Working extra hours on smartphones before and after work could be storing up mental and physical health problems for the future, physiotherapists are warning.A poll for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) found that two thirds of the 2,000 office workers surveyed said they continued working on a smartphone or other device after their left the office, and spent an average of more than two hours doing so.This was on top of an average of over six hours spent in front of a screen in the office during their regular working day.The CSP is concerned that ‘over working’ can lead to back and neck pain, as well as stress.Some 66% of those surveyed reported suffering from job-related ill health such as headaches and back pain, while less than one in four said that they thought about their posture when looking at screens outside of work.Dr Helena Johnson, chair of the CSP, 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.”If posture problems do arise, taking out a low cost cash plan can wither help towards, or cover the costs of a physiotherapist. The CSP recommends employers implement low cost measures such as encouraging staff to report any concerns about their health at an early stage, and encouraging active travel to work.
Source: Health Insurance Magazine, June 2012
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