Education Corner

Is “Computer Shoulder” Real?! - Upper Crossed Syndrome Lately, the term “computer shoulder” frequently appears in TV ads, but does this condition really exist? For those working long hours from 9 to 5 plus overtime, long periods of computer use combined with poor posture often lead to neck and shoulder pain and muscle tension. Studies find that about 60% of computer users experience shoulder or neck discomfort. However, medically speaking, there is no such condition as “computer shoulder.” What advertisements refer to is most likely Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS). When sitting in front of a computer monitor for long hours, it is natural to extend your neck, hunch your back, and even raise your shoulders. Typical signs include:This poor posture not only makes you appear less confident but causes severe muscle pain in the shoulders and neck, making simple actions like looking up or raising your hands uncomfortable. Over time, it may even accelerate cervical spine degeneration.   How to Prevent Neck and Shoulder Discomfort?Try these tips to reduce computer-related shoulder and neck discomfort and help overcome Upper Crossed Syndrome: TIPS 1: Start with Improving Your PostureAccording to Harvard University, posture improvement is crucial. Make an effort to strengthen the weaker muscles mentioned earlier: Pull your chin back – activate deep neck muscles Keep your chest out and spine straight – engage lower back muscles Remember to keep shoulders relaxed. Rest your arms on the desk or chair armrests to reduce shoulder strain. Maintaining this good posture consistently can make shoulder or neck pain much less likely! TIPS 2: Adapt Your Environment Harvard also warns that improper monitor height, causing the neck to jut forward, can cause muscle strain or even damage to cervical vertebrae, nerves, and intervertebral discs. Check your monitor position—its top should be level with your eyes. Support your lumbar spine using cushions or chairs with lumbar support to prevent slouching and help maintain chest posture, improving UCS symptoms. TIPS 3: Take Regular Breaks and MoveEven with good posture and an optimized workspace, prolonged computer use strains your shoulders and neck. Change position every 15 minutes. Get up, drink water, walk to the restroom to give your shoulders and neck a break. Perform simple exercises to relax your muscles: Shoulder and neck stretches: 10 reps per side, hold each for 10 seconds Chest stretches: open arms wide, hold for 10 seconds Strengthen deep neck muscles Strengthen shoulder blades and back muscles: use water bottles as dumbbells, pull hands backward, hold 5 seconds, 10 reps Follow these three tips, and Upper Crossed Syndrome will become a thing of the past!   Hong Kong Registered PhysiotherapistThe information on this website is for educational purposes only.You should consult your doctor regarding surgical methods and not solely rely on this website’s information.

Whether you are a white-collar worker or a laborer, you’ve probably experienced occasional back or waist pain. In fact, back pain affects people from all walks of life. Maintaining good posture and performing regular stretching exercises can help relieve and prevent discomfort. However, if you experience symptoms such as sciatica or numbness in the legs, it is important to seek medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause. Doctors may recommend physical therapy for those who need it.   Causes of Back Pain Back pain is a common ailment in urban life. Even retirees and homemakers who don’t work long office hours may experience stiffness or discomfort in the lower back. Causes include falls, lifting heavy objects, overwork, poor posture, bone spurs, and age-related degeneration of the spine. Some patients with kidney disease or osteoporosis may also suffer from back pain. Structure of the Lower Back Protecting the spine is crucial because the lower back has a complex structure composed of the sacrum (tailbone), five lumbar vertebrae, and two pelvic bones, all connected by ligaments and muscles. Between each vertebra are intervertebral discs, blood vessels, and spinal nerves. The nerves that branch out from the lumbar spine control movement and sensation in the legs. Therefore, pain or numbness in the legs can sometimes originate from problems in the lower back.   Symptoms of Back Pain Muscle soreness in the lower back or legs, stiffness, and reduced range of motion Sharp pain when coughing or sneezing Sciatica or femoral nerve pain Compression of spinal nerves may cause weakened reflexes, muscle fatigue, or numbness in the legs   Treatment and Care For chronic back pain, apply heat or use medicated pain-relief patches. For acute pain, use ice packs to reduce inflammation. If symptoms such as numbness or persistent pain continue, consult a doctor. The doctor will perform an examination, and possibly X-ray or MRI imaging, to determine the cause. Treatment may include painkillers, topical medications, and physical therapy if needed.   Physical Therapy for Back Pain Depending on the patient’s condition, physical therapists may use: Heat therapy: Applying a heating pad to relax muscles. Interference (electrical) therapy: Uses special electrical waves to block pain signals to the brain, improve circulation, and relax tissues. Traction therapy: Applies controlled weight to relieve nerve compression in the lower back. Ultrasound therapy: Promotes blood flow and relaxes muscles and tendons using sound waves.Typically, acute pain requires 6–8 sessions, while chronic cases need around 10–12. Manual joint adjustment: Helps realign displaced vertebrae. Exercise therapy: Gentle stretches such as: Lying face down and pushing up the upper body with the hands (cobra stretch). Lying on the back with knees bent, gently rocking from side to side.(Repeat each movement ten times.) Acupuncture therapy Posture training   Prevention Tips Wear a lumbar support belt if necessary. Maintain proper posture: The spine naturally forms two S-shaped curves. Poor posture exaggerates or flattens these curves and accelerates degeneration. When standing, keep your chest up, shoulders relaxed, and back straight. When sitting, place both feet flat on the floor, sit upright against the chair back, and avoid crossing your legs. Adjust chair and desk height appropriately. Use a firm, supportive mattress when sleeping, whether lying on your back or side. When lifting heavy objects, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift—use a cart if needed. Maintain a healthy weight. Pregnant women should pay attention to proper posture. Do regular exercises, such as lying flat and alternately pulling each knee to the chest ten times per side, to relax lower back muscles.   Registered Physiotherapists in Hong KongThe information provided on this website is for educational purposes only.You should consult a doctor about medical treatments and not rely solely on online information.

5 In 1 Vaccine & 6 In 1 Vaccine  What are the differences between 5 In 1 Vaccine & 6 In 1 Vaccine ?    5in1 Vaccine(DTaP-IPV/Hib) 6in1 Vaccine(DTaP-IPV-HBV-Hib) PreventableDiseases ．Diphteria．Tetanus．Pertussis．Polio．Hib ．Diphteria．Tetanus．Pertussis．Polio．Hib．Hepatitis B 2 kinds of mixed vaccines have adopted non-cellular formula. It can effectively prevent infants from being infected by Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Poliomyelitis and Haemophilus Influenzae. Type B (Hib). 6 in 1 is plus hepatitis B all rolled into 1 vaccine. Compare with the injection of traditional vaccines, these mixed vaccines can reduce total number of doses greatly and thereby help infants to alleviate with discomfort and pain related to vaccinations in order not to get parents worry.

Tetanus Vaccination Who can take the vaccine? Tetanus is a global health problem. The disease occurs almost exclusively in persons who are non-immunised or inadequately immunised. In developing countries, most of the reported cases occur in infants and young children. Tetanus immunisation is administered by injecting tetanus toxoid, usually in conjunction with diphtheria and pertussis vaccines (DTP). For primary vaccination, children should receive the toxoid at 2, 3, and 4 months of age. Booster doses are also given at 18 months, 6 years and 12 years. For primary immunisation of persons above 7 years of age, tetanus vaccine can be given together with a reduced concentration of diphtheria (Td). Usually, three doses of the formulation of tetanus-diphtheria toxoid are used. The first two doses are given 4 to 8 weeks apart and the third dose 6 to 12 months after the second. A Td booster should be used whenever 10 or more years have elapsed since completion of a primary series or the last booster dose.   Primary or booster doses are recommended for travellers to areas with risk. For those who frequently travel to such areas, a ten-yearly booster dose is recommended.   Are there any adverse reactions after an injection? Mild reactions to DTP vaccination are fairly common such as slight fever, soreness or tenderness at the injection site but these are usually associated with the effect of the pertussis component. In less than 1% of the injections, DTP may cause the following complications: high fever (more than 40.5 degrees C.) or high-pitched cry. In about 1 out of 1750 immunisations, DTP can cause the following complications: febrile seizure in children, shock or even collapse. Brain damage is rarely reported after DTP injection. Are there any contraindications? If the child is sick with something more serious than a mild cold, DTP may be delayed until the child gets better. If the child has ever had a convulsion, other brain disorder, or even mal-development after birth, the DTP is often delayed until it is clear that the condition is not worsening or that seizures are under control. If a child has developed the following complications after an initial DTP vaccination, further immunisation may need to be delayed or avioded: seizures or any serious brain problem within 7 days after injection; allergy (mouth, throat or face swelling, or breathing difficulty); high fever ( more than 40.5 degree C.) within 2 days after injection; shock or collapse within 2 days after injection; persistent, uncontrolled crying that lasts for more than 3 hours at a time within 2 days after injection.

Meningococcal Vaccine (ACWY)   What is Meningococcal Infection?  Meningococcal infection is caused by the meningococcal disease of which early symptoms are not obvious. When bacteria invade the bloodstream (Meningococcaemia) or surround the brain and spinal cord lining (meningococcal meningitis), it can cause serious illness and even cause death. Meningococcal infection is not widespread, and therefore it is not included in children vaccines program. However, when there are outbreaks of diseases across China, it is recommended that if your children or relatives need frequent travel to the Mainland, they can consider this vaccine for protection. Who has the risk of infection? The risk of infection is higher among close contacts of patients with meningococcal infections. Certain patients with defective immune systems are also at higher risk. Other risk factors include antecedent viral infection, overcrowding, chronic illness, and active and passive smoking.In general, the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection while travelling is low. However, in sub-Saharan Africa extending from Mali to Ethiopia, particularly in the savanna during the dry season (December to June), disease occurrence is higher, and there is additional risk for visitors who travel "rough" such as backpackers, and those who need to live or work with local people. 

What is Pneumococcal Infection?  Pneumococcal infection represents a wide range of diseases caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae / pneumococcus). More than 90 serotypes have been identified. It can be transmitted by droplet spread and contact with respiratory secretions; direct contact is another way of transmission. S.pneumoniae causes a wide spectrum of diseases, including: meningitis: it is a severe type of pneumococcal infection and usually presents with fever, stiff neck and mental confusion, causing long-term problems, such as hearing loss, or even death; pneumonia: it commonly presents with fever, shortness of breath, chills and productive cough, and may result in death in severe cases; and otitis media: it presents with fever, ear pain with or without ear discharge, and may lead to hearing loss in recurrent cases. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) A. Why get vaccinated? Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) can effectively protect against severe invasive infections due to the serotypes of S. pneumoniae contained in the vaccine. Children aged below 2 years are at risk to severe invasive pneumococcal infection (i.e. meningitis, bacteraemic pneumonia and septicaemia) and are advised to get vaccinated.  In Hong Kong, PCV13 (vaccine consisting of antigens against thirteen pneumococci serotypes) is included in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme.  The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases recommends individuals aged 2 to 64 years with certain high risk conditions* to receive 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharideas well as PCV 13.  For more details, please refer to the following link: *High risk conditions include: History of invasive pneumococcal disease Immunocompromised states: Asplenia, HIV /AIDS , primary immunodeficiency Immunodeficiencies related to malignancies and transplantation Immunodeficiencies related to use of immunosuppressive drugs / systemic steroid Chronic disease Chronic cardiac, pulmonary, liver or renal disease Diabetes mellitus or Cerebrospinal fluid leakage With cochlear implants (Essential hypertension per se is not considered as a high risk condition) Different factors such as age and clinical condition may affect the risk of pneumococcal disease. Patients with high-risk conditions should discuss with their attending doctors on the most appropriate vaccination regimen. B. When should my child get vaccinated? A child is advised to receive 3 doses of PCV13 in the first year of life (at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months old), and another booster dose at 12 months old. C. The following individuals should NOT receive PCV serious allergic reaction to previous dose of PCV serious allergic reaction to diphtheria toxoid containing vaccine D. What are the side effects? Most people have no serious reactions after receiving PCV.   Occasionally there may be mild fever (usually occur within 3 days after vaccination) or slight redness or swelling around the injection site, but these will gradually subside in a few days. If fever or discomforts persist, or abnormal breathing is observed, please consult a doctor immediately. E. How many types of PCV are available in HK and what are their protection? There are more than 1 type of PCV available in the market of Hong Kong but no one PCV can cover all serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Personal and environmental hygiene are important measures in preventing pneumococcal infection.