My Back a.k.a. shriveled old man

Akilae729

So as a senior engineering student weeks away from graduation, I've been sitting in desks constantly.

My back has started to hurt when I'm sitting in an office chair unless I hunch forward which will eventually turn me into



I've even started to walk a little hunched over.

I know that what I need to do it hit the gym and strengthen my back which I plan on doing. However, my final aircraft design project is due in three weeks.

The majority of this time I'm going to be glued to a computer.

Is there anything that I can do to help with this now so that when I walk across the stage my back is not ruined?

Usagi

Ibuprofen (don't drink with it, kills your liver), stretching, frequent breaks and those disposable heat wrap things will all help you out

Fallingman

I get this a little. I started making a real conscious effort to straighten up and push my chest out more. It's hard, but I felt a bit of relief as I started to hold a lot of tension in my upper back.

EDIT: Also, once you get a job... Well... I hope you like desks. Getting into good habits now will save you a lot of pain in the long run.

Kakodaimonos

Use a foam roller.

Myofascial Release

Rhomboids

Entriech

Usagi wrote: »

Ibuprofen (don't drink with it, kills your liver), stretching, frequent breaks and those disposable heat wrap things will all help you out

This is not true. Drinking with tylenol kills your liver. Though any medication will cause your liver to work harder, so drinking may not be a good idea if you're taking repeated doses of anything.
Fun tip, you can combine tylenol and ibuprofen for extra pain relief without any ill effect.
Ensure that you're not exacerbating the problem at home. If your pillow or bed aren't supportive enough, it could be making the problem even worse.

Usagi

Entriech wrote: »

Usagi wrote: »

Ibuprofen (don't drink with it, kills your liver), stretching, frequent breaks and those disposable heat wrap things will all help you out

This is not true. Drinking with tylenol kills your liver. Though any medication will cause your liver to work harder, so drinking may not be a good idea if you're taking repeated doses of anything.
Fun tip, you can combine tylenol and ibuprofen for extra pain relief without any ill effect.
Ensure that you're not exacerbating the problem at home. If your pillow or bed aren't supportive enough, it could be making the problem even worse.

Pardon me, you're right - ibuprofen and alcohol increases your risk for stomach ulcers and gi tract bleeding

ZEROID

Hey I'm computer science here, glued to computer monitor everyday, all the time.

What you need to do is adjust the chair so that your desk doesn't sit too low or too high. Then bring your chair close to the desk enough that it's better/comfortable for you to straighten your back. Not like stick straight but every chance you get, remind yourself to straighten your back.

Darkewolfe

Lots and lots of core building exercises when you're working out. Also, if you can take a break every hour, lean forward to the point where you're stretching your back, try to place both hands on the floor and hold it for 30 seconds. Sit back up, then repeat that motion again till you've done it three times. It's a little stretcher that makes your back happier.

Akilae729

Kakodaimonos wrote: »

Use a foam roller.

Myofascial Release

Rhomboids

This looks phenomenal

virgilsamms

One really good thing is just walking more. Try to fit it into your day where you would otherwise drive, or walk further for coffee or whatever.

Pixel Blue

-

Beck

Definitely visit your chiropractor, and a massage therapist. They'll send you home with exercises you'll need to do.

Consider raising the height of your desk and monitor so you're looking forward (not down). I used to have horrible back pain, getting a new, higher desk (which is actually a cool vintage kitchen table) and a chair with a short back (no neck rest) worked wonders for me. Along with some stomach exercises.

Hold your stomach in, too.

Thanatos

Have you had your eyes checked recently?

PirateJon

Snake pose / back extensions. You're spending the entire day with your spine flexed one way; this pose will flex it the other way. I used to do it a few times a day, but now mostly in AM and PM.

http://www.santosha.com/naga.html

Darkewolfe

Thanatos wrote: »

Have you had your eyes checked recently?

Why do you say this? Is it just something about people bending over to peer more closely at things?

Thanatos

Darkewolfe wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Have you had your eyes checked recently?

Why do you say this? Is it just something about people bending over to peer more closely at things?

Yeah. Your eyes degrade slowly over time, and you start to lean forward to make up for nearsightedness.

I'm lucky in that I'm just slightly farsighted, which means I like to sit back from the screen. I have a lot of friends who are nearsighted who have back problems, though, because of their awful posture. It makes it a lot easier to sit up straight if you're not subconsciously trying to compensate for your eyes.

Cervetus

Try putting a pillow behind the small of your back when sitting at your desk.

Akilae729

Thanatos wrote: »

Darkewolfe wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Have you had your eyes checked recently?

Why do you say this? Is it just something about people bending over to peer more closely at things?

Yeah. Your eyes degrade slowly over time, and you start to lean forward to make up for nearsightedness.

I'm lucky in that I'm just slightly farsighted, which means I like to sit back from the screen. I have a lot of friends who are nearsighted who have back problems, though, because of their awful posture. It makes it a lot easier to sit up straight if you're not subconsciously trying to compensate for your eyes.

Yeah, got a new prescription a while back.

It's more that whenever I'm on a computer I've also got text books and notes open on the desk in front of the monitor.

I've been sticking a pillow in the back of my chair and feeling alright.

Only 2 1/2 more weeks till my airplane is done.

Figgy

Is it possible to use a better chair? Some office chairs are just plain terrible. They may seem comfortable, but they are not good for your back.

Dark Moon

When you do eventually have time to go to the gym, make sure you are squatting and deadlifting. I used to get terrible back pain on a regular basis - since I started deadlifting a few years ago I've not had a single back issue (that wasn't related to an injury incurred in the gym).