Parents, educators, and healthcare providers should be educated on the dangers of myofascial pain and develop strategies that will secure children's musculoskeletal health.
Myofascial pain in children has been referred to as "trigger point pain." Chronic pain arises from developing sensitive areas within muscles called trigger points. It has been recently proposed that such a type of pain is attributed to the presence of smartphones, tablets, and laptops in schools. The circumstances worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped usher virtual learning into most schools and boost screen time for entertainment.
However, the most susceptible group is children, who tend to be inactive and repetitively engage in doing one thing for hours. Sitting forward for hours stretches the neck, back, and shoulder muscles, causing them to be painful with trigger points that may refer pain to other body parts if they are not taken a break from.
Myofascial pain in children can be characterized by Muscle Hardening and Tightening. The pain usually begins with tightness in the neck, shoulders, and back.
To avoid or at least reduce the incidence of myofascial pain, it is also essential that each child be taught not to spend too much time watching the computer or any screen. Exercise, proper posture, and ergonomic equipment must be encouraged to prevent fatigue or muscle strain. One way to further prevent this condition is by engaging in physical activities and pastimes that do not involve screens.
Parents, educators, and healthcare providers should be educated on the dangers of myofascial pain and develop strategies that will secure children's musculoskeletal health. One of the best preventive measures against further health problems that may cause long-term damage is an awareness-raising environment regarding exposure risks associated with the extreme use of screens. Education, ergonomic changes, health policies, and community efforts can fuel this cause for healthier, more active lifestyles.
