“Screen Slaves” Risk Their Health

Office workers are imperilling their health through excessive use of smartphones, tablets and laptops. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy warns that people have become “screen slaves”, often working while commuting or when they get home.

According to a survey of 2,010 office workers commissioned by the society, nearly two-thirds continued to work outside office hours. The society found that poor posture was common in out-of-office work environments, leading to back and neck pain.

Dr Helena Johnson, chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said, “The results of this survey are a huge concern to physiotherapists, who see the consequences of poor posture and bad working practices each day.

“While doing a bit of extra work at home may seem like a good short-term fix, if it becomes a regular part of your evening routine then it can lead to problems such as back and neck problems, as well as stress-related illness. This is especially the case if you’re using handheld devices and not thinking about your posture.”