To the people who sit all day at work....

[nutterbutter2010]

How do you keep your back from killing you??? I try to sit differently durring the day. Part of the day I just sit normally. Another part I sit indian style, and I also sit with my legs crossed. But by the end of the day, my back is just killing me!! What am I doing wrong? What else can I do to make it better? Truthfully, I've been sick, and haven't been able to work out / run, so I think thats also contributing to the pain.



TIA

 

[missypie]

I am an attorney and the typical "attorney office furniture" is not set up for the computer age and is also too large for the average female. A few years ago I started having terrible back pain. One of the things I did was to get the firm to give me the the "deluxe secretarial chair" in lieu of the big ol' soft leather attorney chair. It adjusts a lot more ways than my old chair and that helps a lot.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Do you sit at a desk?

They make these foot elevators... they even make HEATED ones for the winter!!! Also, does your chair have an adjustable lumbar? If so, adjust it, if not, try a lumbar pillow.

 

[mickeyboat]

What has helped me tremendously is core strength training. I don't find I need to lean on one elbow or sit on my leg anymore to stay comfortable. I also try to take frequent breaks and walk around. I also like to get out at lunch time and walk (or go to a quick exercise class).

Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[FireDancer]

Sit on a backless chair or a stability ball. It makes you engage your abdominal muscles which support your back. It might mean supplying your own chair at work but I consider my health worth the cost.

Standing and walking around every hour is also good. Not only for your back but also for your eye and, in my opinion, your sanity.

I also make up for all the seated time by doing my hour of exercise (at the minimum) per day. Once you are back at the gym and back on the road maybe you'll feel better.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I have the top of the line Aeron chairs.

Everyone at a desk in my company gets one unless you have an ergonomics check-up and they say your body type/size/shape/handicap requires you to have something else.

Also, remember to take breaks. Five minutes every hour to get up, stretch, and focus your eyes on something distant for a few minutes helps.

 

[Darsa]

I have a poster on the wall by the door to my office, and about once every couple hours or so I'll get up and do the stretches on the poster. They feel soooooo good after sitting at the computer all that time! I also try to just GET UP once every few minutes and at least take a few steps here or there (not too hard, as an admin asst).
Our company is non-profit, and cannot afford any of the high-end stuff. So, I take it upon myself to do what I can to prevent pain

 

[OK!]

When I started working from home instead of at the office every day, I was required by my company to order an ergonomic chair (on their dime, of course). I was able to adjust it precisely to fit me and so far, it has been fantastic.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I do get up often, like 2-3 an hour at least. Yes, I do work at a desk, and I'm typing or writing all day long. It usually starts hurting after a few hours (I only work 6 hours a day) and pretty much goes away once I leave.... maybe its a mental thing...... LOL

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, and I'm on the phone a lot so I have a headset.

 

[ohiomom28]

Funny you ask, I just went to the chiropractor last night. My chair is horrible and I don't have a headset. They just ordered wireless headsets for the other girls in the office but not me. I'm not on the phone as much as them, but I am on my cell all day long. Try writing and talking on a cell all day. (I'm a dispatcher) I have been hinting around at a bluetooth. I can't handle much more of this back/neck/shoulder pain...

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I don't have a phone in my office! Its good because I don't have to deal with people, but if my family needs me.... I have to use my cell.

Also, along with my back, its also my bottom that hurts a lot. I guess its because I put my weight on one part of my butt most of the day. Thats why I try and switch sitting positions a lot, but at the end of the day, I still have a big pain in my butt (and back) LOL

 

[Darsa]

Try writing and talking on a cell all day.

Yikes, that makes my neck and back hurt just to read!! I hope they get you a bluetooth, that is REALLY bad for you! We had an ergo specialist come in a couple weeks ago, and he went ballistic when he saw I used a handset with that shoulder rest thing. I now have a wireless headset

 

[sunshine girl]

I agree with the exercise idea. I need to go to the gym in order to be able to sit most of the day in my office. Maybe once you can get back to working out you'll feel better?

At my office we have private restrooms with locking doors, so I'm able to go in there a few times a day and quietly do a yoga pose or 2 (downward dog, tree, plank) to stretch out and get the blood flowing! I even do push-ups in there (washing hands THOROUGHLY afterwards... and then hand sanitizer just to be safe...). It really helps.

I know not everyone has the space to privately do mini yoga/push-up sessions at work, but if you do... it might be worth a try. Or maybe signing up for a yoga class after work?

 

[quasar4legs]

Pilates

I now do pilates 3 times a week for an hour each session and have imporved my core strength. It has made a HUGE difference to my back and neck.

Hope you find something that works for you.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Pilates

I now do pilates 3 times a week for an hour each session and have imporved my core strength. It has made a HUGE difference to my back and neck.

Hope you find something that works for you.

They offer pilates at my gym, but its at the worst hours! I'll have to make a real effort to get there!