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Use of Resistance Training to Reduce Chronic Neck Pain in Practicing Ophthalmologists

  • Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma (J Kammer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Ophthalmologists and allied healthcare professionals unfortunately suffer from a plethora of musculoskeletal disorders that are associated with chronic pain. Poor ergonomics and overuse of neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments all contribute to these musculoskeletal disorders.

Recent Findings

The normal anatomic position of the spine is compromised in many activities ophthalmologists must perform such as using a slit lamp, subjecting the neck to hours in strained positions which can result in debilitating injury. Fortunately, resistance training can be used to help mitigate injury from chronic muscle overuse. Resistance training is a form of exercise with progressive overload where muscles exert a force against an external load.

Summary

In this article, we suggest numerous resistance training exercises that can be used to improve skeletal muscle deficits. In addition, we also discuss how new medical equipment used in the field of Ophthalmology can help improve ergonomics and mitigate injury among practicing clinicians.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Ophthalmology, Bronx, NY, USA

    Ayobami Adebayo, Thomas Vo & Richard P. Gibralter

  2. Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Eyitayo Adebayo

Authors
  1. Ayobami Adebayo
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  2. Thomas Vo
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  3. Richard P. Gibralter
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  4. Eyitayo Adebayo
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Contributions

The idea for this article was originated by Dr. Thomas Vo. Ayobami Adebayo and Eyitayo Adebayo performed the literature search and analysis of the review. Ayobami Adebayo and Eyitayo Adebayo drafted the paper while Dr. Richard Gibralter critically revised the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayobami Adebayo.

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Ethics Approval

Since this is an opinion review, there were no human or animal approvals required by an ethics or IRB committee. The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Key Points

• Ophthalmologists suffer from many musculoskeletal disorders that are associated with chronic pain due to poor ergonomics and overuse of neck muscles tendons and ligaments.

• Resistance training can be used to help mitigate injury from chronic muscle overuse.

• Specific exercises and stretches can be used to improve neck function associated with chronic pain.

• New medical equipment used in the field of Ophthalmology can help improve ergonomics and mitigate injury among practicing clinicians.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma.

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Adebayo, A., Vo, T., Gibralter, R.P. et al. Use of Resistance Training to Reduce Chronic Neck Pain in Practicing Ophthalmologists. Curr Ophthalmol Rep 10, 79–84 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-022-00288-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-022-00288-2

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