The explosion of
popularity in video game systems and computer
usage has also led to the problem of carpal
tunnel syndrome coming to the forefront of
society in general. As carpal tunnel syndrome
and other similar injuries continue to increase,
and afflict younger and younger individuals,
questions arise as to how relevant a link exists
between carpal tunnel syndrome and video games.
While the general assumption is made that a
correlation does exist, and that kids who play
a lot of video games will be at increased risk
for carpal tunnel syndrome than those who do
not, but surprisingly few studies have been
done at his point to confirm or deny that.
The most recent studies seem to have some unexpected
and startling results.
Several recent studies funded by the federal
government suggest that there actually is no
connection between carpal tunnel syndrome and
office work, carpal tunnel syndrome and computer
use, or carpal tunnel syndrome and playing
video games. While each of these things may
affect certain individuals negatively, most
of the studies that have actually been done
recently seem to suggest that individuals who
play a lot of video games or do a lot of computer
work have the same percentage rate of carpal
tunnel syndrome per capita than those who do
not. Though, touting this study may not be
the end all, be all, of an argument, because
there are many injuries that are similar to
carpal tunnel syndrome in nature, and many
of these are believed to be a result of increased
video game playing.
Though carpel
tunnel syndrome is usually an
affliction that affects individuals over the
age of thirty, though some children have been
known to have it. Injuries such as tendonitis,
bursitis, and other injuries are becoming more
and more common among young kids. Bitingly
called Nintendonitis or Nintendo thumb by a
lot of parents, the constant use of video games
is the cause of many repetitive strain injuries,
of which carpal tunnel syndrome is included.
Not only is the problem because of the home
video game systems and computer video games,
but portable video games and game boy-like
systems have only worsened the problem.
Doctors say that hours of sitting in the same
exact position using the thumb and finger muscles
over and over again is what causes the pain
and other functional problems. Like in any
activity, some exercise is good, but if you
continually use the same muscle or groups of
muscles without exercising their counterpart
in order to maintain balance, then the end
results are going to be injury and pain. While
most likely a six or seven year old child will
not get carpal tunnel syndrome no matter how
much he/she plays, they will have other injuries
that can make them more susceptible to carpal
tunnel in the future. Playing video games for
long periods of time can be okay, as long as
they take breaks, avoid positioning their hands
and wrists awkwardly, and don't play for more
than several hours at any one time.
The rise of computer use and flat, light-touch
keyboards that permit high speed typing have
resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the
hands, arms, and shoulders. The use of pointing
devices like mice and trackballs are as much
a cause in the development of carpal tunnel
syndrome, if not more. The constant uninterrupted
use of video game controls does the exact same
thing. Whether or not an injury starts out
as carpal tunnel syndrome, any time video gaming
is involved a lack of adequate rest and breaks
is pretty much a promise of trouble.
While studies suggest there is not a large
difference between the number of people who
get carpal tunnel who play video games and
those who do not, there is no question that
the prolonged playing of video games does lead
to an increase in hand injuries. While a lot
of evidence suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome
tends to affect people who are older, each
individual should still take the proper steps
to protect themselves. Long periods of playing
video games without rest are not healthy, for
reasons that go beyond carpal tunnel syndrome.
And regardless of which study says what, why
take the chance?
Contact www.repetitive-strain.com to learn
more about a unique training system shown to
have 90 percent success in reducing symptoms
in as little as 4 weeks.
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