[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The entire country has entered below freezing temperatures, with cold wave warnings issued, marking the beginning of the full winter season.
During the cold winter months, outdoor activities decrease and limited indoor activities naturally reduce physical activity levels. At this time, one must be cautious of VDT (Visual Display Terminal Syndrome).
VDT syndrome refers to various physical symptoms such as shoulder or neck pain and eye fatigue caused by prolonged use of electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and mobile devices. Representative conditions include myalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
It is a very common symptom that most people experience at least once in their lifetime, often described as having a "stiff neck." It mainly occurs due to excessive muscle use, repeated incorrect posture or movements, muscle trauma, or musculoskeletal disorders.
Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that induces muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction, increases secretion due to various causes, causing muscles to contract or continuously compress surrounding blood vessels.
At this time, muscles do not receive adequate oxygen or nutrients, resulting in pain or movement restrictions in the muscles or the fascia, a transparent and thin membrane surrounding the muscles.
The most common symptoms include a heavy or aching sensation in the muscle area, and pressing the affected area may cause pain or numbness.
If the muscles around the neck are affected, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, and pain around the eyes may accompany the symptoms. If the shoulder muscles are affected, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands may be felt.
If the muscles in the buttocks or lower back are affected, numbness in the buttocks or legs may be experienced.
Dr. Lee Ji-min, head of the Joint Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “As electronic devices have become indispensable in our daily lives, various related diseases are emerging. Although caution is always necessary when using these devices, usage increases sharply during the cold winter months, so it is even more important to maintain correct posture.”
If you feel muscle stiffness, you should relax the affected muscles by stretching or gently pressing for about 10 seconds to relieve the stiffness.
If pain persists despite sufficient rest and stretching, you should visit an orthopedic specialist for active treatment. Depending on the medical professional’s judgment, treatments such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory painkillers, or physical therapy may be administered.
The fundamental treatment involves correcting incorrect posture or muscle usage. Electronic devices should be used with breaks of 10 minutes every 50 minutes.
Also, avoid bending your head too much, keep your gaze forward, and maintain a distance of at least 40 cm from the screen to use devices with proper posture.
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