Does Your Mobile Phone Destroying Your Spine?

Text neck or cervical pain or neck pain is the term used to describe the neck pain and damage sustained from looking down at your cell phone, tablet, ipad or other wireless devices too frequently for too long. Cellphones and tablets and a host of other modern mobile devices are changing the way we access information and entertainment. The use of these devices influences our posture and body mechanics in ergonomically dysfunctional ways that contribute to neck, upper back, shoulder and arm pain.

Furthermore, poor posture while sitting, standing, walking or in a static position can lead to more than upper body pain and stiffness which could result in transmission of the poor postures to other parts of the spine such as the middle and low back.

Is your neck producing symptoms like this?

• Neck pain
• Muscles spasm
• Shoulder pain and tightness
• Pinched cervical nerve and radiating towards your shoulder

What treatment options do you have?

• Don't bend your neck to look at the screen - this way you can maintain good posture, relieving your back and shoulders form pain and strain of being hunched over. 
• Hold your mobile device at about your eye level - holding the phone closer to eye level helps maintain a healthy posture and puts less strain on the back.
• Practice exercises that strengthen your posture.

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for you to deal with this ergonomically dysfunctional habit. First and foremost, consider taking some ergonomically functional habits of proper neck alignment and posture as stated above as your line on preventive measures. Perhaps you can take up these few activities such as massage therapy, yoga, and physiotherapy.   

If I could suggest to you, the best option would be physiotherapy session which will enable you to get rid of noxious fluids that could have built up in your neck and other degenerative changes that could be going on. At Vision Physiotherapy Centre we have been able to put together highly specialised physical rehabilitation programs that could help you alleviate your pains and dysfunctional posture that are making it hard for you to have productive life.

Don't wait till it's too late!

Prepared by,

Keetha Mohan

Lecturer, Diploma of Physiotherapy

Vision College

Teluk Intan: A Town on an Oxbow Meander River

A hometown is the city or town where one grew up. Teluk Intan is the place where I grew  up and received my first education. Teluk Intan is a famous tourist spot and heritage, and there is a lot of rare uniqueness in this town. A brief introduction here on Teluk Intan; It is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia. It is the largest town in Hilir Perak district and third largest town in the state of Perak with an estimated population around 150 000 residents. In the early days, the town was known as Teluk Mak Intan, after a female Mandailing trader. During the British era, the named was changed to Teluk Anson (Anson Bay), in honour of a British Officer and last Liutenant-Governor of Penang, Major General Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson who drew the plan of the modern township in 1882. In 1982, the name was changed again to Teluk Intan (Diamond Bay) by the Sultan of Perak.  

One of the uniqueness of Teluk Intan is the Leaning Tower. The leaning tower of Teluk Intan was built in 1885 and still standing strong even though it reaches over 100 years. It is actually a water tank for clean water supply and in preparation for drought or fire. Additionally, this tower is equipped with clock as a timer and was instrumental in navigating the ships to this town back in those days. The unique tower with this pagoda-shaped architecture has 3 floors although it looks like 8 floors from outside. it was built by an architect named Leong Choon Choong. The tower began to lean over after the great floods in 1889 and 1885. The other factor that contributed to the inclination were due to the soft soil and was influenced by the load of the water tank in the tower. The main street at the centre of Teluk Intan, Jalan Ah Cheong is named after Leong Choon Choong to commemorate his contribution.

Another unique attraction in Teluk Intan is the Batu Tenggek (Sitting Boulder). This stone is believed to have been placed by British soldiers and its size at that time was as big as a matchbox but after a few years, the small stone grew bigger until it reached a size of boulder. It is because the rock is growing year to year. After a close inspection, it is found that crystals can be seen across the rock surface and the crystals have expanded and made the size of the stone grow bigger and bigger. Batu Tenggek is now part of a war memorial built to celebrate World War 1 and World War 2. The plaque on the memorial carries a line from Laurence Binyon's famous poem, For the Fallen

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

1914 - 1918

The Ruin of Raja Muda's Palace also played an important role in Teluk Intan history once upon a time. This palace was once the official residence of the Raja Muda of Perak and is also one of the heritage of the Sultanates. This palace was built around 1922 and the first Raja Muda who stayed in this palace was Sultan Abdul Aziz al-Mutasim Billah Shah ibni al-Marhum Raja Muda Musa who later on became the 31st Sultan of Perak. The palace was last occupied by the late Raja Muda Ahmad Sifuddin. In 1988, the official residence for DYTM Raja Muda Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah was transferred to Ipoh. After that, this palace that once was the official residence of the Raja Muda Perak was abandoned until today. 

There are much more interesting things to do in Teluk Intan too as it is surrounded by Perak River. If you happened to be in Teluk Intan, go for a river cruise to watch fireflies, white birds along the Perak River or watch sunset with loved ones. There's always a place for you to enjoy and check on. Remember, life is all about having a good time.



Prepared by,

Nisha Many

Course Counsellor
Vision College