By Avery Fowler
I remember when I got my first mobile device. I was about eight years old, and Santa Claus brought me an iPod Touch. It was the best thing ever! I could download my music and play Clash of Clans. Fast forward to 2024, and mobile devices rule our society. Everyone is digitally interconnected like never before, and the TikTok/Instagram Reels combo commands constant attention (sometimes to the detriment of my own productivity). Besides wasting time, scrolling on our favorite apps can also lead to physical conditions, such as neck pain or tennis elbow. Thankfully I work for a chiropractor!
What is Infinite Scrolling?
Infinite scrolling is a common mobile technology that websites and social media outlets use to help users navigate information without having to reload or press buttons. Content is continually loaded as the user scrolls through a page. Examples of websites include TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook.
Why is it bad for you?
A number of conditions in the hand and arm have been linked to increased phone usage such as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow, now also being called “iPhone elbow”), thumb strains, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis. These are all overuse or repetitive stress injuries caused by excessive scrolling, clicking, and holding a cell phone.
Changes you can make:
Take your main offender apps off of your phone, even if it’s just during scheduled amounts of time, days of the week, or permanently
Set boundaries with your employer about when you are able to communicate outside of work
Turn off app notifications
Plug your phone in across the room or in another room at night. This way you are not scrolling before bed or when you wake up in the morning. It will also help you get out of bed!
Leave your phone tucked away the whole time you are out to eat or hanging out with friends
Switch up your hands. Hold your phone with the opposite hand and use your finger instead of your thumb
How do I treat the damage I’ve already done?
At home:
Ice! You can help control the inflammation with ice
Wrist roller: Mini foam rollers are helpful, check out www.ristroller.com
Stretching: Stretch your arm out in front of you, pull fingers towards yourself. Turn wrist down, pull your fingers down and towards yourself
At your Sports Chiro’s office:
Manipulation of joints of the wrist decreases compression and improves mobility resulting is less pain and better function
Using manual therapy like the Graston Technique can help break up scar tissue, reducing pain and improving the health of the wrist and forearm
Kinesiology tape like RockTape can decrease inflammation and provide support during activity, sports and work
Deep tissue massage therapy helps mobilize inflammation and retrain supportive muscles, also decreasing pain
Call/text our office at 303-744-7100 or email frontdesk@washparkchiro.com if you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment!
Washington Park Chiropractic is the only practice in Denver, Colorado specializing in Sports Chiropractic, Prenatal Chiropractic and Pediatric Chiropractic. Our Wash Park Doctors are expert certified and trained in Sports, Pediatrics and Prenatal Care including massage, acupuncture, Webster Technique, Graston Technique, Laser, K-Laser, Kinesiology Tape, RockTape and Normatec.
Avery Fowler is the Community Liaison at Washington Park Chiropractic. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up near Brussels, Belgium. Avery will be a senior at the University of Denver this fall.
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