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09/09/2004 08:28:10 PM · #1 |
| Hi! Was wondering what you folks do to combat soreness from sitting in front of the ole' computer editing photos for too long at a stretch. I have noticed that my neck muscles get really tight. Maybe I don't have my 'work station' set up properly. Any ideas or tips you'd like to share? |
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09/09/2004 08:30:02 PM · #2 |
Well, I have gel-padded wristwrests for keyboard and mouse, which helps keep your arms and shoulders in a semi-proper position.. and I have a fairly nice high-backed office chair..
Other than that, I think my body over the years has just collapsed into the "sitting at the computer" posture ;)
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09/09/2004 08:34:37 PM · #3 |
take a half hour break every so often, stretch your muscles
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09/09/2004 08:39:33 PM · #4 |
Hi Ellen ,
Try to have the screen of the computer in the vision line (when sat in good position) to avoid bad movements of the neck , and another advice is to stretch (like cats do ... or so). Hope this could help ! |
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09/09/2004 09:00:10 PM · #5 |
Hi Ellen,
In addition to the other advice, if you're using a desktop machine, be sure that your monitor is raised so that your eye level is just barely below the top of the screen. Make sure to sit up straight and that your chair is positioned so that your knees, hips and elbows are resting comfortably at 90-degree angles. If you find that you are having trouble keeping your head up while working (such as looking at the keys while you're typing), you might consider wearing a soft collar neck brace just while working at the computer.
If you're using a laptop, I can't recommend highly enough that you hook it up to a dock with an external monitor so that you're not staring down the entire time you're working.
Sorry to sound so serious, but you can't take any chances with your neck. Once you've injured the disks, they never get better, only worse for the rest of your life. It's definitely in your best interest to head off any problems now before any real damage is done.
Good luck!
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09/09/2004 09:09:03 PM · #6 |
Echo what PhilipDyer sez, and would add:
Work in your "normal" position for a while, then consciously think about how you are sitting. I found I was sitting forward, and this was causing stiffness down the back of my neck. I repositioned my monitor an dchair and now much better, but I still have some optimization to do. Can't overstress the importance of proper ergonomics if you are seated in front of the 'pooter for hours at a time. I spend 4-6 hours per day @ work, then another 1-2 hours on an average evening. |
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09/09/2004 09:18:14 PM · #7 |
Hi again Ellen ,
(Sorry for my bad english !) Philip is absolutely right ! I have suffered two serious back surgeries and I actually follow a strong treatment from the Pain facility . Take care of your neck and back ! |
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09/09/2004 09:31:03 PM · #8 |
I have one of those big 'corner' desks with a raised platform for my monitor. So if I look straight ahead, my eyes hit at about 3/4's up the screen. So do you think the height of the monitor might be a problem? Another thing I have noticed is that I seem to get more pain in my neck and shoulders when I am working with my Wacom tablet. I'm thinking I need to reposition it so that I'm not hunched over it while looking up at the screen.
Thanks for all the good advice advice everyone! |
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09/09/2004 09:49:13 PM · #9 |
Your monitor position sounds fine. If it's Wacom use that irritates your neck and shoulder, it does sound like either you are hunched over or holding up your entire arm while using the pen. You do need to be able to support your head while looking down for extended periods of time and try to find a way to relax your entire arm while using the pen. Maybe you can use some kind of slightly elevated support for your elbow that allows your hand and forearm to move freely without requiring you to support the weight of your entire arm.
The main thing that an occupational therapist would have you do is to carefully strengthen the muscles that are causing you the most pain and to include aerobic excercises to flush a lot of blood throughout your body, which helps remove excess acid buildup in areas of excessive use, such as your neck and shoulder. If you can preemptively do that type of strengthening and exercise, it will help.
Take care!
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09/09/2004 09:51:44 PM · #10 |
I was dianosed with a herniated disc in my lower back (L5) about 1 year ago. It doesn't help that I sit for a long time at work. I really didn't want to quit and let go of Photoshop and Illustrator. I found a solution that both helped my posture and relieved the sciatica that was running down my right leg. It was originally developed for yoga and it looks silly, but it works and can be used anywhere. I swear by this and I have nothing to do with the company. The support it offers your spine is unparalleled.
There is a bad part...it's so bloody comfy you may find yourself sitting longer than you're supposed to.
The good part...after several weeks/months, you'll know what it feels like to sit correctly and sitting incorrectly will feel just plain wrong.
The Product
How it Works
Quicktime Movie of The Chair in Use at a Tradeshow
Oh, and I built a computer desk at home that I stand at. No more sitting at home for me. It's made me much more productive as well. As of this date, my sciatica pain is rare and I feel great. All photographers that gotta sit for a while for a shot should check this out. Especially the vest.
Good luck.
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09/09/2004 10:00:09 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by digistoune:
Hi! Was wondering what you folks do to combat soreness from sitting in front of the ole' computer editing photos for too long at a stretch. I have noticed that my neck muscles get really tight. Maybe I don't have my 'work station' set up properly. Any ideas or tips you'd like to share? |
Dunno if it has been mentioned, but try working in minimal light. I like to work in total darkness except for my monitor.
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09/09/2004 10:10:25 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Sorry to sound so serious, but you can't take any chances with your neck. Once you've injured the disks, they never get better, only worse for the rest of your life. It's definitely in your best interest to head off any problems now before any real damage is done.
Good luck! |
You are so right about the neck. I have two herniated disk in my neck C4/5 and C5/6. Don't know how I did it, but the computer could have a roll in it. |
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09/09/2004 10:38:22 PM · #13 |
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09/10/2004 08:30:32 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Originally posted by digistoune:
Hi! Was wondering what you folks do to combat soreness from sitting in front of the ole' computer editing photos for too long at a stretch. I have noticed that my neck muscles get really tight. Maybe I don't have my 'work station' set up properly. Any ideas or tips you'd like to share? |
Dunno if it has been mentioned, but try working in minimal light. I like to work in total darkness except for my monitor. |
Couldn't possibly do that - my eyeballs would be screaming in about nine seconds flat! LOL
Thanks for the additional info everyone. The links are a great help too! |
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09/10/2004 08:49:18 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by digistoune:
Hi! Was wondering what you folks do to combat soreness from sitting in front of the ole' computer editing photos for too long at a stretch. I have noticed that my neck muscles get really tight. Maybe I don't have my 'work station' set up properly. Any ideas or tips you'd like to share? |
E-1 (-:
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09/10/2004 08:54:56 AM · #16 |
I don't think working in absolute darkness around your screen is very good, either for your eyes (you won't damage them, but you will tire them) and certainly not for your images, which will mostly be viewed in an averagely bright room :-)
I have neck problems from an old injury (I broke it, actually), and have to be pretty careful about computer work: my recommendation is to keep moving. Fortunately, I tend to walk around while I think, and that helps keep things freed up.
E
Message edited by author 2004-09-10 08:55:18.
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09/10/2004 08:56:03 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by TomH1000:
Originally posted by digistoune:
Hi! Was wondering what you folks do to combat soreness from sitting in front of the ole' computer editing photos for too long at a stretch. I have noticed that my neck muscles get really tight. Maybe I don't have my 'work station' set up properly. Any ideas or tips you'd like to share? |
E-1 (-: |
Is this your polite way of telling me I simply need to get off my ass? LOL
Good advice! |
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