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Bad Posture Is Ruining My Life
blah
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Help me H/A, I'm desperate.
So a little background. My wrist has had slight to insane hurt for maybe 2 years now. But I've managed it well with breaks, posture and ice packs when I am absolutely required to use a keyboard for long periods. A few months ago I started getting head pains. Intense ones. I really can't describe the pain involved, it felt like I was dying. I went to my doctor, he told me it was posture almost immediately and gave me some anti inflammatory meds, they worked. But the pain kept coming back eventually despite my best posture attempts. Since then I have moved out and lost my desk and also decided to ditch my chair. I am currently on the couch with the screen on a coffee table, my whole body is in pain. Not just my neck which is killing me, but I have huge headaches, my right shoulder and wrist, right side of my abs, top of my right leg, and right toes. All of these places are hurting badly due to a lack of desk and chair. Problem is I need to use my computer for many hours a day at the least, especially for the next few days.
Saturday at the very latest I AM (100%) buying a chair and desk. I want these both to be bought to maximise posture. Comfort is irrelevant so long as this pain goes away. I would be willing to buy the chair online and get it shipped, but the desk I will buy here. Please assume both items have an unlimited budget, although keep it realistic.
What I need advice on what to get. If not a specific chair, what specifications should I be looking at? Material, back, edging, arms, height, how much it should lean back. What will give me extra posture from a regular chair? As for the desk. Advice? I'm 6ft tall and the top of my hip bone is 1030mm high. Any other advice to relieve pain is so so so welcome.
So a little background. My wrist has had slight to insane hurt for maybe 2 years now. But I've managed it well with breaks, posture and ice packs when I am absolutely required to use a keyboard for long periods. A few months ago I started getting head pains. Intense ones. I really can't describe the pain involved, it felt like I was dying. I went to my doctor, he told me it was posture almost immediately and gave me some anti inflammatory meds, they worked. But the pain kept coming back eventually despite my best posture attempts. Since then I have moved out and lost my desk and also decided to ditch my chair. I am currently on the couch with the screen on a coffee table, my whole body is in pain. Not just my neck which is killing me, but I have huge headaches, my right shoulder and wrist, right side of my abs, top of my right leg, and right toes. All of these places are hurting badly due to a lack of desk and chair. Problem is I need to use my computer for many hours a day at the least, especially for the next few days.
Saturday at the very latest I AM (100%) buying a chair and desk. I want these both to be bought to maximise posture. Comfort is irrelevant so long as this pain goes away. I would be willing to buy the chair online and get it shipped, but the desk I will buy here. Please assume both items have an unlimited budget, although keep it realistic.
What I need advice on what to get. If not a specific chair, what specifications should I be looking at? Material, back, edging, arms, height, how much it should lean back. What will give me extra posture from a regular chair? As for the desk. Advice? I'm 6ft tall and the top of my hip bone is 1030mm high. Any other advice to relieve pain is so so so welcome.
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Go into a store that sells computer chairs/desks and just talk to a salesperson. Tell him you have problems with your back/posture and you need an ergonomic chair. Be prepared to spend texa$.
If this is exaggerated, and by pain you mean lots of discomfort/mild arthritic pain, then I would just look into a firm, supportive office chair, a desk at a level that matches the natural resting level of your arms, and some gelpads for your mouse and keyboard to rest your wrists on. If it's really bad, try a tempur material contour pillow and elevate your keyboard and mousepad. You can pick up the contoured ones at discount stores for less than $20 bucks, more often than not.
When you look for a desk or chair, make sure they match heights easily. You want to be able to have your legs and arms resting at easy angles, not having to tuck your legs forward or back to stay seated or dangle. The desk should allow your arms to rest perpendicularly. Try to get one with rounded edges, as prolonged pressure on your forearms can cause various issues as well.
Sit in them/at them before you buy. I'd suggest starting at an actual retail furniture store, see the highest end, see what works comfort wise, and then shop down until you find something affordable that matches the same feel.
Both have worked for me in the past when my desk job put a bit too much strain on my arms, but if you are feeling serious pain, see a doctor. Quick fixes won't solve what could be a much more serious problem.
my government apparently has lots to say on the subject, mostly obvious stuff:
* Adjustability - Check to see that seat height is adjustable.
* Seat height range - Check whether the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the worker(s) who will use it. Other chairs may have to be selected for very short or tall workers.
* Backrest - Check to see that the backrest is adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction.
* Seat depth - Select the seats that suit the tallest and the shortest users
* Stability - Check for the stability of the chair; a five-point base is recommended.
and so forth
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/chair.html
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jun/12/on-the-ball/
You have to make sure you get one fitted to you though.
That does seem awesome, and the added enjoyment of playing dodgeball in the office is a definite plus. I'm thinking this might help the OP over time, though it would probably agony in the short term. A backless chair might be a good call though.
I'd look into an Aeron chair or equivalent. It's expensive, but it's like sitting on sex. No matter what, go and sit on whatever you're going to buy first, because ultimately you're the only one who can figure out if it's comfortable.
Also, there are some specialists here at work who give free ergonomic evaluations (see workers comp point above) that help you set up your work area. Maybe you could find one not affiliated with a company who can check out your desk?
This isn't just posture, get some xrays. It could be arthritis in your spine, if it's something like ankylosing spondylitis or some other form of rheumatoid the sooner you know and begin treatment the less damage you will suffer and the less pain.
This cannot be said enough. It sounds like you are either grossly exaggerating or are in need of serious medical help. If you are feeling severe pain across your body, it's probably more than just arthritis.
Start running. Slow at first, especially if your posture is bad, but it will help your back. Maybe work out a bit, get some back strength, it will immensly improve your posture.
If you do do this though seek advice first. The last thing I want is for you to take my advice, do things the wrong way and just hurt your back more.
Well, exercise is great but running is probably the absolute last thing anyone with joint or bone problems wants to be doing. Hell, people are completely healthy and ruin their joints running.
I don't know much about chairs, but looks like other posters have got that covered
Get some fucking X-Rays taken. Doctors have this retarded thing where most just write off back pain as something "everyone has". This is bullshit, and you need to advocate just how much pain you are in.
Thanks H/A
That looks like it could seriously mess with your back.
GM: Rusty Chains (DH Ongoing)
It's actually good for your back because it forces you to adopt a good posture to avoid pain. The instability of it helps you build core muscles too.
Those are good to maintain good posture and improve minor posture problems. They are not suitable for someone who is in serious pain or who has a medical condition - instability is the last thing you want if you've got damage in your muscles.
Yeah, I just started sitting on one yesterday, and it was great for my posture, but that also meant a bit of initial discomfort because I'm not used to it. (It also easily ruffles up the shorts/pants and can pinch the butt, and that hurts too). I would probably not suggest it for the OP, but for anybody wanting to try one out: it is fun, and can help, but I wouldn't suggest using it as the only chair you have.
I was thinking of suggesting yoga or pilates. Something to help build core strength as a lot of people with bad posture just aren't strong enough to sit properly, so end up slouching because it's easier to let the joints take the strain rather than the muscles.