Let me preface by saying that I am not an Apple fanboy nor a Windows fanatic. I am though a consumer who likes his gadgets and gizmos. So, naturally I pre-ordered my ipad the very first day it was available. And to give you a “non-professionals” review of the iPad, IT’S AWESOME! So why am I writing about how the iPad will ruin your health? Simply put, people will begin using the iPad so much it will cause neck strain by looking down and overuse of cervical muscles. No really… Keep reading you’ll see…

As a physician who deals with repetitive stress injuries on a daily basis, I know about things and activities that will lead to injury. Something as addictive as the iPad will definitely keep you looking down long enough to stress the posterior (back-side) neck muscles. A normal computer screen, as I’m sure you already know, causes enough strain on the neck that at the end of the day you feel stiffness and tension. With the iPad, you are forced to look down toward your lap or hands, causing your neck to bend forward and pull on the muscles. Muscles don’t like to be pulled on for long periods of time, so they fight back and go into spasms.

Now currently there are not that many people using ipads, outside of the geeky nerds like me. But that is going to change. I just look at how the iPhone began to explode and has overtaken the cell phone industry. And that industry already had some good phones by good companies. The ipad is in a niche industry all by itself with no other real competition any time soon.

So, what can you do to prevent “iPad Neck” (remember you heard that term from me first)? Here are some basic tips:

1. Obviously limiting your time using it would be #1 but that isn’t practical advice. But you can try to stretch your neck in extension (backwards) as to give it a break from bending forwards. Hold it in the extended position for 15-20 seconds. Repeat every 15 minutes of use.

2. Use a stand or something to prop it up. Every degree you flex your head leads to increased load on your neck. Just think of a bowling ball. The farther away from you, the more it weighs.

3. And finally, lend it to friends. The less time you have access to it, the less likely you’ll get overuse strain.

You might think I’m trying to be funny with this post (far from funny you say?) but it really is something that can effect you or someone you know. Everyone laughed at “cell phone neck” or “wii-itis” but those also have been known to cause people some serious pain. Just monitor your gadget and gizmo use and if you have anything you want checked-out, just give me a call.

Disclaimer: I do not currently own any stock in Apple Inc. but I wish I did.