When using smart phones, have you ever wondered what the daily exposure to technology is doing to your body? It’s something most of us try to keep out of our heads — literally. Except some scientists have found that the impact of technology exposure is very much inside of our heads — but not in the way you might think.
Australian researchers have found, via X-ray, that out of hundreds of people aged 18 to 86 who use smart phones, about a third of them — prepare yourself for this grossness! — are growing bone spurs at the base of their skulls.
Many of these bumps were even larger in young people and more common in men (who, perhaps, use their smart phones more?). The spurs themselves range in size from 10 to 31 millimeters, and feel like big lumps.
Admit it — you just felt the base of your skull to see if you have one, didn’t you?
According to NBC, the growths are classified as “prominent exostosis…emanating from the external occipital protuberance.” Basically, this means that humans are indeed growing bumps at the very base of their skulls.
Now, these growths, classified as bone spurs, in and of themselves are common, and are hardly some unheard of monstrosity. They’re essentially bony growths that form on top of existing bones, usually due to inflammation or damage to joint cartilage.
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For example, if you’re constantly lacking good posture and looking down at your smart phone — referred to as “forward head flexion” — you might be stressing the joints in your neck, causing a bone spur. They don’t typically cause pain, but if they get large enough they can cause chronic pain and other health problems, according to emedicine.com.
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The funny thing, according to NBC, is that no one really seemed to care about the study when it was published.
Apparently, we’re all doomed to accept that we’re addicted to our machines and devices, and slowly transforming into The Borg (any Trekkie fans here?).
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But then an article published by BBC, exploring the way the human body is changing to accommodate our use of technology, featured the study and got people talking about it again.
Like, psst, guys, we’re growing lumps!
The issue is this: We’ve only had these devices for a short time — a blip on the human existence radar. And we have to be cognizant of the impact they may be having on us.
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Countless studies have found that our addictive use of smart phones is an issue.
One 2017 study found that “one-fourth of the study population were found having feeling of wrist and hand pain because of smart phone use, which may lead to further physiological and physiological complication.”
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Another study from 2016 found that addiction to smart phones and computers lead to “sleep disturbance, anxiety, stress, and, to a lesser extent, depression.” The same study also found a link between “problematic cellphone use and substance use such as tobacco and alcohol.”
Seriously, the list goes on and on.
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Oh, and it’s impacting kids, too.
Yikes!
Another study review found that “…there is a relationship between cellphone addiction and adolescent’s mental or physical health whether they have direct or indirect relation. We cannot neglect the relation and its adverse effects on adolescents. It is suggested that more studies should be done in this regard to clarify their nature of relations.”
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The bottom line? We’ve got to get up and get moving.
Staring down at our phones (and computers) can wreak havoc on our bodies if we’re not smart.
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Staring for hours at a device is bound to cause all sorts of health issues. But they can at least be neutralized if we stretch, strengthen our muscles, and get our bodies moving more often.
Here are a few things we can do, according to Spine Health:
Raise your phone or computer position.
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Use a standing desk, keep your phone at eye line, and be aware of how often you’re keeping your neck in a downward position.
Take breaks — a lot.
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Just get up, walk around, shake it off, stretch your neck, and do a few neck rolls. Give your body a chance to re-calibrate.
Be mindful about keeping better posture.
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One of the main ways we are giving ourselves trouble is by ignoring the importance of posture. How we sit, stand, and walk all matters. Raise your neck, straighten your back, and be diligent!
Exercise more often.
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Exercising allows us to strengthen the muscles that can otherwise lead to slouching. And the more we concentrate on taking care of our bodies, the more we’re invested in doing the little things — like putting our phones down here and there.
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These machines have only been around for a little while, but their impact has already been huge.
They’re fun and make our lives easier, sure, but it’s important to remember that we are human! Move, get out and smell the fresh air, read books (made of paper!) and talk to one another. In person.