TIPs on Body Posture When Using Mobile Devices

A new findings carried out by some experts have shown that texting and using mobile devices for long periods of time could lead to a lower life expectancy.

Chiropractic experts believe the hunching posture adopted by phone or tablet users can cause breathing problems, leading to cardiovascular issues later in life and a higher risk of death in older age.

According to the study done by the UK United Chiropractic Association (UCA), poor posture could pose as big a risk to a person's health as obesity.

The research also detected a link between forward-leaning postures people use while texting, going online, sending e-mails and playing videogames, and hyperkyphosis, which is associated with pulmonary disease and cardiovascular problems.

The research suggests that when someone drops their head and rounds their shoulders while looking at a phone or tablet, it is harder for them to take a full breath because of the restriction to their muscles.

In addition, the ribs can't move properly so the heart and lungs cannot function to their full effectiveness.

More often than not, people do not know they could be doing serious long-term damage to their body because the short-term effects are not as noticeable, the study says.

* Findings say lying awkwardly while using a mobile device is dangerous to health

It added that it is only in later life that the effects can seriously affect quality of life.

This has increased fears that younger people, who are society's biggest users of smartphones and tablets, could be knocking years off of their life expectancy.

Elderly folk with a slight amount of hyperkyphosis have a much higher risk of mortality when compared with those without it.

This is similar to the increase in risk of death from having a body mass index greater than 30, according to the UCA's figures.

The research recommends to people to get their posture checked by a chiropractor to make sure it is correct and not giving them any potential negative health effects.

Definition

Hyperkyphosis is a spinal deformity that looks like a forward-curved posture of the head, upper back or thoracic spine - known as a hunchback.

It is identified when the curvature of the spine is more than 40 degrees.

The worsening of the condition over time is associated with a higher risk of health problems later in life.

Causes

Hyperkyphosis can result from conditions such as osteoporosis or thinning bones, as well as fractures of the vertebrae that result from thin bones.

However, there are several suspected causes for the spinal deformity when vertebral fractures are not present.

Hyperkyphosis may result from poor habitual posture, muscle weakness, degenerative disc disease, ligament degeneration, or hereditary factors.

Effects

Difficulty breathing, despite no history of lung or heart disease.

Lessening of the distance between the lowest ribs and the pelvic bones.

Pulmonary problems caused by increased strain on the heart muscle.