Santa Monica, CA – The video game industry continues to grow, raking in $22 billion in 2008 alone. As more and more Americans embrace this form of entertainment, debate continues on whether or not video games have a positive or negative impact on our lives. Where certain organizations point out the cognitive benefits of games others show that health problems, including musculoskeletal issues, can arise from too much gaming. As the Corporate Chiropractor for video game development giant Electronic Arts, Dr. Lynn Kerew, D.C., M.P.H. is no noob in treating the physical ailments that can arise from the gamer lifestyle.
“Many of my patients play video games all day for a living,” said Dr. Kerew. “Sitting in the same position focusing on a monitor or television screen all day can wreak havoc on the human body, especially the discs in the lower part of the spine.” Research shows that sitting in one place for long periods of time leaves people prone to a range of muscle and joint problems that can cause back pain, neck pain and headache. “There are several things I recommend to my patients to ensure that they can continue to enjoy gaming while staying out of pain.”
Dr. Kerew’s simple tips for video gamers looking to stay out of pain:
Time Management – Take 10 -15 minute breaks for every hour of play. Get up walk around, bounce on a balance ball or small trampoline if you can!
Spatial Awareness – Gamers need to have their screens at eye level with their feet firmly placed on the floor in a well lit room to ease the strain on the eyes. If feet aren’t touching the floor then use a footstool.
Exercise – If you are spending hours playing video games or letting your kids play frequently you need to factor cardiovascular exercise into the equation. Thinking of gaming as a reward for exercise can make the experience of playing your favorite game even more rewarding.
Remember to Stretch – Stretching is an easy way to keep your muscles and bones in the proper alignment. Do the usual hamstring stretches against the wall or the psoas/quadriceps muscle yoga stretches (The Bow).
Balance Ball or Balance Ball Chair – These are ideal for gamers as they are great for releasing stress on the weight bearing joints and discs of the spine. It is also a great core workout for the abs and back. When used in a chair for gamers, the small adjustments in the body to stay erect actually function as a nice work out strengthening the core muscles. Plus the forced feedback of sitting on the ball while making movements with video game controllers adds a whole new dimension to the hand /eye/body coordination experience.
Dr. Lynn Kerew, D.C., M.P.H. is the founder of Lynn Kerew Chiropractic A.P.C. located in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Lynn Kerew, D.C. , M.P.H. is a graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, CA where she was nominated for Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health (M.P.H.) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Baccalaureate degree (B.S.) in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Kerew is a member of the International Chiropractic Association, the California Chiropractic Association and Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. She is the official chiropractor of www.citymommy.com
.., I am suffering of back pain because of my work, long hours of sitting and just looking on the computer screen, typing… I am about to try chiropractic practice…
hoe it would help me….
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