Many Aussie teens are now complaining of recurring neck and shoulder pains. Nearly half the teenagers in Australia suffer from such pains quite frequently, reveals a new survey. The survey conducted over 1593 West Australian 14-year-olds has revealed that one in 20 high school students suffer from prolonged neck and shoulder pain.

According to Professor Leon Straker, the new study also challenges the claims that pain is primarily caused by posture.

“There is a widespread belief that posture is important in the development of neck and shoulder pain,” ABC quoted Straker, as saying.

“Our study shows that posture is only one small part of a bigger picture,” he added.

During the analysis involving participants from Raine study, majority of teenagers reported experiencing back pain and their sitting posture was also assessed.

“Sitting measurements are particularly relevant for a study of adolescents, as [they] spend over a quarter of their waking hours sitting,” he said.

And those who reported neck and shoulder pain said it was exacerbated while sitting.

To study whether sitting postures influenced neck and shoulder pain, the researchers placed reflective markers on key parts of the children’s body and they were then photographed sitting looking straight ahead and looking down.

With the help of computer modelling, the researchers analysed key differences in posture between those who suffered or did not suffer from prolonged neck and shoulder pain.






Keywords: computer modelling, key differences,neck and shoulder pain,prolonged neck,ABC quoted Straker,back pain,Aussie teens