Can the Internet Make You Sick?

We live in age where technology is king! Our phones act as mini computers where we can schedule, e-mail, surf the internet and actually talk to other people (although some people manage to avoid human interaction by sending 20,000 text messages a month). Not only do most people use a computer all day at work, but they come home and surf the internet, play on-line computer games and update their social media status, over and over...and over again. Humans are more connected now than ever before and we learn about current events so much faster than in the past. To put things in perspective...when I started college in 1996, it was the first time I was able to surf the internet without tying up the telephone line and no one, and mean no one, had a cell phone. Crazy and wild times!

Some people tend to spend more time on the computer than others, but it seems that overall we are spending more and more time staring at our computer screens. It seems that the younger generation, especially college students, tend to be the group that is most guilty of "computer abuse". Prolonged time at the computer can lead to several physical ailments that can affect your activities of daily living. Overuse of the computer can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS. CTS causes pain, numbness and burning in your thumb, first finger and middle finger. This can be caused by typing too much on your keyboard with your wrists held in the wrong position for extended periods of time. Overuse of the computer can also lead to lower back and neck aches, severe headaches, dry eyes, strained vision and sleep disturbances. Many of these symptoms are exacerbated by the fact that people's work stations are not set up properly. The monitor may be too low or high, the mouse may be too far away, the keyboard too close and even the height of your chair can lead to spinal and muscle pain.

If you are an individual, or you know someone, who is always on the computer and complaining of any of the symptoms that I listed above, chiropractic care or massage therapy can really help. Not only can a chiropractor help to alleviate muscular and joint pain quickly, but most chiropractors are very aware of the proper ergonomics for a desk or one's work station. Even if spending excessive amounts of time on the computer is unavoidable, a chiropractic treatment can help prevent your aches and pains from getting worse and can even prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place!