Quasimodos of the Future–Unite!
Thursday, November 6, 2008 22:37Many old farts, some of them esteemed writers, have warned against the doomsday arrival of the Internet and associated technological advances.
Despite the pessimistic forecast of writers like Doris Lessing, the 2007 Nobel prize winner for Literature, who warned against the “inanities” of the Internet (and blogging in particular) — the world isn’t going to come tumbling down because of technology. In fact it’s one industry that’s still booming, despite today’s global economic crises.
This week more than ever, Americans have hope that we can overcome today’s crises and move past them. This remains to be seen, but one thing we know is that the power belongs to us, not just to the machines we’ve created.
Of course, the rapid change and technological advancement that we’ve seen in the last 20 years doesn’t come without its difficulties: its roller-coaster ride of economic upsets, generational differences, and even physiological problems– like repetitive stress injuries caused by tools that were designed for easy mechanical layout, not user comfort.
Many of us use computers several hours a day, if not most of the day and suffer in one way or another — neck strain, headaches, eye strain, shoulder slumping –stress that builds up with no physical no fight or flight outlet for it. Shoulder stress and aches are pervasive, generic, and affect most people I know in one way or another. Recently I discovered there’s actually a syndrome named after this typical Computer Hunch — it’s called “Upper Crossed Syndrome” or UCS, named by a Czech doctor. Here’s the technical description:
The upper crossed syndrome is defined as tightness of the upper trapezius, pectoralis major, and levator scapulae and weakness of the rhomboids, serratus anterior, middle and lower trapezius, and the deep neck flexors, especially the scalene muscles. This is the musculature of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and shoulder. When we sit and watch TV, spend time in front of computers, video games, text messaging, internet and/or TV on phones etc., a posture imbalance occurs. All this technology leads to what I call micro traumas to the upper thoracic spine, cervical spine, and shoulders. Over time, this posture stress will create muscle problems, which will lead to skeletal problems.
[Editor's Note: Apparently the Gazette removed or changed links for this article shortly after it was published.]
Apparently this isn’t just an immediate pain problem. The long-term effects can lead to more than just neck pain, shoulder aches and tension headaches. In fact over time the head’s weight can pull on the shoulders more and more, leading to a more dramatic humped shape in the spine that compresses the vertebrae and can even cause bone fractures.
But there’s good news — this is a widespread problem that’s well known and discussed, and if all you have is a pain in your neck, you can take care of yourself and prevent the dreaded “Dowager Hump.”
Technology was created for our good and it doesn’t have to control our lives. Blogging can be useful and relevant, inanities are fun distractions (and exist offline as much as online), and we are masters of our own destiny. As long as we make health our priority, we don’t have to feel like we’re victims of any pervasive “Syndrome.”
So, step away from the computer every so often, stretch your arms up in the air, breathe deep and give thanks for that beautiful spine you have, and your shoulder and neck muscles.
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Alan says:
November 7th, 2008 at 2:18 am
I would invite you to visit http://www.posturejac.com to see an intereseting tool to restore stability and normal alignment to you spine. This is handy enough to take with you wherever you go and wear it around for many types of stressful activities.
There are lots of video demonstrations of exercises and theory - geared to professionals as well. I think you might like it.
Amy Hengst says:
November 11th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Alan, that is an interesting idea. However I would fear that using a back support constantly would actually weaken your back muscles. With back support holding you in place, your muscles don’t have to do the work, which means you become more and more reliant on the device, while your muscles stop being able to function. They get weak, then more prone to injury.
If you could use it to retrain your body, by “teaching” your muscles what the proper alignment feels like, it could be a useful tool, but that might require some coaching. It’s my understanding that some physical therapy methods such as Feldenkrais method are also aimed at re-learning how the body should be properly aligned, so as to limit one’s likelihood of injuring oneself through improper posture.