Voluntary Confinement: the effects of mobile devices on our body and behavior
It's inevitable. Mobile device usage has exceeded the personal computer when it comes to web browsing, email, and text messaging. In fact, this article was written exclusively on a 7 inch tablet using only my index finger. I'm not against it, I embrace this change in technology but I also realize that the convenience of miniaturizing our computer screens to the size of about half a sheet of paper comes with much drawback in the following areas of our lives.
Voluntary confinement: when we choose to use our mobile devices we are choosing to function at a very narrow operating space. Our muscles become inhibited, breathing is affected, and our field of view is reduced. These effects are magnified over time, especially when you start this habit at a young age.
Motor learning: the next generation of adults could very well become poor not only in spelling, but typing and penmanship. There is a significant amount of auto correction when typing on your mobile device, and if you get the first few letters of the word dialed in, you can simply choose your word or automatically insert it into the sentence. In fact, in the process of writing this editorial I purposefully mistyped my words, only to cause my app to correctly insert the right words. Spelling is both a cognitive and a motor skill that can be practised with pen and paper, something that a tablet or smart phone has yet to simulate effectively. Typing is a fine motor skill that is quickly being replaced by touch screens that can be operated by one finger only! Posture distortion and overuse syndromes: we are looking down so frequently at our computer screens and even more profoundly so when we look at our mobile devices. Neck strains and a forward head carriage can develop over time. Children using mobile devices can trigger symptoms of muscle strain to the spinal column at an early age which could lead to poor posture adaptation as an adult. Wrist and shoulder symptoms like impingement and carpal tunnel syndromes can also be associated with chronic strains from mobile device use. Transient numbness and tingling to the hands are also associated with mobile device use when lying on a bed or couch, which can be an indicator of a nerve compression. The cumulative effect of driving, computer use, and small electronic devices posture compensation produces shortness of the pectoral muscles and inhibition of the spinal extensor muscles. Discontentment from lack of instant gratification: We have gotten so accustomed to having information instantly that anything requiring some form of waiting time has the potential to provoke our sense of patience. Learn to sit still or stand in line without looking at your phone. For better or worse, mobile devices are here to stay. It is up to us to pay attention to how it affects our bodies and our behavior. Subtle injuries can turn into bigger problems over time, and your body needs to move freely on a regular basis. Don't settle for voluntary confinement! You get enough of it from driving your car and sitting all day at work! Dr.Adrian is a private practice Chiropractor and educator serving South Pasadena since 2000, and is reachable at www.southpaschiro.com.
