Overuse of cell phones is commonplace. They let us text, play games, check email, order things with the touch of a button, and map our way anywhere; these activities are as natural as breathing and hard to moderate. The good news is those in occupational therapy jobs are trained to help prevent and alleviate the pain, structural problems and injuries associated with overuse of smart phones.
Many therapists are encouraged by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to approach smart phone use with tips developed by OTs specializing in hand therapy and ergonomics.
Here’s how occupational therapists keep smart phones an occupational luxury rather than an occupational hazard.
The Top 5 Smart Phone Tips from Occupational Hand Therapy Specialists
- Keep messages short! Abbreviate or use voice recognition when you compose email; learn to take advantage of auto correct and auto save features.
- Use speakerphone mode or a hands-free device whenever possible.
- Switch hands frequently!
- Hold the phone in one hand and type with the other; this helps avoid thumb strain.
- To avoid injury, do not use a smart phone while walking or driving.
The Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Ergonomic Smart Phone Use
Run into a lot of smart phone fanatics in your occupational therapy career? Skip the maladies of Smart Phone Thumb, Cell Phone Elbow, Cell Phone Neck, and/or PDA nails (that’s when nails become rigged and misshapen from all the typing and texting) by recognizing repetitive movements of the shoulders, neck, elbows and thumbs that overuse of these devices create; then make some modifications!
Start by upgrading to a phone with a larger screen if you read for hours at a sitting, and be sure to take frequent breaks by looking 20 feet away (from your phone) so that you can refocus your eyes upon returning to your work. You should also use these breaks to stretch your hands and remember to alternate fingers during single touch activities.
Smart Therapist Career Information!
The consulting team at 50 States Staffing stands behind the AOTA’s tips on using smart phones wisely. We encourage our OTs in therapy jobs to click their Health and Wellness Smart Phone link, print it, and post this information on bulletin boards, where fellow staff and patients can see and benefit from it. It’s a highly useful guide because it breaks down the different smart phone induced symptoms into categories, outlines prevention tips and targeted treatments.
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