My interest in stress started when I was teaching undergraduate dental students. Observing their contorted positions when treating patients, I thought this is not the appropriate way to start their clinical career. When in Practice they could be maintaining these awkward postures for several hours per day. This commonly results in muscle and joint problems but trapped nerves and headaches are also possible outcomes. Many older dentists suffer from backache, neckache and shoulder problems to prove this point. Former students have contacted me to inform me that the best tip I ever gave them was to roll their head in order to release neck muscles when taking an impression. The “message” is do not maintain an uncomfortable position for any length of time-alter position, stretch and release, stand up and walk around if possible. Most dental teams would benefit from a course on assisted operating techniques and the bonus is that there is a team building aspect included. This article was prompted by the latest information on the physical problems being caused by laptop computers. People sitting on a chair twisting round to view a laptop balanced on the edge of the chair or similar contorted positions. Dr Karen Jacobs has produced an app to remind users to take a break from the screen every fifteen minutes. The author Lionel Shriver ( We Need to Talk about Kevin ) now stands up to type and is feeling the benefit having been sedentary since the 1980s. An eleven year old has evidently been treated for chronic neck pain as a result of doing his homework on a laptop while watching the television. There is no doubt that prolonged physical pain and discomfort can cause mental stress and so the take home message is deal with physical ailments promptly to prevent them becoming chronic.
Go out for a walk as it is marvellous exercise and costs nothing!
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