Computer games a pain in the neck?

COMPETITIVE mums and grandmothers have been injuring themselves playing on this year's must-have video games console - the Nintendo Wii.

Osteopath Lee Harvey, has drawn up 'How to Wii' guidelines after an increase in parents over-exerting themselves to keep up with their children.

Lee, of Weston Chiropractic Clinic says key games to watch out for are golf and tennis, which caused discomfort to some over the Christmas period.

His practice, in Sunnyside Road, says game-players are using the controllers over-zealously when taking part.

The 37-year-old former Broadoak Community School pupil said: "Patients have been coming with neck, wrist and neck complaints after playing on the Wii.

"It is partly to do with competitiveness in not wanting to lose to younger members of their family.

"It is a repetitive strain injury, not unlike sore thumbs from teenagers using their mobile phones.

"But I don't want to stop people from playing as it's a form of exercise."

Nintendo say some of its games come with warnings about risks before they start.

Mr Harvey has come up a How to Wii guidelines for gamers which include:

* Keep wrists straight in line with elbows.

* Limit continuous playing time to 20mins.

* Stand directly in front of the screen, not to one side.

* Do not grip the controller too hard.