Impact of Monitor Arm Use on Neck Pain in Software Developers

By 2025, the industrial structure will have shifted towards a service-oriented economy, resulting in more sedentary jobs. For software developers, a moment of inspiration may require sitting in front of a computer for hours. A simple code modification can take 1-2 hours, while complex ones can take several days. At the same time, the number of people taking sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders has also increased.

According to reports, the annual prevalence of neck pain in the general population aged 18 to 75 in the UK is 17.9%, or 15.5 to 213 cases per 1,000 person-years. The prevalence of work-related neck pain among computer users ranges from 23.5% in six-month prevalence to 34.4% in annual prevalence.

For software developers, a monitor arm can ensure that computer workstations are arranged to reduce neck flexion to prevent WRNP.

Benefits of Using a Monitor Arm for Software Developers

The software developers usually spend hours at their screens, while they focus on lines of code, debugging, and design. This is because prolonged screen time may cause discomfort and chronic pain in the neck when the monitor is not placed properly. A significant advantage of using monitor arms is the possibility to create a flexible and customised configuration, which will make it easier to reduce the load and enhance the posture.

Key benefits include:

Ergonomic Positioning: With monitor arms, one can set his or her screens to eye level instead of tilting the neck or bending it. This reduces stress in the cervical muscles and avoids stiffness.

More Desk Space: When monitors are placed on the desk surface and raised, developers are able to have additional space on their desk to place the keyboard, documents, and other important items, thus creating a clean and workable workspace.

Enhanced Vision and Performance: The perfected eye angle will decrease eyestrain and will enable the developers to work longer hours without experiencing any discomfort, which in the end will improve concentration.

Flexibility and Movement: A monitor arm can be adjusted with ease in terms of height, tilt, and angle. This helps developers to switch positions during the day, enhancing blood flow and comfort.

Supports Multiple Monitors: Multitasking monitors are used by many developers. A dual monitor arm set-up will also provide the correct placement of both screens to minimise the occurrence of head movements that are uneven and may cause muscle imbalance.

Concisely, a monitor arm is not merely about looks, but it is a viable investment in health and comfort, as well as productivity over the long run in the case of software professionals.

Who Is the Monitor Arm Recommended For

Although every computer enthusiast can be rewarded with an adjustable system, monitor arms are particularly advisable to those who are at the workplace most of the time and are busy working at the screens.

They are especially useful in:

1. Software Developers and Programmers: Neck and shoulder tension are likely to develop from spending all the time in front of the screen.
2. Graphic Designers and Video Editors: The constant changes in things between tools, windows, and displays can be streamlined and configured to move up and down.
3. Remote Workers: The setups at home are not usually designed to be ergonomic; an arm of the monitor can turn an ordinary desk into a working one.
4. Gamers and Tech Professionals: The comfort and eye alignment brought by a dual arm is an advantage to gamers and those who have dual monitors or spend too much time in gameplay.

How to Set Up Your Monitor Arm to Prevent Neck Pain

The best ergonomic equipment will not assist in its wrong installation. To optimise the benefit of the monitor arm, you can consider the following setup tips so that you can be comfortable and avoid neck pain:

1. Adjust the Right height: The monitor should be as high as or slightly lower than your eye level. This lets your eyes be slightly peeped down the centre of the screen, reducing neck tilt.
2. Keep a reasonable distance: The monitor should be at least an arm's length away from your eyes. Being too near or too distant may both be a strain on the neck and the eyes.
3. Adjust the monitor to Your Body: The monitor must be placed at the front and not on the side to save twisting neck during the long working hours.
4. Leverage the Dual Monitor Arm: In case you have two monitors, position them one next to the other and at equal levels. Your main screen should be in the centre, and the secondary one a bit angled towards yourself.
5. Posture Check Frequently: Even in a comfortable position, sit back against the wall, with the feet on the floor and shoulders bent loosely. Stretch in brief periods (after every hour).

It does not take much to follow these easy changes to make a phenomenal difference that could be seen in it when it comes to reducing tension, stiffness, and fatigue during long coding sessions.

Gain Dual Monitor Arms from Sunaofe

Sunaofe provides precise, flexible, and long-lasting monitor arms that are dependable and up-to-date ergonomic solutions. The CTS200 and CTS300 dual monitor arm options are designed to accommodate professionals who depend on multi-screen configurations.

CTS200 Monitor Arm: CTS200 has a strong gas-spring mechanism for easy, smooth adjustments, making it best for standard desks. It is ideal for everyday office use because it supports a range of monitor sizes and provides stable positioning.

CTS300 Monitor Arm: Designed for cutting-edge workstations, the CTS300 provides superior cable management, increased load capacity, and improved motion range. It is a fantastic choice for programmers and artists finding a setup that is pleasing, adjustable, and clutter-free.