I have been working in an office for sometime now, spending hours in front of the computer... but lately am pretty bothered with the bad back pain am feeling after a couple of hours of sitting down here in my work station and doing my job on the computer. I got to admit am not really posture conscious..sometimes I sit straight "poised" and sometimes I tend to slouch especially when I get pretty bored...:P
But I guess I have bee doing these ever since, but why only now that am feeling these bad back pains?
Have you also experienced back pains after spending a few hours in front of your computer? how long can you stand doing some computer works without causing pain on your back? or do you sit properly that you can't feel even just a lil back pain no matter how long you stay on your computer?and for those experiencing back pains, what do you usually do to ease the pain you're having?
please advise as my back pain is really distracting me... many thanks
[question posted by Rexy_leigh]
responses and comments:
that is a wonderful question cause i can now tell about the before and after i bought my special computer chair..lol usually now with the new chair i can sit hours without ..(tfo tfo tfo) having any back pains. if your back is killing you you have to buy a new chair.. i am pretty sure that it can solve the problem [liranlgo]
I guess I had to agree with you, friends..maybe this has something to do with my chair here in the office... but too bad, I got no way getting rid of this chair and replace this with a good one..we have the same kind of chairs here.. huhuhuhu [Rexy_leigh]
I sure hope you get your back pain under control. It could cause a bigger problem for you in the future. I usually sit at my computer 3 to 5 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week at home. I haven't had any pain in my back for awhile now, but when my back does hurt I put a pillow between my back and the chair I sit in. I even do this in the car when I'm driving. Maybe you should try sitting in a different chair at work. Try raising or lowering the chair to see if the level at which your body faces your desk could lessen the pain.Prayers are with you. [donnaroos]
thanks for your concerned thoughts, donnaroos.. I do hope I'd be well soon.. I mean, cut down my back pain even just a bit... yeah, I have brought my square pillow here in teh office and somehow it relieves a bit when I put it on my back... thanks and Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
This is a sore (ha ha) topic for me. I'm in front of my computer a huge amount of the time for two reasons: one, I am a computer science major and all of my school work requires a computer (and there is a LOT of work in graduate school, unfortunately!) and two, I love being on the computer, and many of my hobbies revolve around it. It has definitely been a bad thing for my posture. I don't have any serious problems yet, but I often worry that I'm headed that way! I have made efforts to sit correctly, and take breaks from the computer frequently and this seems to help quite a bit. I also get regular exercise, which I think is vital. If you strengthen and stretch out your muscles, it will probably help you a lot! I recommend yoga, since it is great for doing both, and relaxing as well. I hope this helps, and your back starts to feel better soon! [valthezeh]
thanks for your suggestions, val... I haven't tried yoga..ummm maybe i'll try to have that soon to see if it works for my back pain..and am also getting a body massage over the weekend..hope either would help.. thanks and Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
After a long session at the computer, my back hurts the next day. More so from using the lap top, than the desk top. I hurt my knees and leg more, as I fold them back funny. It is not good for the lower back, either. I use a topical cream that has capsaicin (hot pepper oil) in it on my back, or knees, or whatever hurts. It gets really warm sometimes, but relieves the pain. I also take mega doses of B6, and take calcium and magnesium. Take better care of yourself now while you are young, so you can still run and play when you are old, like me. [GardenGerty]
thanks for these helpful tips, gardengerty.. maybe i'll try getting that capsaicin... hope our drug stores here have that.. Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
I can stay in front of my computer for about 4 hours thanks to my massaging chair. I don't really slouch. You know what also helps my feet and knees not to hurt, I try to keep my feet a little elevated by using a foot stool. [brckoba]
you're really innovative, brckoba... haven't thought of putting a foot stool to elevate my feet. :P [Rexy_leigh]
I learnt, by experience, three years ago what to do to avoid back & neck pain from sitting at the computer for many houres. I keep my shoulders straight. That's it. I have not had a problem since. [jennybianca]
uuummmmm I guess I need to train myself to sit and keep my shoulders straight from now on...coz I do slouch at times.. lol thanks for your advice, jennybianca. Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
Oh I don't feel the back pain within hours that is due to I get up and have a little walk probably as I do 6 hours straight every time when I am on my computer. I do however rub oil on my back for back pain when I do have any back pain. [kathy77]
Make sure you workstation is setup ergonomically. You can often request from many employers that they do an evaluation so they can set up your work area tailor-made for you. It's often far cheaper for them then the time you miss from work, possible lawsuits, and healthcare costs. Just making sure everything is the right height and you are maintaining the correct posture can work wonders. Do a search on the internet for "ergonomics" and a plethora of sites will give you the details. And well haha a new chair might help too.:) [filmbuff]
thanks for your tips filmbuff... wish my boss would listen to me when I go ask him to replace my chair.. :(( and yah, i'll go check the details of ergonomics.. thanks and Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
I usually try to sit as straight backed as possible. My chair does support my lower back but it's not very comfortable so I try to sit on a cushion. I can't usually go longer than a couple of hours without experiencing pain and my butt goes numb too so I stand up and walk round a little bit. there are braces you can get, like support belts that you wear round your waist and lower back and they help to support it and keep it straight. that may help some with the pain you're experiencing, but if it's getting worse, you should see your doctor. He should examine you at least and see if there's a medical condition causing it. [retardedrugrat]
thanks for your thoughts, retardedrugrat.. i'll to correct my posture in sitting and am also getting a body massage or yoga over the weekend..hope that would help..but if my back pain still persist, I guess I really have to see a doctor as you have suggested.. thanks and Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
It does bother me after a couple of hours (3 to 4). What I normally do it get up and do some neck exercise. Turn your neck around both left and right up and down. Also do some stretching exercises. Sure helps. [twongps]
i can sit for more than 2 hours [Bharani_king]
Fortunately, I have not experienced any back pains as a result from sitting in front of a computer too long. My aches and pains are due to something else. My feet and legs do fall asleep so when I get up it is hard to walk around. My eyes get sore from sitting in front of a computer too long or I may get headache. It probably is related to your posture so you should try and improve that if possible. Maybe you can get one of those back support things to help you get through the day and make it more comfortable for you. [kgwat70]
you must be lucky not to feel any back pains after spending hours in front of your computer.. yeah, am working on my posture now..hope this would help a bit.. thanks and Godbless! [Rexy_leigh]
well i had a similar problem sometime back , what i did simply was to correct my posture , had some problems in beginning but got used to that, and secondly adjusted comp screen to a comfortable , eyelevel. [nicks89]
Nice question ha..!!! I actually working in front of computer for almost 12 hours a day..!!!At first i did not feel a pain in my back but after months i've feel already/..for almost 6 hours in front of computer i feel already the pain in my back so i need to make some exercise into my back so that i can continue my work...just some stretch in my back..!!!! [dingdans]
for me,sitting in front of computer to work whole day is a habit with me.there isn't feedback for me.but my colleague has the same station as you.then,she went to hospital,doctor told her was nothing wrong with her,just release herself,do more exercise in spare time. [miyawcan]
Ya it's true if you sit in front of your computer for a long period you feel back ache. For this Yoga and some stretching exercise is best solution. But you ask for me i just change my position for a while. You can walk around for few mins and then come back and start working. [rohit1161]
I can stay up to 48 hours without eating or drinking just computer. [sevenat]
Are you sure that you can stay in front of computer within 48 hours with/out eating and drinking...?Your so increadible person, i salute you..:D [dingdans]
I sit sometimes for several hours and I usually end up with either back pain or neck pain. Unfortunately I just cant seem to get comfortable. We swithced from a secretarial style to a chair with arms cause my husband feeels better in it but I just cant get comfortable. Sigh. [jillmalitz]
expect back pain since your working in a sitting position and aside from that expect also the eye problem for sure you'll gonna deal with that sooner.... anyways.. i have something here for you... this doesnt require you to spend long hours in your pc and take note.... much bigger payment than myLot http://www.paidforum.net/?referrerid=2127 under my referral of course... ni_chao goodluck...happy earning [no_chao]
i love computers , so when i have time i will spend almost five hours on it , and i won't feel serious except a little tired, but these days , i won't do like this , i ususlly relax every one hour and drink some tea, or stand up and walk outside for several minutes. this will make feel a little better. [davidhsing]
I used to suffer terrible with back pain from sitting on computers day after day but now i think my back has got used to it and i can sit down and work on my computer for hours.. [kate44]
no longer than 1 hour has i have very surire back pain if i sit longer [sarah22]
i can sit without a back how much ever time.....maybe for ever......if u keep on playing and chatting....ur mind will get involved in chattinmg and playing only....and u willl, naturally, forget abt everything other than on what u r doing.....alll u have to do is just dont think of it.... ur willl easily fret that back pain n all... it is just really posssible to be like that.... it is it is and it is...... its NATURAl! [vasishta]
1 mistake in my typing there..... in the first line... i have written: i can sit without a back... its a mistake... the correction is:: i can sit without a "back pain"...not back! really....thats wiill l\ become ridiculous....! [vasishta]
I have been for the last 15 years working on computer at a streatch 10 to 12 hours. I am an accountant. I have to be with computer all the time to keep the records straight. Without computer I am a dead man in Accounts. By God's grace I neither in the past nor now have any back pain. May be due to my having had started my career as typist. From the young age I used work in office as typist where I used to work more than 9 hours. This may be the reason I do not feel any problem with back. Once you used to work long hours, in due course, you may not feel the back pain. [navtech]
Tips for avoiding back problems while working on a computer 1. Avoid continous sitting longer than 90 minutes. 2. Make sure you feel comfortable with your furniture. 3. The height of chair handrest should be approx. equal to keyboard tray. 4. The monitor is in front of you not sideways and it should be straight (perpendicular to the ground). 5. Avoid working on computers for more than 6-7 hours per day. 6. If you are experiencing back pain, stop using computers if possible. Do some exercises for few days and make sure that it is completely gone before you start again. [vikrant10]
I recomend you to do sample exercise every 2 hours. when you sit 2 hours in front of computer, stand up, walk and do some sample exercise in 3 minutes and then sit again. [mehran790]
I can usually sit here for long periods of time without much trouble. However, depending on where I am sitting and how I am sitting, I notice more pain, especially when I got to bed at night. I think a lot of it has to do with the type of chair you sit in. Some are more comfortable and meant for sitting at the computer others arent. [highflyingxangel]
lol,maybe i still young so i dun have this kind of problem, but i suggest you to stand a while and walk around when you sit a long time,maybe can have a cup of coffe and take a rest,this must be feel more better [wishangel]
yes,abv person is true that buy a new soft chair & u can easily spend 5-6 hours on computer [salman_4_earn]
This is Wiki's advice: "Pay attention to posture. The head and back should form a straight line from the ears to the pelvis. The shoulders and head should not be hunched forward. (Note: Recent studies indicate this is actually the worst position for your spinal cord, with a reclining posture putting the least stress on the discs, no mention of how it affects the rest of the body has been mentioned in the studies) Take regular breaks. One option is to install reminder software that reminds you to take breaks (RSI software; see above). There are also subscription services available which offer a library of exercises designed to be done in 5 minutes or less. Desk-Trainer is one service that offers a library of exercises based on the Feldenkrais Method with series of exercises designed to target specific problem areas. Keep in good shape, with regular aerobic exercise, adequate sleep, drinking enough water, and not smoking. This will help improve strength and bloodflow in the affected muscles." From my personal experience, once you improve your posture it is MUCH easier to hold the position correctly and your strain will be reduced. Frequent stretching really does help, too! [seamonkey]
I'm not sure why you are just now feeling back pains. I work at home online every day for about 10 hours a day. I used to never have back pains until I started sitting all day at the computer for a long period of time. I think we are sitting crookedly and it puts our backs in a bind. I know that I do not sit in this chair correctly and I sit in a slouch position when I am typing. I never stand at the computer. I always sit. I always have to get up and walk around for a while when my back starts to hurt. It does relieve some of the pressure off of it just by getting up and moving around. some stretches are nice for your back also. [stephcjh]
its sad to hear that you are suffering from back pain. i know how sitting for long hours in office can increase your back pain. bad posture and bad shape of the chair are the main causes behind it. sitting infront of computer, especially using mylot, can be quite engrossing and one can forget in what posture they've been sitting for a long time. even i face terrible back ache while sitting in my workstation without moving. but nevermind, there are some good exercises that i will suggest you for getting a relief from your back-pain. i normally prefer stretch exercises. You Stand with your back against a wall and feet shoulder-width apart. Slide down into a crouch with knees bent to about 90 degrees. Count to five and slide back up the wall. Repeat 5 times. Lie on your stomach. Tighten the muscles in one leg and raise it from the floor. Hold your leg up for a count of 10 and return it to the floor. Do the same with the other leg. Repeat five times with each leg. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Lift one leg off the floor. Hold your leg up for a count of 10 and return it to the floor. Do the same with the other leg. Repeat five times with each leg. If that is too difficult, keep one knee bent and the foot flat on the ground while raising the leg. You can also sit upright in a chair with legs straight and extended at an angle to the floor. Lift one leg waist high. Slowly return your leg to the floor. Do the same with the other leg. Repeat five times with each leg. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on floor. Slowly raise your head and shoulders off the floor and reach with both hands toward your knees. Count to 10. Repeat five times.you can call this as a partial sit-up. Stand behind a chair with your hands on the back of the chair. Lift one leg back and up while keeping the knee straight. Return slowly. Raise other leg and return. Repeat five times with each leg. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on your bed or floor. Raise your knees toward your chest. Place both hands under your knees and gently pull your knees as close to your chest as possible. Do not raise your head. Do not straighten your legs as you lower them. Start with five repetitions, several times a day. Stand with your feet slightly apart. Place your hands in the small of your back, at the back of your waist. Keep your knees straight. Bend backwards at the waist as far as possible and hold the position for one or two seconds. I'm sure these exercises will be of great help to you. take care and get well soon! [smilingurvashi]
you may enter this link to watch some back exercise videos: http://www.back.com/video.html?filename=exercise-wallsquats [smilingurvashi]
hi If I had it my way I'd be lying on my bed typing oh wait i can do that I have a lap top. I don't like my chair I want a new one sometime. Yeah back aches do happen in that chair yes I can only handle so much [Robyn28]
I am feeling bad back pain whenever i stay in front of my computer for about 6 to 8 hours continuously.. Its really hard to you know get laid in front of computer while doing some stuff with it.. And also it could affect our eyes by being expose on the light from the monitor.. Im just taking a good rest after the long time working with my pc. Just having a good rest is enough.. [vashstampede992000]
Even i have felt back ache probably due to sitting long hours in front of my computer.I think back ache is bound to happen every now and then if we sit long hours in front of computer whatever chair we might buy.The key is to get the body relaxed whenever you feel like getting bored or sumthing.....This will help you for sure. Just roam around for few minutes to get your back straightened up or talk to people around....this will help you for sure.If you want something related to medicosis then you must move to your doctor soon.He will help you with that telling you some exercises. [amit312_18]
Hey they have these great chair massagers that are simply marvalous. I tried one out in the store one day and all you have to do is plug it in. And you just lay in the chair your sitting at. Im thinking of getting one.LOL It feels great and massages your back. [TerryZ]
I am usually at my computer most the day and I slouch too. I try not too but I just do it. I do get up and down doing things and there are days I don't get much computer time but usually it isn't so much my back as the muscle running down my back neck into my back. It just feels like that muscle is pulling and so tight. I usually take a couple aleve and it does help take the pain right away along with the headache it gives me but then I sit here almost dozing because it makes me sleepy. My back does get a little stiff at times and I usually lean back and stretch it out and it pops haha. Maybe you need to get up frequently and do the exercises they say to do. I know when I was at a job being on the computer all day does kind of get to you especially when you just have to do work on it haha. But it does always help to get up and move about some and stretch your back out. I am getting my stiff muscle in my neck now but I am holding off on the aleve as long as I can so I am not sitting here zzzzzzzzzzzing. [Prairiedawn31]
It is normal to feel back pains once you have been sitting in front of the computer for few hours, for me ,I will stretch my body and move around after 30 minutes,and have a massage myself at the back. I can then sit for longer time without the pain. [easy888]
I have been feeling incresingly stiff, so I've been avoiding the computer a bit, and trying to move around. Is there any way you can get one of those chair inserts - not an entire new chair, but those things you hang over the chair to make it more ergonomic? My husband says not to buy a new chair for your workplace because some people think it's a work issued chair and "steal" it. I have a heating pad that plugs in that I sometimes use on my back. It kind of eases everything and makes me feel better for a bit. [cutepenguin]
i have back pains and usually dont feel any because the chair im in is comfortable and i do get up from time to time to walk some. now if my back is acting up then it will bother me and cant be on the computer for long periods of time. [txwoman36]
i can sit for hours and hours without feeling any back ache, but when i get up from computer only then i realise that i am having a pain somewhere in my back and i need to relax [roshni801]
like 3 hours I have a 100 year old chair I thin kI will get a better one ergonomically [kurtbiewald]
I am surprised that a pretty young lady like you is experiencing back pains at such a young age. i am older than you and my back starts to bother me after several hours. Then I need to stand up and walk around for a few minutes. Are you allowed to walk around a while when you feel back pain? [albert2412]
I have been for the last 5 years working on computer at a streatch 5 to 6 hours. I am Computer operator and teacher. I have to be with computer all the time to keep the records straight. By God's grace I neither in the past nor now have any back pain....... Thanks to God.....i am lucky and i enjoy my work on computer... [istajeet]
It is also my problem when I'm spending a lot of time in computer especially when I'm doing my job in mylot. But to avoid it, I did a stretching or I just stand for a bit just to make sure that my blood is circulating in my whole body. When our blood is not properly circulated there is no sufficient oxygen that we really need. So, this is just my advise. I spend 12 hours in the computer for mylot before but from then on I never experience back pain because of stretching and a bit of rest. [rzr247]
I used to have back pains from sitting for long in front of the computer. Try to do some stretching every now and then. Also a friend of mine introduced me to a bio magnetic bracelet from amegaglobal, now I don't feel back pains any more. There have been studies about the effect of certain magnets to the body. Check out the site www.bmj.com (British Medical Journal) the tieleof the study is ""Randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee." I hope this helps, enjoy reading. [Neriz69]
I have been working in an office and need to spend atleast 5 hours before the computer..as iam in the finance department sometimes i need to complete some long statements which takes more than 2 hours time.i have felt the back pain while sitting for more than an hour..i just sit straight or sometimes lie comfortably in my chair for a while to relax myself from the pain..sometimes i take a short break of 5-10 minutes by just walking around my cabin and then continue.. [subathra]
well Rexy_leigh, sitting in front of ur computer for a very long time is not good for both ur back or neck and ur eyes. It's better to rest ur body after an hour or so, then continuing ur work, u'll feel more fresh and then u'll be able to do ur works better =) As for me, if there's something I must do (or something very interesting to do) with my beloved compie, I can sit in front of it from... well, say, 9 p.m. 'til 1 a.m. without any rest. I'm still young so luckily I've never had backsore =) [canxnac]
Thank my natural supplements, it helps me with health problems. I too have experienced that back pains. but it was helped by exercise and good diet. Posture and care also in sleeping and waking up from bed. I learned that there is a proper way of sleeping, specially when you have back pains, Sleep on one side with your legs curled out together, or feet stretched out together. that is to balance distribution of weight. Then when you get out of bed, roll to your side, lift your body with your elbows help you to a seated position on one side of your bed first then stand on your feet. When you lift anything heavy, like a pail of water, sit on your knees so that the weight will not be on your back, but on your knees when you carry a weight. When you seat on your computer table, seat on a proper position such that your spine is rested on the back rest and stand every ones in a while. I am on my computer for as long as 16 hours, but I rest every ones in a while. I hope you can pick somethings here that can help you. Have a great day and God Bless. [Perry2007]
I used to spend a lot of time in front of computer screen and continuously changing my sitting posture almost unnoticed every time, whenever I feel some problem I try to correct my sitting habits [dio123]