Jul 30 2008
Physiotherapists say too much texting is causing aches and pains for many teenagers.
They say as many as one in every six text-addicted teenager is suffering aches and pains in their wrists, arms, necks and shoulders, as a result of too much texting.
A survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) in the UK has revealed that while a third of 16-24-year olds send an average of 20 or more texts a day, one in six get pains in their hands when texting and others felt aches and pains in their wrists, arms, necks and shoulders.
The CSP says youths are particularly vulnerable to symptoms which are similar to the Repetitive Strain Injury associated with excessive keyboard use.
The society warns that unless the issue of Text Message Injury (TMI) is addressed many will experience pain and swelling of the tendons at the base of the thumb and wrist which could lead to long-term problems.
The CSP says while texting is a great way to communicate, mobile phones are not ergonomically designed for excessive texting and require repetitive movements.
The CSP advises teens to use abbreviations and predictive text, to use both hands to "spread the load", and restrict text sessions to five to 10 minutes.