Gaming is a hugely popular pastime, with thousands of people spending their days glued to their computer screens. If you’re not careful, you can put your body under strain and cause serious injuries. Maintaining proper posture and taking regular breaks is the best way to avoid these. For more information, see below as we discuss five common injuries for the avid gamer.
Eye Strain
We all know it can be hard to peel your eyes away from your favorite game, whether that be Call of Duty or casting bets in at Ruby Fortune. However, after focusing on the screen for long periods, the muscles in the eyes become overworked. When you’re gaming, your eyes are constantly adjusting with rapid movements, which strains the muscles. Symptoms of eye strain include blurry vision, double vision, headaches, and eye pain.
To avoid getting eye strain, you should take regular breaks and complete the gamer warm-up before any long spells.
Gamer’s Thumb
This condition is caused by repetitive movements of the thumb, and the medical name for it is tenosynovitis. Typically, PC gamers are safe from this condition as it is associated with thumbstick movements amongst console users. To this problem, you should take regular breaks and warm up before your session. You can also carry out proper stretches after a long gaming session.
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Carpel tunnel syndrome is caused by irritating the median nerve, which is located in the carpal tunnel. This issue is typically caused by stretching, inflammation, and unnecessary pressure from overuse. To avoid these issues, you should ensure that your wrists are parallel to your keyboard and mouse – you can use a cushion to elevate the area. If it’s already too late, you can typically treat the condition at home through heat therapy and taking breaks from gaming.
Neck Pain
Avid gamers are susceptible to neck injuries, which are often caused by stress, poor posture, and muscular imbalances. Sitting at a computer chair for hours and leaning forward will lead to neck pains. Whether you’ve got a quality gaming chair or not, you can grab yourself strap-on neck supports. These will add that extra layer of comfort for your long gaming days.
Lower Back Pain
This is another issue that comes down to poor posture. Gamers spend hours sitting in the same position and, without the proper support for their back, serious injuries can happen. The signs of back pain are obvious and include sharp pains, burning sensations, throbbing, and dull aches. The best way to avoid such pain is to invest in a suitable computer chair with lumbar support. Taking regular breaks to stretch your legs will also help.
Gaming is a fun pastime, and many people spend all day glued to their chairs and screens. However, the small rapid movements put unnecessary strain on the body. When this happens, you will be faced with aches and pains in the affected area. For the most part, avoiding these injuries comes down to taking regular breaks, investing in a proper computer chair, and carrying out exercises.
Featured Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
