Do Video Games Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Children?

The explosion of popularity in video gamemade that a correlation does exist, and that kids
systems and computer usage has also led to thewho play a lot of video games will be at increased
problem of carpal tunnel syndrome coming to therisk for carpal tunnel syndrome than those who
forefront of society in general. As carpal tunneldo not, but surprisingly few studies have been
syndrome and other similar injuries continue todone at his point to confirm or deny that. The
increase, and afflict younger and youngermost recent studies seem to have some
individuals, questions arise as to how relevant aunexpected and startling results.
link exists between carpal tunnel syndrome andSeveral recent studies funded by the federal
video games. While the general assumption isgovernment suggest that there actually is no
made that a correlation does exist, and that kidsconnection between carpal tunnel syndrome and
who play a lot of video games will be at increasedoffice work, carpal tunnel syndrome and
risk for carpal tunnel syndrome than those whocomputer use, or carpal tunnel syndrome and
do not, but surprisingly few studies have beenplaying video games. While each of these things
done at his point to confirm or deny that. Themay affect certain individuals negatively, some of
most recent studies seem to have somethe studies that have been done seem to
unexpected and startling results.suggest that individuals who play a lot of video
Several recent studies funded by the federalgames or do a lot of computer work have the
government suggest that there actually is nosame percentage rate of carpal tunnel syndrome
connection between carpal tunnel syndrome andper capita than those who do not. Though, touting
office work, carpal tunnel syndrome andthis study may not be the end all, be all, of an
computer use, or carpal tunnel syndrome andargument, because there are many injuries that
playing video games. While each of these thingsare similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in nature,
may affect certain individuals negatively, most ofand many of these are believed to be a result of
the studies that have actually been done recentlyincreased video game playing. (NOTE: The problem
seem to suggest that individuals who play a lot ofwith many of these studies is that they fail to
video games or do a lot of computer work havedivulge all criteria utilized in the study. For example,
the same percentage rate of carpal tunnelthe Bureau of Labor in the state of Oregon
syndrome per capita than those who do not.released a statement saying that "lost work time"
Though, touting this study may not be the end all,had gone down, but when looking at the same
be all, of an argument, because there are manychart, it showed that the number of those on
injuries that are similar to carpal tunnel syndrome"light duty" restrictions had actually increased. So in
in nature, and many of these are believed to be areality, the problem had not gotten better, instead
result of increased video game playing.new categories were developed to make it look
Though carpel tunnel syndrome is usually anlike things were better and that carpal tunnel and
affliction that affects individuals over the age ofrepetitive strain injuries had reduced. This is often
thirty, though some children have been known tothe case in many government and privately
have it. Injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, andfunded studies. In the case of video games and
other injuries are becoming more and morerepetitive strain injuries: Who did the study? Were
common among young kids. Bitingly calledthey associated with the video game companies?
Nintendonitis or Nintendo thumb by a lot ofThese are all serious issues to be considered
parents, the constant use of video games is thewhen reviewing such literature.)
cause of many repetitive strain injuries, of whichThough carpel tunnel syndrome is usually an
carpal tunnel syndrome is included. Not only is theaffliction that affects individuals over the age of
problem because of the home video gamethirty, though some children have been known to
systems and computer video games, but alsohave it. Injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, and
portable video games and game boy-like systemsother injuries are becoming more and more
have only worsened the problem.common among young kids. Bitingly called
Doctors say that hours of sitting in the sameNintendonitis or Nintendo thumb by a lot of
exact position using the thumb and finger musclesparents, the constant use of video games is the
over and over again is what causes musclecause of many repetitive strain injuries, of which
imbalance, leading to pain and other functionalcarpal tunnel syndrome is included. Not only is the
problems. Like in any activity, some exercise isproblem because of the home video game
good, but if you continually use the same musclesystems and computer video games, but also
or groups of muscles without exercising theirportable video games, blackberries and game
counterpart in order to maintain balance, the endboy-like systems have only worsened the
results are going to be injury and pain. While mostproblem.
likely a six or seven year old child will not getDoctors say that hours of sitting in the same
carpal tunnel syndrome no matter how much heexact position using the thumb and finger muscles
she plays, they will have other injuries that canover and over again is what causes muscle
make them more susceptible to carpal tunnel inimbalance, leading to pain and other functional
the future. Playing video games for long periodsproblems. Like in any activity, some exercise is
of time can be okay, as long as they takegood, but if you continually use the same muscle
breaks, avoid positioning their hands and wristsor groups of muscles without exercising their
awkwardly, and don't play for more than severalcounterpart in order to maintain balance, the end
hours at any one time.results are going to be injury and pain. While most
The rise of computer use and flat, light-touchlikely a six or seven year old child will not get
keyboards that permit high speed typing havecarpal tunnel syndrome no matter how much he
resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the hands,she plays, they will have other injuries that can
arms, and shoulders. The use of pointing devicesmake them more susceptible to carpal tunnel in
like mice and trackballs are as much a cause inthe future. Playing video games for long periods
the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, if notof time can be okay, as long as they take
more. The constant uninterrupted use of videobreaks, avoid positioning their hands and wrists
game controls does the exact same thing.awkwardly, and don't play for more than several
Whether or not an injury starts out as carpalhours at any one time.
tunnel syndrome, any time video gaming isThe rise of computer use and flat, light-touch
involved a lack of adequate rest and breaks iskeyboards that permit high speed typing have
pretty much a promise of trouble.resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the hands,
While studies suggest there is not a largearms, and shoulders. The use of pointing devices
difference between the number of people wholike mice and trackballs are as much a cause in
get carpal tunnel who play video games and thosethe development of carpal tunnel syndrome, if not
who do not, there is no question that themore. The constant uninterrupted use of video
prolonged playing of video games does lead to angame controls does the exact same thing.
increase in hand injuries. While a lot of evidenceWhether or not an injury starts out as carpal
suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome tends totunnel syndrome, any time video gaming is
affect people who are older, each individual shouldinvolved a lack of adequate rest and breaks is
still take the proper steps to protect themselves.pretty much a promise of trouble.
Long periods of playing video games without restWhile studies suggest there is not a large
are not healthy, for reasons that go beyonddifference between the number of people who
carpal tunnel syndrome. And regardless of whichget carpal tunnel who play video games and those
study says what, why take the chance?who do not, there is no question that the
The explosion of popularity in video gameprolonged playing of video games does lead to an
systems and computer usage has also led to theincrease in hand injuries. While a lot of evidence
problem of carpal tunnel syndrome coming to thesuggests that carpal tunnel syndrome tends to
forefront of society in general. As carpal tunnelaffect people who are older, each individual should
syndrome and other similar injuries continue tostill take the proper steps to protect themselves.
increase, and afflict younger and youngerLong periods of playing video games without rest
individuals, questions arise as to how relevant aare not healthy, for reasons that go beyond
link exists between carpal tunnel syndrome andcarpal tunnel syndrome. And regardless of which
video games. While the general assumption isstudy says what, why take the chance?