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Area of care: Posture and balance

Pain linked to screen work

In short

Sitting for a long time in front of a screen, in a position that moves little, can cause pain in the neck, back, shoulders or wrists, and tire the eyes. A screen placed too high or too low, a mouse placed too far away and monotonous tasks make these problems more likely.

  • Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

Common signs

  • Pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders or lower back
  • Pain in the elbows, wrists or hands
  • Tingling or numbness in the hand
  • Cramps or a feeling of muscle weakness
  • Dry eyes, blurred vision at times, headaches

When to see a doctor

  • Pain that does not go away or gets worse
  • Pain that goes down from the neck into an arm
  • Heaviness or tingling in an arm
  • Hand that has become clumsy, or fingers that are hard to move fully
  • Neck pain that wakes you up at night

What physiotherapy does

When symptoms do not improve, physiotherapy may be offered. The physiotherapist shows exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve posture.

Techniques used at the practice

Manual therapy, muscle massage, mobilisation of the neck and upper back, strengthening of the postural muscles, motor control work, stabilisation of the deep muscles and mobility exercises for the shoulders and back.

How the sessions go

A postural and functional assessment to identify areas of tension, joint limitations and muscle imbalances. Individual care combining manual techniques, therapeutic exercises and ergonomic education.

My pain diaryFill it in every day, show it at your session

Advice

Adjust the height of the screen and the layout of the workstation, keep the forearms supported, change position regularly and build in active breaks with simple mobility and strengthening exercises.

Sources

  1. Travail sur écran. Risques pour la santé - Risques liés à l'activité physique - INRS (new tab)INRS (Institut national de recherche et de sécurité), accessed October 26, 2026
  2. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) - NHS (new tab)NHS, accessed October 26, 2026
  3. Douleur du cou, torticolis : que faire et quand consulter ? (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026

Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

This page is for information and does not replace a consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Posture and balance

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