BlackBerry Neck? High-tech Can Be a Pain in the Neck

We live in a constantly connected world. One where anyone can reach you at any time…unless you're on a beach in the British Virgin Islands and "accidentally" drop your BlackBerry into the water. Other issues aside—workaholism, for one—being tethered to your BlackBerry (or iPhone or Sidekick or even a regular cell phone…we don't want to single out BlackBerry for blame) can be a pain in the neck. Literally and figuratively.

You've seen people like this: shoulders hunched forward, neck straining at an uncomfortable angle, squinting at a tiny screen, thumbs a blur as they type. It's a posture most often associated with a BlackBerry, that little status symbol for a certain type of white collar worker. But it's poor posture, and it can lead to a lot of neck pain.

This 21st Century problem is being called "tech neck," and it can be caused by straining your neck forward to see that tiny screen. As you type out an email to a colleague or answer your boss' latest urgent request, you're holding your neck at an unnatural angle. And it stays there for much longer than it should, causing muscle strain and pain.

Handheld device users also tend to hunch their shoulders forward. The oddly angled neck and rounded shoulders strains the entire upper body.

Add general work stress to the poor posture, and handheld device addicts can feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.

So what can you do?

First, the dream answer:

• Go to White Bay in the British Virgin Islands.
• Throw your BlackBerry/iPhone/cell phone in the water.
• Lay down on a beach towel.
• Do some deep breathing and avoid thinking about work.

That's not going to work, is it?

Now, the helpful answer:

• Look up from the screen every 5 minutes or so.
• Better yet, bring the BlackBerry/other handheld device up to eye level. Ok, you won't look that cool, but at least you won't be in pain.
• Do some easy neck stretches and exercises.

  Chin Tucks:
  Move your chin towards your chest, holding for 5 seconds as you feel a comfortable stretch from your neck to the base of your skull.

  Repeat 10 times.

  Side Bending:
  Tilt your head to the right, bringing your ear close to the shoulder. You may use your hand to pull your head farther into the stretch. Hold 20 seconds.

  Bring your head back to the center, and then tilt it to the left, again holding 20 seconds.

  Repeat 3-5 times on each side.

  Side-to-Side Head Rotation:
  Rotate your chin towards your right shoulder. Hold 20 seconds. You may use your hand to push your head farther into the stretch.

  Bring your head back to the center, and then rotate it to the left, again holding 20 seconds.

  Repeat 3-5 times on each side.

Neck pain isn't a status symbol. Never letting go of your BlackBerry doesn't make you a better worker, despite what your boss says. Take care of your body, and do what you can to avoid neck pain, even if it means disconnecting from a constantly connected high-tech world.