On this page: Issue    ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

Issue
Neck strain can result from any of the following:

• looking up at a monitor that is placed too high; 
• viewing a monitor placed too low or viewing a document on the desk; 
• looking over to one side to view a monitor or copy from a document; or
• jutting the chin forward to view a screen or copy from a document.

Holding the phone between the ear and the shoulder places a lot of stress on the joints and muscles (it's called Handset Fatigue).

These issues can make your neck feel stiff, tight and achy and develop into degeneration of the joints of your neck (osteoarthritis) and tension headaches.

Even if you are feeling pain in other parts of your body, the cause could be your neck. Click here to find out why.

Issue   ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

Prevention

• Monitor Position
  - the monitor should be directly in front of you in a position that facilitates a slightly downward gaze of the eyes and a neutral (straight) neck position
  Tip: The monitor should not be to the side, or too high or low (computer screen should be no more than 10 to 15 degrees below horizontal).

• Chair Posture
  - make sure that you are sitting back in the chair and that the head is aligned over the shoulders
  Tip: It is okay to recline the chair back slightly, but too much of a recline can strain the neck as you try to right your head to view the monitor.

• Sitting Posture
  - avoid jutting the chin forward
  Tip: This is often the habit of someone who is having difficulty seeing the monitor due to wearing bifocals, or because it is too far way (computer screen should be between 46 and 76 centimetres [18 and 30 inches] from your eyes).

• Document Holders
  - when copying from documents, place document holders to the side of or in front of the monitor
  Tip: When document holder is placed in front, it should be angled up between the keyboard and the monitor. When placing document holder to the side, favour the dominant eye to reduce less eye, head and neck movement to view these documents. (See the Prevention section of Vision for more details about dominant eyes.)

• Static Problems
  - avoid static positions for prolonged periods; stop frequently to stretch, and contract and relax muscles to increase your blood circulation
  Tip: Muscles fatigue faster when they are held in one position.

• Telephone
  - do not cradle the telephone between your ear and shoulder
  Tip: Use a speaker phone, shoulder rest or headset.

Issue    ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

Equipment

Copy holders are recommended for individuals who perform input tasks from a source document. To maximize the benefits of a copy holder, it should be at the same height as the monitor, and as close to the monitor as possible.

Speaker phones, shoulder rests, and headsets allow you to communicate and do other tasks at the same time. Headsets can be used for both phones and computers if you buy headphones that can be used for both and your phone has the appropriate jack.

Issue    ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

Treatment

Minor
Most minor, posture-induced neck pain episodes clear up on their own after rest and efforts not to repeat the offending stress on the neck. 

More Serious
Neck pain that won't go away after a day or so may be more serious. Neck pain that lasts for many days or keeps coming back means that something isn't right. Examination, diagnosis and treatment by a doctor of chiropractic medicine may be necessary to determine the underlying causes of such neck pain and to determine treatment. 

Issue    ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

Links

Total Health Associates - Neck Pain
http://www.greennet.com.ge/tha/neckpain.html
Descriptions of the type of problems you can have with your neck.

Issue    ~  Prevention   ~  Equipment   ~  Treatment   ~  Links

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