Healthcare experts say using a laptop may be hazardous to your health. Many laptop computer users end up with incorrect neck or shoulder posture, which can lead to muscle pain in those areas.

Kevin Carneiro, D.O., from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine says incorrect posture and computer overuse can cause debilitating physical problems, such as sore muscles or repetitive stress injuries. Typing can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome, an injury to the nerve that passes through the wrist.

In order to avoid these laptop-induced injuries, experts say that computers should be positioned so the body forms 90-degree angles at the elbows, knees and hips. The best way to ensure this when using a laptop is to use a docking station that links the computer to another monitor and keyboard.

Another tip to help avoid muscle pain is to take short breaks every 20 minutes to allow the muscles to rest in a different position. Shrugging the shoulders and rolling the head from side to side during these breaks can also help.

Staying hydrated is also important, according to Dr. Carneiro, since it helps keep the discs in the back lubricated and healthy.

Symptoms of incorrect laptop positioning include neck and shoulder pain, headaches at the top of the head, wrist pain or tingling in the fingers.