Migraines, Headaches, Shoulder Pain and Rib Pain

Due to Excessive Computer, Mouse Use

If you find yourself suffering from headaches, migraines, shoulder pain or rib pain it may be related to computer use. Often blaming eye strain for the cause of a migraine or headache symptoms for people who are at a computer screen most of the day. Computer screen migraines and headaches are a real thing. The eye strain from looking at a computer screen is not the only cause of migraines and headaches. It may not even be the most common cause of migraines or headaches due to excessive computer use.

The body functions best under balance.

This balance can be altered when your muscles are over or under utilized. One of the most common causes of musculoskeletal imbalance is an abnormal spinal structure. Many people think the muscle cause these imbalances but typically the shape of the spine is causing problems with the muscles. These imbalances can also be a combination of muscular imbalance and spinal misalignment, not just one or the other. This is why a multifaceted approach, including chiropractic, specific exercises and spinal remodeling traction, to correct musculoskeletal imbalances is often necessary.

For people who experience chronic migraines, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, or rib pain, the cause is often due to repetitive movements or postures. One of the most common repetitive movements and postures is found while working at a computer. Sitting for extended periods of time is considered to be a negative influence on your health for a number of reasons. Add to that the one-sided posture and use of computer work.

Most people use their dominant hand to control their computer’s mouse. When they do that for most of the day at work you can develop abnormal postures and muscular imbalances. Spinal and muscular unevenness will put excessive stress and strain on your ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The most common pattern of this is seen in the muscles that attach to the scapula and neck. When you use your mouse you typically move your arm and shoulder forward, protracting your scapula forward. In this motion, the muscles (xxx) that attach to the top of the scapula and the side of your neck are stretched.

When left in this position for extended periods it can cause muscle tension and abnormal spinal alignment due to chronically stretched ligaments. These imbalances can result in significant headaches, migraines, neck pain, shoulder pain, rib pain, etc.

Now what?

If this is what’s causing your symptoms you may be able to do something about it. Here are some easy tips on how to help your neck pain, headaches, migraines, shoulder pain or rib pain.

• Sit with scapula retracted so that your hand, arm or shoulder are not moved forward.

  • Pay close attention to your dominant hand. That is the side that is most commonly protracted forward.

• Stand or sit with the screen, keyboard, and mouse directly in front of you.

• Keep your keyboard and mouse close to your body.

• Don’t turn your torso towards your mouse.

• Do scapula retraction exercises on the side that is protracted.

• Avoid resting one side on the table or chair arm.

Don’t ignore the fact that this is one of literally millions of different possible musculoskeletal imbalances in the spine, scapula, shoulder, and neck. The only way to be sure what the problem is is to have a structurally focuses corrective chiropractor examine you. He or she will be able to determine postural and muscular imbalances and put together a treatment plan with adjustments, spinal remodeling traction and physical therapy exercises to correct the issue.