Rising screen time triggers myofascial pain in kids: What parents need to know

Myofascial pain in children

is most often termed “trigger point pain.” It is

chronic pain

originating through the formation of sensitive areas in muscles called “trigger points.” Gains in the use of smartphones, tablets, and computers by

children

at school have increased to become a new cause of myofascial pain. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic increased virtual learning and digital entertainment for children, making it one of the biggest contributors to the development of myofascial pain.
While myofascial pain can affect children at any age, it seems most often to occur in children who have sedentary lifestyles or participate in activities that require them to do the same motion repeatedly for long periods of time.

Children who spend hours hunched over devices put tension on neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Again, added to insufficient break times, this can lead to tightness and trigger points-knots that can refer pain elsewhere in the body.

Common features of myofascial pain in children:

1.

Muscle Tightness

and Hardening: Myofascial pain, in children, usually starts in terms of muscle tightness, especially located on the neck, shoulder, and the back.
2. Localized Pain: It often presents on specific areas, usually called trigger points, but at times presents itself outside that localized area.
3. Headaches: Tension type headaches, often in the back of the head or near the temples, are commonplace. They can be caused by muscle tension in the neck or shoulders.

4. Restricted Mobility: Children will be stiff and uncomfortable in some of the muscles. A child may show pain on even simple action like turning his or her head or raising the arms.
5. Liability over trigger points: Pain upon touching the muscle areas referred to as trigger points may sometime be stabbing or piercing.
6. The pain interference with sleep: One suffering from chronic pain might not be able to sleep. A sleep disorder brings about much aggravation and tiredness.
7. Emotional Impact: Chronic pain may affect mood changes, irritability, and sometimes anxiety or stress, which subsequently affects academic performance and mental health.
Parents, in that sense can do a lot of proactive measures to ensure their children do not overuse the screens and avoid the onset of myofascial pain. Screens with regular breaks, proper posture, and a well-set-up ergonomic device will ensure muscles do not get strained. Active physical pursuits, exercises, and encouraging interest among children in hobbies that are not done on screens help protect their offspring from getting myofascial pain.
As the

screen time

is increasing, it is in the interest of parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to find out the increasing risk of myofascial pain with the rise of children and act in advance to protect their musculoskeletal health. The kind of environment is thus designed where there will be an awareness about excessive screen time related to musculoskeletal risk. The children will thus be protected against potential long-term health problems and promoted through education, ergonomic enhancement, preventive health policies, and community-based actions toward healthier, more active lifestyles.
Authored by: Dr Shiji Chalipat Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune.