On average more than 142 million texts are sent every day in Britain. Survey results released by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) show the text lives of teenagers in particular are becoming a pain.
The survey found that:

• Just over a third (34 per cent) of young people aged 16-24 interviewed in a GB survey send an average of 20 or more texts a day.

• One in six (16 per cent) of 16-24 year olds interviewed had experienced discomfort in their hands when they text.

In light of the survey results, chartered physiotherapists are urging people, young and old, to learn good text habits to prevent the onset of TMI.

Bronwyn Clifford, chartered physiotherapist specialising in ergonomic health and CSP spokesperson, says: "Texting is a great way to communicate - especially to pass on news about exam results - but mobile phones are not ergonomically designed for excessive texting and they require repetitive movements to operate them.

"Too much texting can result in pain and swelling of the tendons at the base of the thumb and wrist."

When exam results are announced in England on August 14, students will inevitably share their news with family and friends. The CSP's survey also revealed:

• Regionally mothers and partners are the most popular people to text both good and bad news

• Fathers and siblings came bottom of both lists - below friends.

In the run up to students' big day, the CSP is giving advice to help texters reduce the risk of developing painful TMI.

Bronwyn, who specialises in treating upper limb disorders, says texters need to think about the frequency, duration and intensity of their texting: "Keep messages short and use abbreviations and the predictive text function on your phone.

"Try to restrict text sessions to 5-10 minutes and avoid holding the phone if you are not using it or are waiting for a response as this will help prevent muscle fatigue from continuous grasping."

For further advice on how to avoid TMI from text messaging, the CSP has produced this 5-step programme:

1. Hold the phone up with the screen facing towards you so you are not having to flex your neck too much as you look down to view the screen.

2. Keep your hands close to your body. The weight of a phone may not feel much, but the load on your arm is significantly increased if the arm is held out stretched and this action will put strain on your neck and shoulder muscles.

3. Try to use both hands together when texting to spread the load. Keep messages short and use abbreviations and the predictive text messaging feature on your phone. This will help reduce the repetitive motion of pressing various keys.

4. Don't text continuously. Try to take breaks by putting the phone down between text messages.

5. Carry out the following two exercises to prevent text message injury:

• Regularly open your fingers and stretch them out.

• Stretch your arm out, rotate your wrist so it is facing upwards and with your other hand pull your palm down towards the floor to feel a stretch over the front of your forearm muscles. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.

For more information on how to avoid TMI visit the Society's websiteat www.csp.org.uk.