There is not yet extensive research on how smartphones affect the body. Yet, many health care practitioners like Seattle based physical therapist and clinic owner Sarah Anderson PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT, could probably write a book on it.

“There is no doubt cell phones use causes poor forward head posture, headaches, shoulder and wrist problems. If you spend too much time on your cell phone and DON’T yet have symptoms, just wait, it’s only a matter of time”, Sarah says confidently.

Jessica B. Schwartz, a physical therapist based in New York and a spokeswoman for the American Physical Therapy Association, during an interview with PubMed states

“When we text friends or browse the internet on our phones, we often use our muscles and joints in ways that strain them… Looking down at our phones, as well as holding them in our hands with our wrists flexed as we scroll or text, require our joints and muscles to do things they did not evolve to do: stay in the same position for too long, hold too much weight and move repeatedly across a short range of motion.

Concerned if smartphone use may be affecting you? Consult a knowledgable physical therapist.

*Check out some current research in PubMed’s research study on De Quervain's tenosynovitis, a well-known dysfunction in your hand.