This Essential Vitality video features Paula Saunders offering practical tips to reduce strain from laptop use. She points out that using a laptop on the lap places the screen below eye level, which can strain the neck, upper back and shoulders. Occasional short use is unlikely to cause harm, but repeated or prolonged laptop work requires a different setup.

Her main advice is to raise the laptop so the top of the screen is at eye level. Boxes or books can be a simple temporary solution and a laptop stand is a portable alternative. Both approaches require a separate keyboard and mouse to avoid reaching up to the built-in keyboard and stressing the wrists, arms and shoulders.

For a regular workspace, the preferred arrangement is an external monitor with a separate keyboard and mouse, plus an adjustable chair and monitor height. The same posture principles apply when using a laptop standing up. The video also suggests carrying laptop equipment in a wheeled case or a backpack, or wearing a single-strap bag across the body to spread weight more evenly.

This Humantech Ergonomics video features certified professional ergonomist Blake McGowan explaining musculoskeletal issues linked to smartphone use. He describes how prolonged smartphone use can contribute to pain in the neck, shoulders and the base of the thumbs.

Two main problems are highlighted. Looking down at a phone creates sustained neck flexion, and users may raise their shoulders to compensate, increasing shoulder strain. Typing with the thumbs often uses extreme thumb postures near the end of their range of motion.

Recommended controls include limiting continuous smartphone use, using voice input when appropriate, and switching to a desktop or laptop for longer data entry tasks.