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April 26, 2005

 
Beware of "Blackberry Thumb"

The American Society of Hand Therapists has issued a warning about overuse syndromes caused by popular electronic devices like PDAs and Blackberries.

"Handheld electronics may require prolonged grips, repetitive motion on small buttons and awkward wrist movements. This combination can lead to hand, wrist and arm ailments such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tendonitis," said ASHT President Donna Breger Stanton, MA, OTR/L, CHT, FAOTA. "Many handheld electronics users spend hours on their BlackBerries and iPods every day, responding to e-mails and spooling through music lists and address books. These devices are immensely popular and they are getting smaller with even more features, which encourage heavy, extended use. More of the population could suffer hand ailments unless they learn to take preventive measures."

Click here to read the entire bulletin (in Adobe PDF format).
posted by Kent 5:42 PM | |

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