Put down your smartphone, tablet: It’s a higher source of injury than you realise

Here’s a good reason to put your electronic devices down whenever you can: Experts say that using them incorrectly or too often can put you at risk for a range of injuries.

“When people position their hand, arm or neck in uncomfortable positions for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to strains and overuse injuries,” said Dr. Michael Darowish, an orthopedic surgeon at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Overuse, nerve and neck injuries are the three common types of problems, he said.

Nearly all types of overuse injuries such as “swiper’s thumb” and “iPad hand” are a type of tendonitis.