WELL-BEING
When your iPad or other tablet causes pain in the neck and shoulders –
* Use a case that positions the device at a comfortable viewing angle.
* Routinely shift hands and weight. Stand up if seated, or sit down if standing.
When using a laptop or desktop computer, follow the same tips for a tablet plus:
* Use an external keyboard.
* Keep shoulders relaxed and elbows close to the body.
* Keep hands, wrists, forearms, and thighs parallel to the floor.
* Take a break and change position every 15 minutes.
Holding a tablet computer too low, say on the lap, forces the neck to bend forward too much, straining and possibly even injuring muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or spinal discs. Simply placing a tablet on a table propped at an angle in a tablet case can reduce neck strain and potential pain, according to research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine