Back Problems

Jeice

I work at a computer all day at work, and when I get home, I use the computer to play games. So pretty much, I'm using the computer from when I wake up until I go to bed (plus, I have bad posture when I walk, crouching etc.). Lately, I've been notice that my lower back has been hurting. It's just like a paper cut kind of pain.

So, I decided to follow ergonomically correct ways to work at a desk from the internet. Right now, I am sitting in an ergonomically correct way, but thing is, it feels like it's making my back worse. Is this because my back is so unaligned that the correct way is actually SUPPOSE to hurt me? Should I continue sitting in this manner? Will this help my lower back problems?

ApexMirage

I Second this query.

LondonBridge

I have bad posture myself and found not much you can do about it if you sit behind a PC all day like I do as well.

I do find that exercise does help and when lifting I keep an eye on my posture when lifting weights so I know I'm doing it right. Just an idea.

Thanatos

Yeah, start exercising. That will help a lot.

Your H/R department should have someone who can do an ergonomic evaluation for you, and adjust your chair/desk accordingly.

PirateJon

Back extensions were highly recommended by my phiso.

Lie face down, arms at your sides. Lift your head and upper body up as far as you can. repeat.

LondonBridge

Thanatos wrote: »

Yeah, start exercising. That will help a lot.

Your H/R department should have someone who can do an ergonomic evaluation for you, and adjust your chair/desk accordingly.

Heh, thats if he has an a HR. We have one and its practically outsourced and my company is pretty good sized too.

musanman

I stretch every morning and every night and that seems to help. Doing situps helps as well, since part of the problem is that your core muscles are unbalanced. If you strengthen your stomach it takes some load off.

Another way to keep my back from getting stiff is by laying on the floor when I'm watching tv. Keeps me from slouching on the couch or hunched over my laptop.

PirateJon

Here's the thing - you spend most of the time with your back fully flexed in one direction (sitting). You need to flex and hold it in the other direction. Lifting and situps and stuff are good, but not exactly what you need. That from a physio-therapist that helped me get my spine in check post-surgery.


You will be sore - not 'pain' exactly - but uncomfortable since you're not used to maintaining that position. If you have real pain, numbness, tingling, get to a doctor.

Fizban140

I was told it was recommended to walk around every 30 or so minutes to relieve the stress on your back.

Wezoin

I think *note: I am not a medical professional in any way and am just mentioning something I've noticed* that lower back pain might also be poorly effected by weight. This is strictly because I know that in Canada if a woman claims her breasts are big enough (and therefore heavy enough) to be causing her back pain she can get a breast reduction done on the government's dollar. I'd assume that a large stomach/man boobs would cause the same kind of problems.

Dark Moon

When you're not sore, start doing deadlifts. Done properly, they will strengthen your lower back enormously with the added benefit of being the best lift for core strength in general. I used to have back problems from sitting, and now that I've begun lifting and doing lots of deadlifts I can sit all day and feel nary a twinge.

Triple B

The chair you're sitting in can make all the difference in the world, as well. We have pretty lousy chairs in the cubes here at Staples HQ, and because of that, my back is always pretty stiff when I stand up and try to walk around. The problem could be as simple as your chair.

JaysonFour

When my back starts aching, I just lay on the floor with my arms over my head. Then I lift one leg at a time (until it's straight up in the air), then both at once. This usually helps straighten out the vertebre and quiets the pain some- then I follow it with a painkiller and some downtime laying on the couch until it kicks in.