Once just pushed aside as growing pains, more and more children are being diagnosed with repetitive stress injuries. The key culprits behind this are usually using adult sized equipment (like computers), carrying to much weight (like overloaded backpacks) and spending to much time with gadgets (like video games and cell phones).
It is a fact of life that children use computers. Between the home and the classroom kids are starting computer use younger and younger.
And since most of the computers they use are actually sized for the adult user they hold a poor posture and have to strain their hands and wrists to use the adult size keyboard. Because of this children are developing tendonitis, bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other wrist related repetitive stress injuries hand over foot.
Overloaded backpacks are causing back pain in children in almost epic numbers. Some studies show that 64% of all school age children suffer some form of back pain.
Technology and children are inseparable. Gadgets and games provide hours upon hours of entertainment. And that’s the problem. Too much repetition causes repetitive stress.
Recently an 8 year old girl from England was diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury from text messaging on her cell phone. Many adults still suffer from the “Nintendo Thumb” they developed as a child.
Growing bodies can not handle that kind of stress. And without corrective actions some of those injuries can become permanent.
Understanding the causes of repetitive stress injuries and the ways to prevent them can make a world of difference. Educate your child. Make a repetitive stress injury review part of your child's back to school yearly physical.
Repetitive stress injuries are a real threat to children. Proper ergonomics, a healthy diet and exercise can combat these issues and give your child a happy child hood.
References: Negrini S, Carabalona R and Sibilla P (1999). Back pain as a daily load for school children. The Lancet 354: 1974.
