Benenden Hospital has been featured on ITV’s Lorraine Kelly show as part of a campaign to get mobile phone users to “look up”.
TV doctor Dr Hilary Jones interviewed Lead Physiotherapist Bridie O’Loughlin about a syndrome called “tech neck”, repetitive stress caused by constantly looking down at smartphones.
The digital detox campaign comes after statistics revealed that people look at their mobile devices every 12 minutes.
It is estimated that 78% of people now own a smartphone compared with just 17% in 2008 – with 95% among 16-24-year-olds.
Figures also show that people spend about two-and-a-half hours a day on their phones with many looking at them within just five minutes of waking up.
Dr Hilary Jones said: “Technology is evolving so fast that in many ways it is outstripping the body’s ability to keep up with it.
“The human head weighs around 10-12lbs. However, when the neck bends forward the weight on the cervical spine can be as much as 60lbs.
“That’s the equivalent of a sack of potatoes, 57 pints of milk, 18 medium chickens or 126 avocados.”
Bridie told Dr Hilary Jones: “Quite often we see aching around the neck and shoulders. People can start getting headaches, feeling a lot of tension and being unable to relax.”
Dr Hilary Jones was filmed in one of the hospital’s three operating theatres, the award-winning Main Atrium and the Physiotherapy Suite. It was featured as part of the ITV Lorraine show on weekdays from 9am.
He previously officially opened the new hospital building following a multi-million pound re-development, and also switched on the hospital’s Christmas lights.
Benenden Hospital provides physiotherapy for sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, extensive orthopaedic rehabilitation, joint pain, overuse injuries, rheumatic problems and respiratory problems such as bronchitis.
It also offers one-to-one Pilates sessions, acupuncture, electrotherapy, manual therapy, sports massage and breathing exercises. Find out more about our Physiotherapy service and book an appointment by completing our online form or by calling our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158.
Published on 09 January 2020