Are you ready for the latest smartphone-related health woe? Move over, “text neck,” because now there’s “phone knee” to worry about. It turns out that excessive phone usage can lead to a whole host of physical and mental health issues, including persistent knee pain.

A recent study published by the NIH revealed that spending more than four hours a day staring at your phone greatly increases the likelihood of developing joint and muscle disorders. The study found a clear link between excessive phone usage and knee pain, indicating that our sedentary phone habits may be taking a toll on our bodies.

When we’re constantly hunched over our phones, our body weight shifts, placing added stress on the knees. This sedentary lifestyle can lead to developing osteoarthritis and putting extra strain on the knee’s joints, tendons, and ligaments. Additionally, tilting our heads down to stare at a phone screen can result in unnatural posture and apply pressure to the spine, leading to various musculoskeletal issues.

So, what’s the solution? The researchers suggest cutting down on phone usage and replacing that time with moderate exercise activities. Setting screen time limits and incorporating more movement into your daily routine can help alleviate knee pain associated with excessive phone use.

Remember, it’s essential to take care of your physical well-being in this digital age. By being mindful of how much time you spend on your phone and prioritizing movement throughout the day, you can help prevent “phone knee” and other smartphone-related health issues.