Listen to your body,  AbdulRaheem charges all

By Bashir Dawodu and Muizdeen Adewole

A lecturer at the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, University of Ilorin, Dr Adijat Mojisola AbdulRaheem, has charged Nigerians, particularly staff and students of tertiary education institutions, to “move often, sit wisely and listen to their bodies to prevent neck and back pains.”

Dr AbdulRaheem made the call last Wednesday (September 9, 2026), while discussing her research, titled “Back Pain, Neck Pain and Modern University Lifestyle,” during an interview with UNILORIN Bulletin in her office.

The don noted that “a few minutes of movement today could help protect the back and neck tomorrow, thereby contributing to a healthier University environment and improved productivity.”

She explained that the human body is designed for movement, stressing that sitting for prolonged periods, particularly in awkward positions, can place continuous stress on the muscles, joints and other structures supporting the spine.

According to Dr AbdulRaheem, “Poor posture can make the problem worse.For example, sitting with the head pushed forward towards a computer screen or repeatedly bending the neck to look down at a mobile phone can strain the muscles of the neck and upper back.”

The don pointed out that the solution to back and neck pain is not to abandon technology, but to develop healthier habits.

She advised people to raise their phones closer to eye level whenever possible, take regular breaks from screens, change their positions frequently, and use voice calls or voice-to-text functions when appropriate rather than continuously looking down at their devices.

She added that sitting for long periods without changing position could cause stiffness and discomfort in the lower back.

Dr AbdulRaheem advised all  to seek medical attention if they experience severe pain or if the pain persists without improvement.