Gift for cell phone overusers - "Cell phone elbow"

We all have heard about 'tennis elbow' but now scientist have found another thing, known as "cell phone elbow." Surprised? Well, Cell Phone Elbow or Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) results from constantly holding a cell phone to the ear which can cause severe nerve damage. This is the price most people will have to pay to 'get connected all the time'.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome or Cell Phone Elbow is one of the most common motion disorder which hits more than 85o,000 people every year. Physicians are saying that they are seeing more patients with CTS every day.

Priya, 16 year old girl, used to speak on her cell phone several hours each day, but recently she was having trouble holding her cell phone to her ear. Every time she held cell phone to her ear for more then three minutes she has shooting pain in her elbow and numbing of fingers. According to doctors, bending the elbow for extended periods puts pressure on the ulnar nerve and the only option was to move the nerve and release pressure through surgery. To undergo surgery was kind of a shock to Priya.

People suffering from cell phone elbows are the ones who use their mobile phones for extended period, making phone calls more than 4 hours a day. While talking on the cell phone they bend their arms so the nerves on the arm overstretch. The symptoms could be numbness, tingling in the small and ring finger and pain in the elbow. In more serious cases, the hand loses its strength.

The other possible treatments for cell phone elbow includes applying anti-inflammatory medicines, putting hand in a splint to prevent sudden movement at night.

Few Tips:

While talking on cell phone, change your hands often.

The best treatment for cell phone elbow is 'Rest'.

Use a headset.

Use Elbow pads to ease pressure.

The new generation today can't keep themselves off from texting messages from saying simple 'helo' to long messages sharing their emotions and thoughts.

Many parents are having sleepless nights due to another type of injury called "blackberry thumb." It is a repetitive stress injury from typing on those tiny keyboards resulting in inflammation, swelling and general weakness of the thumb.

Good news is that Blackberry thumb is not as serious as cell phone elbow as it can be treated with physical therapy. Secondly, the users should stretch their hands and take breaks to avert the harms.