Physiotherapists warn against active text life

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is warning against text message injury (TMI) with news that one in six (16%) of 16-24 year olds experience discomfort in their hands when they send text messages. They're urging people of all ages to keep messages short, with a recommendation to use abbreviations and the predictive text function. They also say texters should try to restrict text sessions to 5-10 minutes and avoid holding the phone if they are not using it. The CSP has created a 5-step programme to safer texting:

1. Hold the phone up with the screen facing towards you so you are not having to flex your neck too much as you look down to view the screen.
2. Keep your hands close to your body. The weight of a phone may not feel much, but the load on your arm is significantly increased if the arm is held out stretched and this action will put strain on your neck and shoulder muscles.
3. Try to use both hands together when texting to “spread the load”. Keep messages short and use abbreviations and the predictive text messaging feature on your phone. This will help reduce the repetitive motion of pressing various keys.
4. Don’t text continuously. Try to take breaks by putting the phone down between text messages.
5. Carry out the following two exercises to prevent text message injury:
   Regularly open your fingers and stretch them out.
   Stretch your arm out, rotate your wrist so it is facing upwards and with your other hand pull your palm down towards the floor to feel a stretch over the front of your forearm muscles. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.