Technology is a big part of our daily lives now. Technology is advancing rapidly, and the human race needs help to catch up. We are unhappy with 4G internet speed; let us move on to 5G now. Even when we are asleep, mail comes to us demanding action. Humans must function as fast as technology—the mind and body must work fast enough to catch up.

Unsurprisingly, an increasing number of patients are turning up in clinics complaining of pain in the arms and hands. Most of these patients are not aware of the cause of pain. Typing, texting, scrolling, and swiping have become the norm of daily life. How could such activities of low forces injure our body and cause pain?

Kim and Kim (2015) and Amjad et al. (2020) reported a correlation between complaints of musculoskeletal pain and time spent on smartphones.

Globally, the average screen time of adults is 6 hours and 40 minutes, Howarth (2024). The human body is designed to hunt and stand upright, so we have all the different curvatures in the spine to allow that to happen. We are more sedentary now, which upsets the biomechanics of our bodies. Other forces and pressures are stressing our musculoskeletal system, causing pain—as our body tells us, it does not like what we do to the body.

What can a hand therapist do?

1.              A thorough musculoskeletal assessment to find the source and cause of pain

2.              Ergonomic assessment and advice on workstation or smartphone use

3.              Provide splints and supports to relieve arm, wrist and hand pain

4.              Exercises to strengthen muscles and improve pain

5.              Advice on the posture of work and exercises during work

Pain management for this condition can be complex and involve multifactorial aspects. Hand therapists are well-trained to find the cause and devise ways to mitigate this problem. More often, a lifestyle change will be needed to prevent the recurrence of the problem.

Despite the commonality of technology as the cause, every case is different, and Hand Therapy management will differ accordingly.

References:

1. Amjad, F, Farooq MN, Batool R and Irsahd A. Frequency of wrist pain and its associated risk factors in students using mobile phones. Pak J Med Sci. 2020 May-Jun; 36(4): 746-749.
2. Howarth, J, June 24, 2024, Alarming Average Screen Time Statistic (2024), Exploding Topics, https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats
3. Kim HJ, Kim J. The relationship between smartphone uses and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms and university student . J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):575–579
4.  Stalin P, Abraham SB, Kanimozhy K, Prasad RV, Singh Z, Purty AJ. Mobile phone usage and its health effects among adults in a semi-urban area of southern Indi . J Clin Diagn Res. 2016;10(1)