Check back later this week for great tips for breastfeeding mothers, as well as a review of a wonderful sexual aid for folks with back pain.

Thanks for stopping by!

Andy

Do you have any thoughts or experiences with ‘anatomic bombs’ in your home? Please share them here.

Thanks for stopping by,

Andy

Stop back throughout the week for more posts from Martha Stewart’s Health & Wellness Expo in New York.

Be well,

Andy

Returning to London in 8 weeks to tell them a little about back pain...

This Thursday, I will be doing demonstrations at Martha headquarters in New York, as well as explaining other ways to make your home more back friendly. Wouldn’t that be a cool segment for ‘Martha’?

Enjoy!

-Andy

The marketplace area at Covent Garden

The new iPhone goes on sale next week...

So, this is the second technology review ever on BackWords, and once again for an Apple product. I know this is not a tech site, but as all of my Back Together resources are created on Apple devices, and they place a large emphasis on ergonomics and user friendliness, I didn’t think it was too off topic.

This week, I was finally able to touch an iPhone 4. I should tell you right off that my iPhone 3G NEVER leaves my side, and has been one of the most reliable and rewarding pieces of technology I have ever used- and was going to be a hard act to follow. The iPhone 4 is a tactile masterpiece- it feels more like a piece of jewelry than a phone- very solid and meticulously manufactured. We are off to a good start.

Now the ergonomics of a phone are not usually of a whole lot of concern- they all pretty much handle the same way (particularly ‘smartphones’-which are held in one hand, and operated with the other. In this case the equation changes somewhat, due to the introduction of 2 things: The iPad, and the new iPhone operating system.

I really wanted an iPad- REALLY wanted one. But as I stated in my review, I was perplexed by the absence of a front-facing camera. I understood not putting  a photo or video camera on the back- the size and form factor would make operation awkward at best. A front facing camera would allow video chat and, for my purposes, the recording of video blog entries. Without the front facing camera, the iPad- while extremely cool- did not permit me to leave my notebook computer at home- and since it didn’t do anything that I needed (largely because I still needed to carry my computer and phone anyway) I did not get one. And this is where the ergonomics of the iPhone 4 come in…

The iPhone 4 has a front-facing camera, a significantly upgraded rear-facing photo and video camera, the new operating system which permits true multitasking, and most importantly for my purposes, the ability to sync with a bluetooth capable keyboard. Essentially, there is enough computing power here to allow me to leave my notebook computer home! With the iPhone 4 (and the WordPress application for example- the system which runs this very blog) I am able to do much of the work I do on my computer from a Phone instead. I can pack a lightweight keyboard with me for creating longer documents- a VIOLA- I am in business. And, with the improved email client, and other upgrades, I suspect many others will find it possible to leave their computer at home.

In short:   LESS WEIGHT CARRIED AROUND = LESS BACK & NECK PAIN and LESS LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY!!!!

Now- it is not a perfect solution for not carrying around your notebook. The small screen will likely cause you to have to tilt your head/neck to accommodate its size, and as of yet there are no bluetooth keyboards with an integrated stand to make it a more user friendly package (although I suspect there may be some coming down the pike.) One thing- I understand there will be a way to output movies to a TV, but as of yet there is no way to hook the iPhone 4 up a TV or screen to run its applications- That would allow you to set up an ergonomic workstation at home or at work (or both) and still only need to carry the lightweight device around with you.

These are, in my opinion, a reasonable trade-off for not having to carry around a 6-7 pound computer.

Other than that, there’s not much to say that you don’t already know: The screen is magnificent, the A4 processor is fast, and while I couldn’t check it out- the battery life is supposed to be significantly longer. All good things. There’s still no Flash, and based upon the war-of-words going on between Apple and Adobe, I don’t suspect it’s coming any time soon.

In short, I have not been this excited about a new piece of technology since the original iPhone release. While that one was amazing- this one solves several problems for me, and will make travel to and from work, to the hospital, (or anywhere else for that matter) significantly easier. I suspect that many of you may find the same benefits. See you in line at the Apple store next week!!

Be well!

-Andy

studenttip

To prevent yourself from experiencing back pain when studying for hours & hours & hours….

1) As I said in the video, get up periodically (optimally every 45 minutes or so.)

2) Keep yourself hydrated. Avoid the temptation to use energy drinks, as they will actually leave you dehydrated. Water will help you prevent stiffness, and ultimately if you are drinking enough, it will force you to adhere to (1) above.

3) If you are seated at a computer for studying, make sure your monitor is propped up to eye level (old phone books make a great monitor stand,) and your keyboard is at a height which allows you to have a neutral wrist position (with your wrists flat.) If you are using a laptop, and external keyboard can help you to optimize your position, and they are no longer an expensive proposition.

4) Use a book stand rather than holding onto a heavy textbook which will force you into an anatomically compromised position.

5) If your chair does not have one built in, roll up a small towel or t-shirt to use as a lumbar support. Place it into the small of your back.

These few suggestions may go far in preventing you from having to take finals in pain. I hope they help. If you have any other thoughts or suggestions, please share them with us on the blog.

Best,

-Andy

Photo from in the studio during appearance on Martha Stewart Radio Tuesday.

Check out the site on the screen! Yes, I reviewed and wrote the review on the same day.

Initial Thoughts:

Up front, let me tell you I have been waiting for the iPad for a long time. I am a serious gadget fiend, and the iPad may very well turn out to be the ultimate gadget. I have been an Apple convert for the past 10 years, and with this new paradigm for computing, I suspect Apple will have  a huge hit on their hands.

I spent several hours with a production unit yesterday- and it is indeed a seriously cool device.

Things I like about the iPad:

-It is seriously fast- loading applications, books & movies almost instantly.

-The screen is gorgeous- bright, crisp and with none of the artifacts you commonly find on LCD screens. There were no dead pixels on this example.

-It’s suite of applications have all been optimized to take advantage of this new form factor.

-With it’s iWork suite of applications, it can be used for productivity as well as simply for viewing. The inclusion of Keynote with the package will allow the iPad to be a serious presentation tool.

-The internet experience on this device is the best I’ve ever had (with one caveat- see below)

Things I don’t like about the iPad:

-To get the full 3G/WiFi experience, you need to spend close to 900 dollars.

-No USB or SD slot.

-No Webcam

-No Flash, which is not a big deal to me (in spite of the fact that my main website is ALL flash.) Some people will be more bothered by this than others.

Now why oh why did they not include a webcam? This one inclusion, along with iChat and a simple video trimming application would open up a world of possibilities, particularly for someone like me who uses iChat to speak with family members and maintains a video blog. I cannot imagine it would have cost too much, and it would have allowed me to leave my cumbersome laptop at home.

iPad Ergonomics:

Companies have been trying to get tablet computers to catch on for more than 15 years (I used a prototype made by NCR while I was in medical school.) With the iPad, there is the first likelihood that tablet computing may catch on to a significant, non niche market. This new form factor brings with it a whole host of new ergonomic considerations.

The iPad feels like a piece of jewelry- it is light and beautifully finished- tactilely wonderful. It weighs a hair more than a pound. If you are holding it, you would likely rest it across one forearm and type/gesture with the other. You could also conceivable hold it in your hand, but this would be precarious for something on which you’ve just dropped a significant bit of cash. Holding this way will be tiring after a while, and since it is out in front of you, will likely fatigue your upper back and neck.

At this point you would then put it down on a table or desk. Now, lying flat you would encounter a significant amount of glare off of the glossy screen, and your head would be tilted far forward to see it, and potentially further when it came time to type. In the Apple store, there are lucite displays which hold the screen at about a 30 degree angle. This is helpful, but isn’t really enough to relieve neck strain. A 45 degree stand would allow you to see the screen, prevent some of the strain on your neck, and allow you to type in relative comfort. I have seen stands for the iPad which hold it nearly straight up for viewing videos and movies, but nothing so far with this optimal 45 degree tilt. Apple will introduce (soon I think) a stand and keyboard combination which will optimize the screen and typing positions, but this combination sacrifices some of the portability which might have been the reason you wanted one in the first place.

Conclusion:

These small quibbles aside, I absolutely love this device. My problem will be holding off until a version with a webcam becomes available- MUST….USE…..FISCAL…..RESTRAINT!!!! If I couldn’t hold out- I would definitely wait for the 3G version which has an internal GPS module, to be released later this month. I can only imagine using this while traveling- access to maps and guides to the various sites- it will totally enhance the experience. If you are getting one, I urge you to consider the few ergonomic suggestions I have made.

Be well!

-Andy

Some helpful tips follow the video. Enjoy!

WhyIstillhavepain

Here are some things to pay attention to in your spine lifestyle. Addressing these few things may go a long way towards helping you to find relief. Take a look at these:

1) Make sure your workspace is as ergonomically optimized as possible. Good chair, good organization of work related materials, etc…

2) Get regular sleep. Optimize your sleep environment- supportive mattress, dark room, quiet. Don’t consume caffeine within several hours of your bedtime.

3) Get regular exercise, and exercise properly- maintaining an optimal body composition will help take the strain off of your back. Good form will ensure that you are working the correct muscle groups, and prevent you from harming yourself further.

4) Minimize the weight of the items you carry with your. Dump out the contents of your purse or briefcase and get rid of everything you don’t really need.

5) Make sure your car is as spine friendly as possible; Adjust seating and controls for easy, unstrained reach. Add a lumbar support (a rolled up t-shirt will do.) Set your mirrors so you aren’t cocking your head one way or another.

6) Consume plenty of water daily. This helps to eliminate cellular waste from your system, and allows you to heal and function more efficiently. Take a few minutes, several times a day to do some relaxing, restorative deep breathing exercises.

7) And as always, use a headset while you are on the phone- Cradling your phone between your ear & shoulder is one sure way to wreck your neck!

A good place to start is to pay attention to those areas where you spend the most time. Invite your partner to pay attention as well- sometimes an objective second party set of eyes will notice things you will not.

Be well!

-Andy

Victoria & Albert Museum, Kensington, London

I know it isn’t easy to carry around a pillow with you all the time, but you can likely leave one in the space you work in at home, and one in your workplace. Give it a try- you WILL notice a difference.

Be well!

-Andy

Howard Jones with his copy of Back Together!