Laptops can be a pain

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Laptops can be a pain

 

Laptops can be a pain

 

Author: Melissa D'costa

 

Warn British scientists. Regular use of the portable

device may hurt your spine, neck and shoulders, they

say. LiFE@WORK gets a medical expert and working

professionals to tell us if laptops can weigh you down

Pic/ Narendra Dangiya

The laptop is compact, portable and a boon to working

professionals who are always on the go. However, while

no one can deny its benefits, its side-effects

cannot be ignored.

 

Regular laptop users we spoke to, admit that all of

them have at some point in time suffered from back,

neck and shoulder pains.

 

This is a cause for concern because the number of

laptop users suffering from back and muscle problems

is increasing. If you are one of them, read on to

find out why laptops are making your body ache.

 

Bag Weighs

 

4 kgs and 700 gms

 

What's inside Laptop, charger and diaries

 

Complains of Shoulder pain because of laptop weight

 

To avoid discomfort, I don't carry a regular laptop

case, and have switched to using a haversack so that

the weight is distributed evenly.

 

What medical experts have to say

 

Dr Prasham Shah, orthopaedic surgeon with Saifee

hospital

 

Laptop users who carry their laptop bags on one

shoulder, are likely to suffer from severe shoulder

pain. It's preferable if you carry a laptop bag that's

like a haversack. Since the straps rest on both the

shoulders, the weight is distributed equally.

 

Problems laptop users face

 

1) Neck pain Placing the laptop low (on your lap or on

a desk) for comfortable arm position, means that you

have to tilt your neck forward to view the

screen. After a while, your neck will hurt.

 

2) hand and finger pain Most laptops have keys that

are smaller than those found on traditional keyboards

- a potential cause for hand and finger pain.

 

3) back and neck pain When a laptop is used in cramped

spaces, it leads to poor posture, and may cause back

and neck pain.

 

Quick fixes

 

1) Take frequent breaks When using your laptop, it's

likely that you are working in a more cramped space,

than if you are using a desktop. So, taking short

breaks and changing your posture, is important.

 

2) Change position of laptop at intervals If the

laptop is on your lap, consider switching its position

occasionally. Leave it on your lap for 30 minutes

to promote ideal wrist posture, then switch it to a

table to improve your neck position. If the laptop is

on your lap, raise its height with a pillow or

cushion, so that you don't have to strain your neck.

 

3) sit on a couch It's important to ensure that you

are not slouching while working on your laptop.

 

4) Don't carry too many laptop accessories Reducing

the number of peripherals you carry will reduce your

bag's weight and the subsequent stress-and-strain

on your shoulders.

 

Tips to follow while working with a laptop

 

1) Try to keep your wrists in a neutral position (not

bent).

 

2) Sit about arm's length from the screen

 

3) Use a light touch while typing.

 

Is your laptop heavy?

 

Arif Ahmed

Editor with a film production company

 

Yes, my laptop is heavy. In fact, there are times when

my shoulders ache because of the weight.

 

Shoaib Sadiq

AM HR Training, automobile manufacturing company

 

My laptop is heavy and my shoulders hurt at the end of

the day.

 

Swapnil Mule

Design manager with a crane manufacturing company

 

While my laptop is light, the case is heavy thanks to

the accessories I have to carry. That's why my

shoulders and back ache at times.

 

Case study

Hilary Pinto

Designation: Senior product engineer with a marketing

company

 

Travels daily from his residence in Malad to his

workplace at Saki Naka, Andheri (E). Generally rides

his bike, also commutes by car and occasionally takes

the train.

 

Commuting Time: Over one hour, one way.

 

About the study

 

The results of a survey conducted by UK scientists at

the University College London revealed that 1 in 5

students who used laptops, had neck and shoulder

pain, while 16% said they suffered wrist ache and 15%

said their back hurt.