Pain

Why Laptops Are The Biggest Contributors to Poor Posture and Neck Pain

Written by Ashley Williams, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS, CASp | Feb 28, 2023 3:18:59 PM

Laptops are enemy #1 when it comes to preventing forward head posture or posture which can lead to neck pain while working.

Clinical Biomechanics found that forward head posture causes shortening of the muscular fibers around the articulation points of the atlantooccipitalis and overstretching of muscles around joints, possibly producing chronic neck pain. 1

Here are the reasons why:

1Laptops are generally smaller and lighter than desktop computers, which can make them more portable and convenient to use. However, their smaller size can also make them more difficult to use comfortably for long periods of time.

2Your vision controls your posture and the smaller screens and keyboards than desktop computers, can make you look down. The small size of laptops can lead to poor posture and shoulder pain, as people may lean forward or hunch over in order to see the screen or type on the keyboard.

3Laptops are often used in a variety of different locations and positions, such as on a couch or in bed. This can lead to poor posture, as people may not have a dedicated workspace with proper ergonomic equipment.

4Laptops are often used while sitting, which can contribute to poor posture and neck pain. Sitting in an office chair that doesn’t support your posture can lead to muscle fatigue and strain, particularly in the neck and upper back.

To help reduce the risk of poor posture and neck pain while using a laptop, it is recommended to use an external keyboard and mouse, and to use a laptop stand or other device to raise the screen to eye level. It is also important to take frequent breaks to stretch and move around, and to use a chair with pelvis support.

If you are looking to reduce neck pain while sitting, look no further than Anthros.

Anthros is the only chair in the world that is guaranteed to improve posture, or your money back. The science-backed, patented design is registered with the FDA as a posture-improving chair and is proven to have the lowest pressure (most comfortable) cushion on the planet (verified by university testing).

Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance!