stimulating Regular
Breaks and Exercises on
Work-Related Neck and Upper
Limb Disorders, Scand J Work
Environ Health, 2003 Apr; 29
(2): pages 106-16.
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