Information Technology brings us into a computer era which facilitates our work and life with higher efficiency. The trend of SOHO makes lot of people stay longer with their beloved at home. Internet links people on the globe no matter where they are. Mobile computers could be fit into pockets and could do almost all the works used to be operated with a giant computer system. Wonderful predictions describe our future packed with miracle IT products.
From the view of a health worker, what changes our body with computer works? Unfortunately, we found more people who work extensively with a computer, suffer with stiff neck, shoulder pains, carpal tunnel, spinal disorder, headache or migraine, numb fingers, sore arm, blur vision, stomach problems, back pains and stress etc. The list can be longer if we see a person sitting all day with IT products around in an office or even the pockets. We often see people in a bus busy switch between iPods, Blackberries, cell phones and PDAs every day. Talk with an accountant or IT worker who could tell you how they feel the body cope with modern technology. During the recent 10 years clinic practice in China, Europe and Canada, I could witness how more and more people ‘benefit’ with Wintel system, hence comes the term CAS- Computer work-Affected-Symptoms. It is good to find more ergonomic IT accessories in the market to help, which also improve the public notice of health concern.
Let’s have an inner look at how computer work affects our body. Sitting in front of a computer weather a desktop or laptop, the angel and distance between the eyes and the monitor set up a vertical triangle with the keyboard. The mouse and our both shoulders set another triangle which decides the lateral level. Another vertical triangle constructed with the feet and the whole spine from vertex down the sitting bone.
Now we notice the whole spine is involved at work. Like you learned from your driver’s guide, a good composition will sit you comfortable during your driving which is much less than the time you work with a computer. Well, lots of people drive to work and accompany a computer for the rest of the day. Some spend more after work hours with video game or TV which are under the spell of IT as well.
We count on the natural curve of the spine to perform a healthy system. Overload or lack of tune will end up with a malfunction, spinal disorder and lots of other symptoms. Most people start with a cervical disorder after a period of computer work. The term ‘dental neck’ may be soon taken place by ‘computer neck’. Clinically, patients complain a stiff neck with pains, sometimes shooting down to the arms or even fingers. Tingling and pins of needles are very common among those. Diagnosis often finds a cervical disorder with pinched nerves. While working with a computer, people commonly look at the monitor for hours with the head lean forward for a clear vision, thus throw too much weight of the head to the tendons and ligaments which hold the curve of spine. The first cervical disc (C1) is pretty tiny and it needs the balance of lower discs and ligaments to support the head. The overload to C1 will be shared by other cervical discs and the shoulders to maintain. Accumulated tension will cause the whole neck and shoulder overworked, and reduces local circulation and flexibility, which eventually get dislocation of vertebral discs and pinch nerves. It is called Nerve (N) type cervical disorder in clinic. Our brains consume a lot of oxygen while competing with the fast running computer, this call up more artery work to supply. The conflict between the busy artery in the neck and narrowed disc tunnel by the tensed neck tissues makes thing worse. It is named as Artery (A) type cervical disorder which usually bears with headache or even vertigo. Actual clinic experience find more people suffer with blending type includes type N and A, as any past accidental injury may make it even more complicated.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we explain the symptom as local blockage of meridian system which impact associated networks in the shoulder and upper limb channels. Therefore the treatment principle is to relive any blockage and improve local energy and blood circulation. Painkiller can be applied to “cheat” the pain away, whereas a long term recovery needs to clear the root cause.
Acupressure (Tuina) can be applied to improve local circulation and correct dislocation. Rolling and Digital Finger Meditation (Yizhi Zen) manipulation have long been proved effective to treat such condition. Acupuncture, cupping or moxibustion are focus on the tuning of meridian system and pain management. Herbal remedy, no matter internal or external application will improve circulation and speed up recovery.
Shoulder joints are often affected during computer work as the second triangle we mentioned above explains how the lateral level performs during work. One hand holding the mouse and constant clicking pull same side shoulder forward and the weight of that limb loaded on the shoulder which easily breaks the balance. Trigger points located in the left picture are commonly found in clinic and fully recovery will help lower the risk of frozen shoulder and arthritis. Meridians blocked in the shoulder will cause problems in the arm and hand. That’s why acupuncturists sometimes use acupoints in the shoulder to treat arm, elbow or hand disorders. In TCM treatment, not always the local sites with problem get treated but the whole body system involved.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is really killing. The acute pain comes from chronically overwork of the wrist. Keyboard and mouse are always found guilty in that condition. Upgrade with an ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse is a better way out even you have not find carpal tunnel with you. Get your elbow firmly supported is also important, as a short while of working with the elbow lift up can burden the shoulder joints. That’s why sitting in an armchair can bring more relaxation. Acupuncture and acupressure are the best therapies for carpal tunnel syndrome. Try to rotate your wrist joints now, and if you hear clicks then you’d better have it treated.
If you think CAS happens only to your skeleton system, then read on to see how internal conditions are involved. Our internal organs are mostly protected and supported by the rib case. When we bend forward the shoulders and lean our bodies toward the computer, the collar bone will press downward and load the pressure to the entire rib case. That’s why we often feel short of breathe while working long hours with computers. Actually, the whole internal organs will be influenced. The gravity of the earth already makes our organs descend with time; additional pressure from the daily computer work will make it worse. Fortunately, therapies in TCM could help that condition. Keeping a good habit of the sitting posture is also very important. Nowadays research find office works suffer higher rate of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Computers really work to help that. In last century, we had the chance to sit back and sip a cup of coffee while the computer processing our order; modern computers just run too fast. Time is money, but fast pace doesn’t pay your health. Stress and anxiety, the known silent killers get more chance to upgrade themselves with the Intel-inside.
This article is not mean to curse the computer, actually it is written with my laptop at home. We have to be a wise user of the IT. By knowing the problem, we could be more careful and know where to find the solution for treatment and prevention. There are quite lot notices of the problems and more attention from the public will secure our good health. Remind yourself to work ergonomically, have more breaks and do more stretch. Of course, think your health and treat your body for preventative concerns.
