The problems with Laptops

Laptop computers were designed to be used ‘on the move’. Many of the compact design features making laptops fantastically mobile create ergonomic problems when they are being used for long periods of time. Adrian Steel an osteopath at Redhill Osteopathy Surrey agrees “laptops are particularly difficult to set up ergonomically”.

The fact that the monitor is attached to the keyboard means that users have to choose between flexing their neck to see the screen or an awkward angulation of the wrist and arms if using a laptop stand. The poorer screen quality and smaller screen size of many laptops means users tend to strain their neck to get closer to the screen causing neck pain. Maintaining these postures for a long time or repetitively on a daily basis puts users at risk of neck, upper back and shoulder pain as well as headache.

Michelle Henfrey, an osteopath at Health in Hand, Bracknell see’s many patients complaining of “bilateral shoulder symptoms, neck pain and headache as a result of using and transporting a laptop”.
The use of a touch-pad as opposed to a mouse may also increase the risk of repetitive strain injury RSI since users are making smaller movements with the fingers, wrist and arm than are necessary when manoeuvring the cursor with a mouse.

Another problem with laptops is the tendency for users to use them as portable televisions. Rachel Knight, a student osteopath at the British School of Osteopathy, London reports “many patients have come in complaining of headache and bilateral neck pain after watching hours of television on their laptops while lying in an awkward position”.

The simple act of transporting your laptop can also be a cause of discomfort especially when using a ‘courier-style’ laptop bag or even a handbag!

It has been advised that people should transport no more than 15% of their body weight. That means for a person weighing 60kg (9 ½ stone), they should be transporting no more than 9kg. Add the weight of the average portable laptop (just under 3kg) to the weight of the other items you’re carrying and I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how much you’re hauling!

Tips for laptop users:

• Carry only essential laptop accessories.
• Carry your laptop in a specially designed bag, rucksack designs are better.
• Pack an external mouse.
• Be aware of your posture.
• Take regular breaks! Load one of the stretch reminding software packages.
• If using your laptop as your home/work computer, use a laptop stand, separate keyboard and external mouse and get a supportive, adjustable, comfortable office chair.

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Tags : british school of osteopathy, headache, neck pain, posture, Repetitive strain injury, RSI, shoulder, shoulder pain, wrist

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