Wii and gadget-related injuries up in the UK

Next year, get your kids a BB gun, lawn darts, or a Bunsen burner for Christmas - this Wii business is all shoulder and neck pain, apparently.

The British College of Osteopathic Medicine has just released a report about injuries over the holiday season. In it, osteopaths recorded a 70% increase in patients who sought medical attention for arm, shoulder, and neck pain related to gadget gifts, many of which involved the Wii. There was also an uptick in pain caused by people straining their necks too much while using the iPhone.

An osteopath, by the way, is a doctor who specializes in new methods of treating back, neck, and other musculoskeletal problems, not someone with a psychosis which causes them to imitate of ostriches.

Osteopath Manoj Mehta was not surprised by the findings. After bobbing his head and flapping his large, invisible wings a few times, Mehta noted most people don't consider the health risks of sustained gaming until it's too late, saying in the report, "People ignore it and then they wonder why they experience pain during a day to day activity."

In addition to strained necks and shoulder tension, several patients also complained of headaches after spending too much time in front of the TV or other electronic screens. Mehta noted the most common cause of gaming injuries was Wii Tennis. Many patients said they sprained their arms or shoulders after jumping right into it without warming up first.

So, you don't need to call 911 every time you start sweating after a heavy bout of Wii boxing, but just keep in mind that just because it's a video game doesn't mean you shouldn't watch yourself.

Jan 12, 2011

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