Gaming and gaming health & safety

Esports professionals and gaming enthusiasts often spend hours navigating complex games with increasingly challenging levels. This gradually takes a toll on the body, leading to a number of common gaming injuries. Console gamers frequently experience hand injuries, while PC gamers usually develop wrist problems. All avid gamers typically experience some form of back pain. Common Types of Injuries Gamer Hand Pain Gamer's thumb (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) is an overuse injury that develops when tendons in the thumb and wrist become inflamed. It’s caused by repetitive thumb strain [1]. The symptoms include: pain in the hand, thumb, and wrist that worsens with movement; a popping sensation when the thumb is moved; and swelling in the lower region of the thumb. Ulnar nerve irritation...

When you’re in the middle of a gaming marathon, you’re probably sitting slouched in front of a TV or computer. You may even subconsciously tilt your head forward to get a closer view of the screen. This can compress nerves in your neck [1]. If this poor posture persists, it can make gaming a real headache. [3]. In other words, this posture can lead to tension headaches, neck pain, fatigue, poor concentration, and muscle tension [2]. Other gaming habits that may contribute to headaches include eye strain, a lack of sleep, stress, a poor diet, and fatigue.  How Poor Posture Hurts  When your head is straight, the levator scapulae and trapezius muscles in the back easily support the weight of your head and neck. Alternately, when your head is tilted toward a TV or computer screen...

How to Treat Mouse Elbow Mouse Elbow… it’s a Thing So what exactly is mouse elbow? Also known as lateral epicondylitis, it refers to inflammation in the extensor tendons of your forearm. It may also include inflammation in the extensor muscles that allow your hand to open and your wrist to bend [1, 2]. People who constantly use a computer mouse, like avid gamers or eSports professionals, are more susceptible to this type of injury.  The Anatomy of a Mouse... Elbow To get a better understanding of how this condition develops, it’s important to learn about the anatomical structure of the forearm, hand and wrist. The tendons affected by mouse elbow are collectively known as the common extensor tendon. It consists of four muscles and tendons that join in one area called the lateral...