bedridden playing phone causes paraplegia protecting your neck is crucial

Recently, a news report about 'paralysis caused by playing with a phone in bed' has caught everyone's attention.

According to the report, Mr. Wang likes to play with his phone in bed every night, often until two or three in the morning. The prolonged neck bending led to various diseases, eventually causing high-level paralysis, rendering him immobile and numb from the neck down.

After a hospital diagnosis, it was found that he had severe spinal cervical spondylosis.

The dangers of playing with a phone in bed

Nowadays, smartphones, tablets, and other devices have become essential in our lives. Some even say that phones have become an organ of our body, always by our side. However, playing with a phone in bed for long periods at night can easily cause eye fatigue, leading to vision deterioration over time, severely affecting our eyesight.

Additionally, playing with a phone before sleep makes it difficult to fall asleep, significantly impacting both the duration and quality of sleep over time.

Moreover, when lying in bed and playing with a phone, the neck tends to tilt unconsciously to the left or right, making it hard to maintain a correct posture. Over time, this can cause neck muscle tension, muscle strain, cervical spondylosis, and even nerve compression, leading to limb numbness.

The neck is often referred to as the body's second brain, connecting our shoulders and head. Discomfort or pain in these areas is often closely related to the neck. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, neck health affects the smooth flow of meridians and blood throughout the body. The neck contains many neurons, which are crucial for our balance and perception.

Therefore, it's important to protect and cherish your neck. Besides avoiding prolonged phone use in bed, you should also engage in activities to relax and move around.

Here are six exercises to help relieve neck fatigue.

1. Neck relaxation exercise

Sit cross-legged on the floor or on a chair. Place your right arm beside your right knee and your left hand on your head. Slowly tilt your head to the left. Apply gentle pressure with your hand to increase the stretch. You should feel your neck stretching. Hold your right knee or the chair's armrest to stabilize your body. Hold for 30 seconds on this side, then slowly lift your head and repeat on the other side.

2. Seated neck stretch

Sit comfortably on the floor or a chair. Place both hands on the back of your head. Keep your hips firmly on the ground or seat. Gently press and pull your hands, bending your neck and bringing your chin towards your chest. Then lift your chin and look up at the ceiling. Hold each position for at least 15 seconds.

3. Standing side neck stretch

This standing stretch can be done anywhere. Stand with your feet apart, hips relaxed, and arms at your sides. Hold your left wrist with your right hand behind your back. Slowly bring your right ear towards your shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.

4. 'Falling to the ground' exercise

This exercise helps relax and stretch your neck and shoulders, and can also relieve headaches and drowsiness. Kneel on the floor in a child's pose, take a few deep breaths, and relax. Lengthen your spine. When ready, clasp your hands behind your back and make a fist. If possible, press your palms together for a better shoulder stretch.

Then inhale and shift your weight forward, lifting your hips off your heels. Try to bring your hands as close to the floor as possible. Hold for 10 seconds, then return your hips to your heels. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat the exercise.

5. Kneeling backbend

Use this relaxing pose to open up your neck, chest, and shoulders. Start by kneeling on your heels. Lean back and place your palms flat on the floor 20-30 cm behind you. Press firmly into the ground, lift your chest, and tilt your head back, stretching fully. Hold this position for 20 seconds.

6. Bridge pose

This is a classic yoga pose. Lie flat on your back with your arms at your sides. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Bring your heels as close to your buttocks as possible, keeping your feet hip-width apart and parallel. Lift your hips off the floor and try to stretch your arms. Hold for 30 seconds.

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