Many of us find it hard to spend a day, hour, or even a minute without using our cellphones. We have access to anything and everyone right at our fingertips. A new study has revealed that injuries to the neck, face, eyes, nose, and head have risen immensely over the last 20 years.
Why?
It's because these types of injuries occur while walking and texting or by distracted driving from cell phone use.
Most of these cell phone-related injuries happened to people between 13 and 29 years old. The most common injuries were cuts to the face and head. Brain contusions, injury to internal organs, and abrasions were the second most common injuries.
The study revealed that although most of these injuries did not require hospitalization, the long-term effects can be costly in several ways. A facial laceration, especially one that has been infected, can cause scarring to the face that can weigh heavily on self-esteem and self-image. The repair of facial lacerations costs the U.S. healthcare system a whopping 3 billion dollars a year.
Before the release of the first iPhone in 2007, these types of injuries seldom happened. The authors of the study stated, “Although mobile telephones were gaining popularity prior to that time point, their functions were limited and they were therefore less likely to be major distractions when compared to modern-day smartphones.”
Other studies have revealed how cell phone use can be damaging to the neck and upper back. For every inch your head is tilted from a neutral position, the pressure on the spine doubles. Looking down for several minutes straight can cause injury to the spine.
These injuries range from strain on the muscles of the spine to spinal misalignments and can lead to what chiropractors call “text neck” – a straightening of the neck’s natural curve. In the long term, arthritic and degenerative changes can take place in the joints of the spine.
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Cell-phone distraction-related deaths have risen as well. In 2018, The National Safety Council found that almost 3,000 people died in distraction-affected crashes. The Governors Highway Safety Association estimated that there were more than 6,000 pedestrian deaths in 2018. Numbers have not been this high in 20 years.
This study shows that not only is texting while driving a major concern but so is texting while walking. Even if you decide to text while standing on the sidewalk, you can still be distracted and not see the person who is about walk smack into you – they’re texting, too.
Save the use of your smartphone for when you are in an area that isn’t crowded by people, pets, bikes, and cars. For those who spend hours on end using smart devices, especially children, learn how to prevent spinal injury with proper posture techniques.
Dr. Candace McMillon-Dantley is on a mission to inspire and educate women to health. She is the creator of The Doc Knows, a health and wellness site for women. When she’s not health writing, she is health motivating and educating through presentations on healthy nutrition, self-care, and conditions of the body. Her experiences as a business owner, chiropractor, wife, and mom of two resonate with all women. Connect with Dr. Candace on Instagram @drcandace.
