Laptops can cause students major back pain. Photo by Jed Strahm

A major pain in the back

By Lauren Cusimano
Special to West Times

A new epidemic could very well be at hand. Laptops are damaging spines left and right, clouding the future of perfect posture.

Simon Crompton of London’s The Times reported in May of 2007 that laptops encourage bad posture, thus causing an epidemic of musculoskeletal problems due to the descent of notebook prices and increase of wi-fi technology.

The problem lies within the position many laptop users assume. According to Crompton, the backs, shoulders and necks of many users are getting bent out of shape at school, at home, on public transportation and at work.

“I’m on computers most of the day and after awhile they can be physically taxing,” sociology senior Leanne Young said, “but I try to adjust my posture or change the way I am sitting to prevent that.”

The British Chiropractic Association survey indicates that 50 percent of 16-to-24-year-olds are suffering from back pain. Compare that to the 18 percent from just three years ago. The average student laptop usage is almost six hours a day and often takes place on the floor, lap or bed.

Chiropractor Michael Durtnall said in the report that of his patients are also developing early dowager’s humps. According to London’s The Daily Telegraph, dowager’s hump is “the reduction in height and increased curvature of the spine.”

What is scary about the situation is that it is relatively unheard of. This problem arose so fast with laptops becoming such a trend so quickly.

Some students don’t see it this way, however.

“I think laptops are pretty good. You have that extra space on the keyboard so you don’t get carpal tunnel, and the screen adjusts and tilts at different angles so you can sit in whatever posture you want,” kinesiology junior Marc Jaffa said.

In 2000, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive reported that the primary problem with laptop use is the position between the keyboard and the screen. It would seem almost impossible to not strain the neck or the wrists with constant laptop use.

Of course, laptops are still cooler than desktop computers for the college bound or the college-in.

“I remember when the screen was so bad on my dad’s desktop in 1995 that I would get headaches from sitting at the computer too long,” Jaffa said.

With laptop awareness, to each his own. Be aware of strain and bad posture while at the laptop. Don’t disregard discomfort of the neck, shoulders, back and wrists.

The solution to this can be as easy as getting up and stretching during essay writing or online classes. The recommended amount is one minute for every 15 minutes. One could also invest in a docking station, an external mouse, an external keyboard, a portable laptop stand, purchasing a laptop with height adjustments for the screen and making sure the buy is as light as possible.