Video games are awesome, right? Whether you’re leveling up, competing with friends online, or diving into an epic story, hours can fly by without you noticing.

Statista found that Americans between 18 and 29 years old are more likely to be heavy gamers than other age groups. Around 8% of them spent more than 20 hours a week playing video games on average. That’s nothing but addiction. 

Video games can be a great escape. But do you know that they can be a cause of chronic pain? Video game addiction can lead to some injuries that linger long after you’ve logged off.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common gaming injuries that could cause long-term pain.

3 Most Common Video Game Addiction Injuries

Let’s dive into some common gaming-related injuries that can cause chronic pain: 

1. Gamer’s Thumb

Yes, there’s even an injury named after gamers. Also known as “De Quervain’s tenosynovitis,” gamer’s thumb is a condition that affects the tendons in your thumb. 

Repetitive use of the thumb inflames and irritates the thumb tendons. These tendons pass under a band of tissue on the thumb side of your wrist—the first extensor compartment retinaculum, explains the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 

Constant button-mashing, which is common in gaming, can irritate the tendons in your thumb, resulting in pain, swelling, and even difficulty moving the thumb.

2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This is likely one of the most talked-about injuries in the gaming community. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, happens when the median nerve, which runs through your wrist, gets pinched. 

According to Dominic King, DO, Director of the Esports Medicine Program at Cleveland Clinic, CTS is one of esports’ most common injuries. 

Gamers who spend hours gripping controllers, typing, or using a mouse are especially prone to this condition. The repetitive motions stress the wrist, which leads to tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers.

If untreated, it can lead to weakness in the hand and difficulty gripping objects over time. 

3. Tennis Elbow

No, tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, isn’t just for people swinging rackets; it can happen to gamers, too. 

This injury happens when the muscles and tendons of your forearm are strained. Tennis elbow, Mayo Clinic says, is linked to repeated motions of the arm and the wrist. In gaming, this often comes from prolonged use of a mouse or repetitive hand movements on a controller.

Initially, you might experience burning or a dull ache on the outside of your forearm and elbow, informs Johns Hopkins Medicine. What starts as a mild ache can develop into full-blown chronic pain if ignored.  

Tips to Manage Chronic Pain Due to Video Game Addiction

Here are some simple, practical tips that can help manage and even prevent chronic pain, so you can keep enjoying your favorite games without suffering later. 

1. Take Regular Breaks

If you’re in the middle of an intense gaming session, it’s easy to lose track of time. But sitting for hours without a break is one of the biggest culprits behind gaming injuries. 

Make sure to stand up, stretch, and walk around every 30 minutes to an hour. Even a five-minute break can make a huge difference. 

2. Consider Pain-Relieving Medications

Sometimes, stretching and posture adjustments aren’t enough when you’re suffering from chronic pain. That’s where pain-relieving medications can come in handy.

Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen are the go-to for relieving inflammation and reducing pain. But if you’re experiencing persistent pain that interferes with your daily life, prescription medicines can help manage pain effectively.  

In some cases, opioids may also be recommended. Now, opioids can be addicting. More than 2.1 million people in the U.S. suffer from opioid dependence. 

If you’re already battling opioid addiction, managing pain becomes even more complex. Prescription opioids are effective for pain relief, but they come with the risk of dependence. This is where medications like Suboxone can help. 

Two decades ago, the FDA approved this buprenorphine/naloxone medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). Over two million people use Suboxone each year to reduce dependence on opioids. 

A few patients, however, reported experiencing dental issues after taking the buprenorphine-naloxone medication. These include severe tooth decay, oral infections, cavities, gum injuries, and tooth loss. 

This has sparked Suboxone lawsuits as patients seek compensation for the adverse effects they have suffered. Many affected individuals, TruLaw informs, have filed suits against Indivior, Suboxone’s manufacturer. They claim that the manufacturer failed to warn them about the dental risks linked with Suboxone. 

Along with Indivior, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Aquestive Therapeutics Inc. are defendants in the Suboxone lawsuit. Thus, this emphasizes the importance of being fully informed about potential risks and side effects before starting any medication.

Regular dental check-ups may also be advisable to mitigate the risk of dental issues that some users have reported.

3. Invest in Ergonomics

Serious about gaming? It’s time to get serious about your setup, too. Invest in a good chair that offers excellent support to your back and keeps your posture in check. 

If you’re a PC gamer, a good mouse and keyboard that promote a natural wrist position can prevent injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or a gamer’s thumb.

All in all, gaming isn’t the villain here; it’s the lack of balance. Most of these injuries develop from long hours of repetitive motion or poor posture. You can avoid them by taking regular breaks, stretching, and investing in ergonomic gaming setups.

If you start feeling any of these symptoms creeping up, don’t ignore them. Consult a healthcare professional. Prioritizing your health will not only enhance your gaming experience, but also ensure you can continue to enjoy your favorite pastime for years to come.