What do a neck and a nutcracker have in common?

Hands-free phone use isn’t only for driving. In the office and at home many of us do other things while we’re on the phone: computer work, household chores and more. When we multitask while on the phone without a headset, we often “clamp” the phone in place by assuming a position that makes the neck look like it’s trying to crack nuts – the shoulder is raised and the neck is bent to the side. This can eventually lead to significant pain in the neck and upper shoulder.
If you see yourself in this description, strongly consider getting a headset for any phone you use while doing other tasks. And, if you use the phone for long periods of time even without multitasking, you may still benefit from a headset to reduce the stresses associated with holding the phone to your ear. When you hold the phone, you must raise your arm from the shoulder and bend your elbow at an acute angle. With time, this can put tension on sensitive structures like blood vessels and nerves, as well as straining joint and muscle tissue. If your hand has fallen asleep during a long phone call, you’ve experienced nerve tension.
There are many kinds of headsets and the choice is yours. Here are some things to keep in mind:
• A cordless house or office phone often works well with the kind of headset with a wire that plugs into a jack on the telephone handset. Many cordless phones are now packaged with multiple handsets and a headset. These headsets are subject to wear and tear, and may need to be replaced when the sound quality diminishes. Think of it as important as replacing worn out shoes.
• A landline whose handset attaches to the telephone base by a curly wire should be able to use a wireless headset. If you want to be able to answer the phone from another room while you’re wearing the wireless headset, get a handset lifter, an accessory that takes the phone “off the hook” at the touch of a button on your headset. Wireless headsets may need tiny batteries replaced after a year or longer.
Check out Plantronics, GN Netcom and other wireless headset manufacturers to see what model will work with your phone. You can purchase your headset from an office supplies store, a headset company or an ergonomic products vendor.
Use a headset for your home or office phone and trade in your “nutcracker neck” for a happier you!
Nancy M. Lowe is a certified ergonomist, registered physical therapist and certified hand therapist. She has prevented and treated pain and injuries in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 20 years. Contact her at [email protected].