Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on neck and shoulder pain and cervical cancer screening

Q: I’m using a laptop more having recently changed my job. My neck and shoulders feel very painful and tight by evening and I sometimes need to take paracetamol to ease the pain. Is there anything I can do?

A: Sitting for long periods at a desk can be a common cause of back pain. Maintaining poor posture by sitting hunched over a keyboard will often lead to tight sore muscles. Working at a laptop can exacerbate the issue because use of a smaller workspace will lead to hunching of the shoulders, and bending forwards of the spine in an attempt to lean forward to use the device. The possibility for tendonitis in the wrists from repetitive strain from typing is also a concern.

Ideally you should pay good attention to your posture by sitting up straight in your seat and by taking breaks throughout the day to stretch and move. Small changes to your work environment can make a big difference to your symptoms. Investing in an external keyboard will enable you to increase the distance of the screen from the keyboard and will improve posture and lessen the likelihood of back pain. Use of an external mouse will similarly help reduce poor posture. It is important to make sure you are sitting straight in front of the screen to avoid unnecessary twisting and bending, which can worsen back pain.