Posted on 3rd Sep 2011 @ 6:43 PM

After the novelty of personal computers and laptop computers wore off, people began complaining about some of their limitations, like superfluous features and components or those annoying touch pads. But most importantly, they just weren't all that convenient for people on the go.

Then the iPad came along. And while it addressed all of these issues and revolutionized the way people thought about computers, for many people it has become a pain in the neck - literally.

"Hey! Sit up straight!"

With the surge in popularity of the iPad and other "tablet" computer devices, some experts are seeing a concurrent rise in instances of neck and back pain. Massage therapists are noticing more patients who come in with neck discomfort and soreness after using their iPads for long stretches. And an ergonomic expert is concerned that the prevalence of iPad usage may increase the number of people with chronic neck pain. Dr. Jodi Okman at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, is worried that this trend might start to show up in young children, some of whom begin using the iPad for formal learning as early as age three.

"Jason! Turn off your iPad and go to bed! You've got preschool in the morning!"

The reason why iPads are the source of so much pain has to do with the most common body postures seen in people who use them. In most cases, iPad users slouch forward and bend their necks down while operating the device – an ergonomic disaster. When this position is maintained for a lengthy period of time, the muscles in the neck start to become stressed and inflamed. Over time, the pain can become stronger and more troublesome - and take longer to go away.

So how can iPad users avoid being stricken with debilitating neck pain? Here are some suggestions:

• Using an iPad as an e-reader is usually okay; but for most other tasks, make yourself take periodic breaks to stretch out your neck and shoulder muscles. This may require you to pause your game from time to time.
  
  
• Whenever possible, vary your body positions. Hold the iPad up with one hand and use your other to navigate the touch screen. Lounge in a chair and prop the iPad on your bent knees for support. Even lay down on a bed or sofa while using it.
  
  
• If you are going to use your iPad for tasks which require lots of typing, invest in an external keyboard. If possible, lean the iPad up against a wall or desk accessory so that it faces you (or buy an iPad stand which is designed for this purpose). This will eliminate the need to hunch over an iPad that is sitting on a flat surface facing upward.
  

Or get a good-sized spider. That'll work too.

Because the iPad is still quite new, there is no empirical research to assess how much of a health threat the iPad poses for frequent users. But given the types of injuries seen with other computing devices and electronic gadgets, it's pretty clear that the iPad has the potential to become a major pain in the neck for users who aren't careful.