September 10, 2004

By: Wendy Whittaker
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Is holding a cellular phone a real pain in the neck?

The pinch in the back of your neck or shoulder might be related to how you hold your cell phone. Holding a cellular phone, or cradling a cell phone, just like other oft-repeated activities, can lead to muscle stress and pain. If you don't want your hands tied up by holding a cellular phone, try a hands-free option.

By answering a the questions below, you may be able to determine if that pain in your neck is cellular phone holding related.

1. Do you always use the same hand to hold your cell phone?

2. Instead of using your hands, do you cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder?

3. Do you typically talk for more than 10 minutes at a time on your cell phone?

4. When you’re trying to hear a phone conversation in the middle of a noisy room, do you hunch your neck and shoulders forward and look down?

If your answer was yes to any of the above questions, you are sure to suffer from some sort of cell phone holding neck pain.

In order to help reduce the risk of pain Healthy Computing offers some practical tips on cellular phone holding. First, move the phone from your right hand to your left hand after each call, or every ten minutes during long conversations. An ear bud is helpful, but even then, switch sides often since you may tend to incline your head towards the ear that you are using. Never hold the phone between your ear and shoulder, if you do, stop immediately and purchase a hands-free headset.

Cell phones are designed more ergonimically today, to fit the hand better, and keypads are becoming easier to use. Design improvements and more conscientious use can lessen the likelihood of neck pain, but keep in mind that whenever you are holding a cell phone and trying to do something else with your hands, you're setting yourself for pain. Driving while holding a cell phone has been linked to the cause of many traffic accidents and in response, many states are passing laws that prohibit drivers from using hand-held phones. Experts are unsure, however, whether holding the phone or talking on the phone causes the most distraction.

Also See: absolutely free cell phones.

About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.