image created by Midjourney
In a satirical car commercial, a man sits in a doctor’s office with a strange ailment: his finger stop scrolling through affordable car options. One hand grips the phone while the other finger moves endlessly up and down, even when the phone isn’t there.
📱 “Can’t stop scrolling? You might have scrolliosis,” the ad caption reads. “But don’t worry, Carvana has the cure.”
Clever. The comedic diagnosis – scrolliosis – pokes fun at endless swiping, but the humor behind it reflects a very real problem: we live in a digital world designed for repetitive scrolling.
🖐️ From hand immobilization to weaker grip strength, a key predictor of longevity, the true risks go beyond attention-grabbing distraction.
Quick Poll
created by Midjourney
A generation of aching hands
Phones are extraordinary tools for discovery, learning, and communication, 🌍 but hours of screen time can have health span repercussions.
These effects are starting to show up at younger and younger ages. Doctors have noticed an alarming influx of young adults experiencing painful hand conditions that don’t usually arise until middle age, around 40 to 50 years old.
A recent study found that more than a quarter of college-age students spend at least eight hours a day on their phones. ⏳ More than 50% of them report hand pain.
In a separate survey, 43% of smartphone users report experiencing persistent thumb pain, which can mimic the symptoms of arthritis. 👎
Scrolling and online texting keep our elbow and thumbs bent in an unnaturally position for an extended period of time.
At the same time, the motion also involves repeated flexing and extending of the thumb and wrist (often for hours on end).
These repetitive, unnatural movements can reduce joint mobility and flexibility, while also triggering inflammation that damages nerves and joints.
At first, this can show up as slight pain and discomfort, but over time, the risk can escalate to thumb tendonitis, ‘text claw’ (i.e., carpal tunnel syndrome), and ‘cell phone elbow.’
There may also be a connection to longevity, as researchers are beginning to investigate the impact of phone use on grip strength, a key longevity marker. ⏩
What phone habit has been most difficult for you to get over? Share your answer with us.
Why grip strength matters
💪 Grip strength is more than your ability to have a tight hold of things...whether it’s a coffee mug, or, metaphorically, your life. It’s a canary in a coal mine for overall musculoskeletal health.
Studies show that grip strength can be an accurate test to assess overall frailty that other measurements might miss.
People with strong grip may be less likely to suffer from frailty, bone and muscle loss, and injury. Even a firm handshake can be a sign of healthy grip, a better biomarker than blood pressure for heart health. ❤️
But weak grip can be tied to numerous age-related diseases, ranging from type 2 diabetes to lower bone mineral density, malnutrition, cognitive impairment 🧠, and depression.
Muscle drives metabolism, which regulates inflammation, blood sugar, and bone health, and grip strength reflects overall muscle health.
🪢 Contrary to what I believed, research suggests that the longer you hold your phone, the weaker your grip becomes.
Things like gripping your phone and texting (which may contribute to similar overuse injuries as scrolling) are even linked to symptoms of arthritis.
If not that, it can create pain that mimics arthritis.
image created by Midjourney
That pain can impact everyday life.
Activities like writing ✍️, pulling items from grocery shelves, or lifting small objects can become harder.
It can take a toll on emotional well-being, as our hands serve are outlets connection and stress reduction: whether it’s crafting, cooking, or simply being able to hold hands. 🤝
The encouraging news is that there are exercises and habits that add functionality back into our hands, and health into our bodies.
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Strategies for healthier hands
created by Midjourney
Four exercises to improve hand mobility
Make a ‘C’ shape: Think of it like charading LEGO hands. Repeat multiple times on both hands. Find the exercise here.
Squish the ball: Squeezing a ball is a test of grip strength, but it’s also an exercise to improve it. The Guardian recommends starting with 10 to 12 reps for three to five seconds, once daily.
Finger stretch: Hold one hand palm-face out in front of you. With the other hand, gently pull the fingers of the palm-out hand down toward your chest. Then face your fingers toward the ground and pull them toward you.
Kettlebell Crush: Squeeze a kettlebell hard on it’s sides while hinging at the hips. Then pull the weight to your chest, keeping your elbows in line behind you, and lower the weight, repeating 10 to 12 times for 3 sets, writes Men’s Health.
Long-term strategies
⏲️ Scroll differently: Take breaks during phone sessions, reduce screen time, or try the text-to-speech function on your device.
🪑 Think posture: Upright posture puts less strain on your neck, which can protect the nerve that runs from your neck to your fingers.
🌀 Notice your triggers: Online shopping? Facebook? Doomscrolling through news? Become aware so you can consciously adapt.
🧠 Support mental well-being: Findings from the study of university students suggests that having fewer daily connections and lower self-esteem increases social media use. Mental health affects more than the mind.
Key takeaway 🌟
Scrolliosis may not be ‘real’ (yet), but it points out a subtle and unhealthy habit caused by spending too much time on our phones.
And while scrolling is largely unavoidable, it doesn’t mean weaker hands. Simple exercises and habit changes can improve finger dexterity, restore mobility and flexibility, and may improve the trajectory of aging.
📌 This Week
Coming TOMORROW! The Livelong Woman
Tomorrow is the official launch of The Livelong Woman! Led by Editorial Director Rachel Lehmann-Haupt and writer Tiffany Nieslanik, The Livelong Women brings the science, strategies, and stories in women’s health and longevity. As part of the Livelong community, you’ll automatically start receiving it when we launch. 🚀
🗣️ Longevity we’re loving
All of our podcasts are on Youtube, Spotify and Apple. And check out our website for practical health strategies.
Should you care about telomeres? The newest science on keeping cells young. Watch the episode
Take it harder as you age: What a cardiologist says about the secret to good aging. Read here.
📊 Poll recap
As Livelong enters our most exciting chapter yet, we wanted to know: How do you want to evolve? …
Top response: Become more optimistic. Nearly one-third of Livelong readers want to experience more positivity, a win for mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Becoming more disciplined and less anxious are also important for many of you too. Get the full story here.
Thanks for reading!
💌 No more scrolling :) Until next time.
About the author: Erin is the Senior Editor at Livelong Media, where she explores the intersection of health, science, and the human experience.
The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
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