mobile phones and posture: Is your PC and mobile device changing your posture?
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How are mobile phones and posture related?
Have you been told you’ve got hunched posture? Are you worried your mobile phone’s contributing to the problem?
Think about it: when using our mobile we tend to drop our heads forward, rounding our shoulders resulting in a hunched posture.

Will you be stuck in your hunched posture forever
I remember my Mum telling us as kids that if the wind changed whilst you were pulling a face you’d get stuck like it. We all knew it wasn’t true but repeated the same saying to our friends.
The same could be said of the fears of an epidemic of hunched posture because of mobile phone use.
In my opinion the most important factor is movement and function. So if you spend a few minutes a day with hunched posture but other than that you’ve looked after your posture you’ll be ok.
However, if you spend hours a day with hunched posture, either over a mobile phone, a book or a PC without rest breaks, proper stretches or simply moving about, then you’re more likely to suffer long term changes to your posture.
In essence,it takes repetition of a bad habit and lack of good habits to cause long-term adaptations.
Mobile phones
One change I noticed since I qualified in 2002 is that with smart phones more people are inadvertently spending more of their time with hunched and rounded posture.
People are using their mobile phones more and more, and therefore adopting this hunched posture more often and for longer periods.
In my opinion the longer you’re in this hunched posture, the more likely you are to suffer musculoskeletal problems, such as neck aches, shoulder muscle tightness, or even headaches arising from your neck.
As a chiropractor I see people with various related muscle or joint aches and pains. I feel this is worse if the person doesn’t move about much.
Are there serious health consequences to having hunched posture?
Severe postural changes, such as severe scoliosis or severe kyphotic posture, have been associated with health problems. When the spine is so twisted or hunched that vital organs are literally compressed or compromised then we can see a direct effect on general health.
Don’t panic though! The kind of hunched posture we see when people are using their mobile phones isn’t severely compressing their vital organs.
Despite that, I can understand why some health experts suggest there may be a subtle but serious effect on our organs and vital processes.
For example, it’s easy to demonstrate that it’s harder to take a full breath when hunched over.
Some people also believe that, if sustained, this hunched posture could compromise your heart function too.
So how’s your posture?
I often get asked what the solution is to mobile phone posture?
Well the simple answer is to hold your phone up higher, rather than hunching over to look at it. The less you hunch your posture the less impact there is. Oh and of course – use your phone less!
And, hey, if you’re reading this blog on your phone or tablet right now then how’s your posture? Are you holding your phone or tablet up to reduce the pressure on your neck?
In my opinion the most important thing is to take active breaks. Make sure you get plenty of time away from your screen.
What can I do to improve my hunched posture
Whether the benefits are large or small, it’s always worth improving your posture. If you want posture advice, just ask your chiropractor when you are next in.
They’ll love it that you’re interested and will be able to give you some really useful tips.
You can also check out this blog on Upper Crossed Syndrome which is a type of hunched posture. It includes a range of stretches and self-help advice.

One of our guests (patients), Caroline, had been suffering with back and neck pain, which was aggravated by bad posture using her laptop. As well as hands on chiropractic care, she found the self-help posture advice and explanations of why posture is so important really effective.
“I really feel they have improved not only my physical self but given me an understanding of the cause & effect of bad posture and how to combat it.
I highly recommend Lushington Chiropractic, all the team are extremely helpful and easy to talk to, and you can feel secure knowing you are receiving the best professional care available.”
Caroline, from Eastbourne
If you are suffering with posture problems, back pain, neck pain, muscle spasms or joint aches then call today to see why over 8,000 local people have already chosen Lushington Chiropractic to help them: 01323 722499.
We regularly see patients who are suffering from the close link between mobile phones and posture. In these cases we welcome patients in for an initial consultation before explaining how our range of treatments can help.
The Lushington Chiropractic team in Eastbourne also treat an array of other issues. Alongside expert chiropractic care, we also offer services such as nutritional therapy, podiatry, acupuncture, counselling and more. We have an extremely professional and dedicated team who deliver the highest service and have over 80 years’ expertise between them.
Lushington Chiropractic is Eastbourne largest and most award-winning chiropractic clinic. We are based in Eastbourne’s town centre, with easy parking and accessible rooms. Our chiropractic clinic is open late and Saturdays. We have a lovely team of chiropractors serving the people of Eastbourne so if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me on 01323 722499.
By James Revell.
If you found this helpful check out our other Blogs on helping with Posture problems:
Advice/self-help for neck pain and headaches
Posture advice when working on a laptop.
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