Working Well Resources' Blog

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

I have a number of corporate clients that come in for short tune up massages on either the chair or massage table each week. Invariably I hear the same complaints: my neck hurts, my shoulders hurt, my head hurts. Then I ask them, aside from computer work, do you have a smart phone? (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc.) Often the answer for those with the worst neck pain is: yes.

Megan Bubenyak, offered to let me photograph her in the “bad” iPhone viewing position, then in the modified, more comfortable position I recommend for smart phone viewing on the bus, train or subway.

In the first pic, Megan’s head is leaning too far forward and her arms are doing all the work to hold the phone up to her face.

Poor Smart Phone Ergonomics

In this second pic, Megan has balanced a backpack on her lap and uses it to wedge her elbows in. In this position, she can sit more upright, more comfortably hold her phone in front of her face and her arms and shoulder’s don’t have to do all the work to hold the phone up.

Better Smart Phone viewing position on public trans

If you don’t have a backpack, a purse will do. If you have neither, go ahead and invest in a cheap backpack and a small travel pillow. Stuff the pillow in the backpack and then viola! You have a comfy portable smart phone holder that is lightweight and as a bonus, it holds “stuff” for you too!

Close up of comfy backpack smart phone holder position

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