| Are Computer games responsible for increased back | | | | with the understanding of the interrelationships of |
| pain cases among the nation's teenagers? | | | | structure and function of living beings with respect to |
| The problem of low back and neck pain in teenagers | | | | the kinematics and kinetics of motion" |
| is likely to increase significantly in years to come, | | | | Poor Posture associated by the following: |
| This seems on the cards considering the associated | | | | Genetic disorders, Familial association, Irregular/no |
| health problems of obesity, reduced levels of activity, | | | | exercise, Bad habits when sitting or standing, Carrying |
| and the popularity of passive entertainment systems | | | | excess loads, (School/shopping) Underweight |
| such as play stations that encourage further inactivity | | | | Overweight (Inadequate diet) |
| and prolonged sitting posture in the adolescent age | | | | Mental Attitude towards oneself. |
| group. | | | | Biomechanics is our way of describing how each bit |
| Terry O'Brien of Back Trouble UK says "While 80 | | | | of your body moves in relation to another bit. |
| percent of the population are likely to experience low | | | | Our bodies are fantastic at compensating when |
| back pain at some stage in their life, there is a | | | | things are not quite perfect but unfortunately when |
| worrying trend in the amount of back pain | | | | we run out of compensations we usually end up with |
| experienced by teenagers. | | | | pain and stiffness. |
| It is well founded that having another family member | | | | Let's have a look at some of the more common |
| with a history of back pain means you are more | | | | biomechanical problems: |
| likely to develop back pain as an adolescent. As does | | | | Problem 1. |
| poor family functioning and increased life stress. | | | | It's the fashion not to tie trainers and shoes up but |
| Higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression are | | | | this prevents the shoe from supporting the inside of |
| also associated with adolescent back pain. | | | | the foot and allows the foot to roll or 'pronate' too |
| Back pain is commonly provoked by sporting activity | | | | much in standing and walking. |
| and static postures such as sitting. It is also known | | | | This means the knee and the hip rolls inwards too |
| that specific sporting groups such as rowers are at | | | | much which makes the inside calf and inside thigh |
| higher risk of back pain. | | | | muscle shorter. The iliotibial band can then rub against |
| Children seem to fall into two broad groups, those | | | | the outside knee giving pain. |
| doing very little activity and those doing too much. | | | | Further up, the bottom muscles become too long and |
| Both groups are prone to back pain.However it is the | | | | stop working as they should do which puts added |
| worrying trend of inactivity amongst adolescents that | | | | stress on the pelvis and low back joints. Before you |
| is the greatest cause for concern. Fuelled by the | | | | know it you have back pain, knee pain and ankle pain! |
| dramatic increase in computer games and multi-media | | | | And all because of fashion! |
| consoles." | | | | Problem 2. |
| Let us now look at Bio-Mechanics. | | | | Whether you drive 5 miles or 500 miles a day your |
| Bio-mechanics and its association to Back Pain. | | | | car seat is really important. In many cars the base of |
| When our body is in the standing position it is in a | | | | the seat slopes backwards. In fact some of the |
| state of unsteady equilibrium because the base is | | | | more expensive cars are the worst because they |
| small and the centre of gravity is a long way above | | | | want you to feel 'snug' and safe in the seat. |
| it. That is why it has to be balanced by keeping the | | | | However, this position forces your pelvis to sit too |
| centre of gravity over the base, otherwise the body | | | | far backwards. |
| would fall over. | | | | Once this happens your low back and upper back |
| Equilibrium: The steadiness of the body depends on | | | | flex forward too much but then your neck muscles |
| the size of its base and the distance of the centre of | | | | have to work really hard to stop your head from |
| gravity from that base. An object having a large | | | | flexing too much and allow you to see where you |
| base and a low centre of gravity is not easily upset. | | | | are going. This position then forces your shoulder |
| The first thing necessary in order to accomplish good | | | | blades to stretch too far forwards and a large stress |
| posture is to straighten the neck, keep the chin | | | | is placed on both the front and the back of the |
| down and back. The second important thing is | | | | shoulder. |
| correct deep breathing. | | | | The result is neck pain and /or upper or low back |
| The line of gravity in the fundamental standing | | | | pain. This position can exacerbate sciatica as it is a big |
| position falls in front of the ears, and in front of the | | | | stretch for the nerves. |
| cervical and dorsal vertebrae, through the lumbar | | | | The solution is to raise the back of the seat so it |
| vertebrae, through the hip joint, and slightly in front | | | | becomes more horizontal. Some cars allow you to |
| of the ankle joint. But this probably varies in | | | | alter this angle but if yours does not then sit on a |
| individuals according to their build and height. | | | | small cushion or buy a special wedge shape cushion |
| "Biomechanics is that branch of science concerned | | | | that fits into the seat. |