EK HEALTH

-by Kim Granata-Clark, MS in Human Factors and Ergonomics, Ergonomic Specialist

Since cell phones are not just cell phones these days, you need to protect yourself from injury.  You can text, check e-mail, do internet searches, use it as a notepad, check your calendar, take pictures, etc…  All these activities can cause a lot of stress on the head and neck from looking down at the cell phone and hands from manipulating the buttons.

When you are using your cell phone other than when making a phone call, bring the phone to you versus your head to the phone.   Keep your head over your shoulders, keep the elbows close to your body and arms bent up toward you, holding your phone in one or both hands, and your eyes are looking down at the cell phone.  I know this is not very private or confidential but in the long run this will protect you from neck discomfort.  Take breaks to look up periodically while texting or checking your e-mail.  Try to use both hands to manipulate the buttons on the cell phone.

If you know you will be on a phone call for a long period of time, use a headset to protect your neck from trying to cradle the phone and wrist/hand position when bending the wrist backward to the max for a long period of time. 

Protect yourself when using your cell phone.