Musculoskeletal pain is quite common among people who frequently use computers and the internet. This complication is also known as repetitive strain injury or cumulative trauma disorder. Common problems for frequent computer and internet users include headaches, neck pain, wrist pain, and back pain. Major contributing factors include the duration of computer use, workload, and increased work-related stress. It is noteworthy that the main users are office workers and students, both belonging to the young and working-age population.
Article by MD, Specialist level I - Vo Khac Khoi Nguyen - Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
The use of computers and the internet has rapidly increased over the past decades and is associated with various musculoskeletal disorders. Globally, the number of people affected by musculoskeletal diseases has risen by 25% in the last decade, accounting for 2% of the global disease burden.
1. How Does Musculoskeletal Pain Affect Us?
How does the increasing use of computers, mobile devices, and the internet impact our musculoskeletal system? Understanding this helps the community recognize the potential dangers of prolonged computer and internet use and better organize computer-related work for their health benefits.
A community-based study surveying office workers and students aged 18 to 50 who used computers and the internet for more than 3 hours daily showed surprising results regarding the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. Up to 44.7% reported musculoskeletal problems affecting at least one of four body regions: back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. Common symptoms included headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and back pain. These musculoskeletal issues showed a significant correlation with computer use duration. Despite being related to prolonged computer and internet use, these symptoms are often underestimated and easily overlooked.
2. Duration of Computer and Internet Use
An important finding is that individuals experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms in anatomical areas such as the neck, shoulders, wrists, and headaches typically use computers for more than 6 hours per day. Similar results were observed among students in multiple countries and office workers in multinational companies. Studies indicate a causal relationship: the longer the computer and internet use, the higher the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal pain.
3. Back Pain
Back pain due to prolonged computer use is a common problem among office workers. Research shows that prolonged sitting and sedentary work are risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in general, especially back pain. Low back pain occurs in 44% of computer users after 4 hours of sitting and 35% after 3 hours. This means the longer one sits at the computer, the greater the risk of back pain. Prolonged sitting can also cause muscle stiffness, increased pressure on spinal discs, and strain on ligaments and muscles adjacent to the spine.
4. Neck and Shoulder Pain
A similar study in a software company found that 90% of participants reported musculoskeletal symptoms, with the upper limbs affected more than the lower limbs and back. Increased neck and shoulder pain was associated with psychological stress, while back pain correlated with increased workload.
Neck and shoulder pain is also linked to keyboard use. Previous studies have identified keyboard use as a significant risk factor for neck and shoulder symptoms. The risk of neck and shoulder pain increases fourfold with keyboard use. Lack of forearm support while typing increases load on the arms and shoulders, leading to neck pain.
5. Hand and Wrist Pain
Hand and wrist pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint (31.6%) among frequent computer and internet users. Interestingly, women experience these symptoms more than men. Among computer users, 40% of women reported hand symptoms compared to 25% of men. This difference may be due to biological vulnerability and a lower pain tolerance threshold in women.
Hand and wrist pain is associated with computer use duration. Repetitive movements of the hands and wrists during keyboard and mouse use may explain the association between hand symptoms and computer use time.
In the era of technology and digitalization, we often forget that our bodies need proper posture and breaks when using these devices. People who take regular breaks during computer work tend to experience less musculoskeletal pain.
Proper awareness in the community can help design work tasks scientifically and reasonably, reducing prolonged sitting time at computers. The reality shows that office workers and students often suffer from headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and back pain. These issues directly or indirectly affect their work performance and quality. Changing a sedentary lifestyle by incorporating physical activity and a balanced diet plays an important role in reducing these problems.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
