No, not in terms of shooting at people, running them over, stealing cars, engaging in vandalism or enjoying random acts of arson. I meant in terms of my poor spine! Forget all the commotion about video games being the psychological tool of the devil – it’s the ability to bend my spine into contorted unnatural shapes that keeps me awake at night.

One of the most common medical problems connected typically to playing computer/video games is crooked posture. There is a considerable percentage of children in Junior High and High School who have a crooked posture as a result of frequent gameplay sessions. Personally I think this counteracts the video-game-begets-violence argument quite well – I mean, how intimidating is a limping, arched-over, neck-crocked game player? He probably can only see my shoes, let alone try to throw a punch at my face! The press recently had a story about a boy who ended up in hospital thanks to the fact that he used his force-feedback controller seven hours a day, which severely damaged his wrists, knuckles and hand nerves. Hardly stands him in good stead to terrorise his local community, does it?

So what can we do to combat (or video-game battle) fatigue? Dr. Kristine Fortuna, a professor in the orthopedic department at Temple University, recommends that you “should sit in front of a video game or television for no more than 20 minutes at most.” Then you should take a walking break. Twenty minutes at most?! Blimey! If I’m in the “zone,” I have to be surgically removed from the TV by six large men in white coats and a keg of chloroform. No, that won’t do. I Googled for some advice: “Place your computer monitor height so the top third of the screen is even with your eyes and the screen is 18” to 24” from your face. Support the lower back. Every 20 to 30 minutes, sit up straight and pull the neck and head back over the shoulders. Hold for a count of three and do 15 to 20 reps.” Sounds more encouraging – at least I do not have to leave my sacred monitor.

Over the last few days I have tried it and….drum roll please…..it works! Doing these simple things has minimised my neck and back aches. Hurrah! Now all I need is some quick and effective advice at making me more handsome….turn the light out maybe. So, any of my fellow game worshippers have any extra tips for healthy game posture?