Are your video games so much fun they actually hurt? No, we don’t mean the kind of virtual pain you experience from getting attacked in Fortnite. Rather, that physical muscle pain that lingers long after you’ve stepped away from your console.
Some video game packaging comes with a ‘Take a 10-15 minute break every hour when gaming!’ warning. This isn’t just a nice idea, but something that should be taken more seriously amongst gamers. When holding your body in the same position for long periods of time, you run the risk of a repetitive stress injury causing painful inflammation, soreness and, in more serious cases, muscle spasms.
What are some of the most common gaming injuries? Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, neck strain, and back aches are common complaints our RMTs treat – all of which can be avoided with a few changes to your gaming routine. Read on for ways you can play more safely:
Take Breaks
This one is a no brainer. Take breaks when engaging in longer periods of play. We get it, when you’re deep in an Overwatch match it’s hard to focus on anything other than controlling points. Start setting a timer to go off after 45 minutes of play as a reminder. The pause button is there for a reason!
Putting consistent pressure on your wrists is like signing yourself up for a carpal tunnel injury that you’ll spend lots of time and money correcting. Get up, move around, get your blood flowing and – most importantly, give your hands a break. Break now, thank us later.
Stretch and Do Hand Exercises
Make your breaks even more worthwhile by mixing in a variety of stretches and hand exercises. You’ll want to keep it gentle – nothing too strenuous – but moving your individual fingers, hands, wrists, and arms, will make sure that no part of you is getting fatigued by performing the same movements over and over again.
Don’t Forget Good Posture
You don’t necessarily have to have an expensive gaming chair to maintain good posture while playing. Instead, simply make an effort not to slouch, sit all the way back in your seat, and keep your feet flat with your knees pointed forward.
You can read more in our blog post about the benefits of good posture but in regards to gamers it has its own share of advantages. By sitting correctly you’ll keep your wrists bent at the right angles and in the right positions, which in turn helps to avoid those classic gaming injuries.
Just a few little changes will go a long way.
Bayview Sheppard RMT is open 7 days a week and located in North York, Toronto. We offer treatments specifically based around relaxing and stress relief, pregnancy and prenatal massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, Thai massage, couples massage, and much more. Email or call us today to book.