Neck strains from studying/preparing for DAT

[Hopeful20]

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Is this something common that we all share as pre-dental (and I suppose pre-medical) students?
Any recommendations in alleviating the strain? Or other study methods than looking down on a book for hours upon hours?

 

[Stephie3]

get a la-z-boy chair.

 

[rsj05004]

what i do to help the strain is prop a book or two under the top edge of the book i'm reading so that instead of looking down at a flat angle __ you are looking at an incline / which tends not to strain the neck as much. hope my explanation is somewhat clear..

 

[TedyBearSuicide]

Take frequent breaks, hold the book up or prop it up as the previous poster recommended and maybe walk around as you study. I used to work 8 hours/day staring at a computer monitor then would come home to sit for another 4 hours. So I would walk around or stand at my kitchen bar counter and study.

 

[Vicviper]

get a la-z-boy chair.

Amen to that. Any position where you can gaze down at the book at a 45 degree angle comfortably (and in style!) really helps. I remember when I started studying I would sit in Starbucks and literally have my head over the book and look straight down for hours, my neck was killing me! As previously posted, propping the book up really helps too - but a reclined position is comfortable to sit in for hours - just be careful to not fall asleep! ;p

 

[orangutan777]

a book stand if youre too lazy to hold the book up lol

 

[cyrano]

When I study I usually use a new position every hour or couple of hours. It's also good to get up and walk around. Try some of those lame airplane exercises/stretching techniques that they always play during the middle of a long flight. It's the same deal, if you sit still that long your muscles are bound to tighten up and will result in stiffness, pain, and eventually cramping. Good luck!

 

[12345a]

ibuprofen

 

[icedspice]

yikes people. i couldnt sit still while studying for my dat.. i used to take a break every 1.5-2 hrs.. i moved locations, i got bored sitting in the same place 🙂


put some music on.... so you can bounce your head and dance a little while studying! =D your neck wont be in the same position, therefore, less strains!