Anyone get neck and shoulder pain while marketing

[Michael Gentry]

I am a full time IMer and obviously spend a lot of time on the computer which has caused me neck and shoulder pain. I had to go to the doctor and he perscribed me a muscle relaxer. Its kind of funny that I am in reasonably good shape. I ride the treadmill at a very fast pace everyday for an hour with no pain at all. Anyway I was just wondering.

[Christie Love]

Used to have continuous pain in my neck, back, and hand. Now, I visit my chiropractor every other week. She does wonders. I am pain free for the first time in about 13 years... without medication.

Oh, yea running without properly stretching after then sitting at the desk all day will ensure that you will get neck and shoulder pain. Be sure to stretch properly and take multiple breaks. I have reminders remind me throughout the day to break.

Hope this helps. Ouch.

[Michael Gentry]

Actually, I do properly stetch before working out and it makes me feel wonderful and no pain and it helps in every aspect of my life except when I am on the computer for more then approx. 2 hours. Its kind of strange. Thanks for reply

[Jelasco]

I've been sitting in front of a PC for 25 years and never had any pain in shoulders, neck, hands, etc.

I actually thought carpal tunnel syndrome was made up until I met someone who had it.

I'm not doing anything special beyond using a decent office chair with back support, so I don't have any advice for preventing it. I think getting up and taking breaks every hour or so helps.

If your keyboard is at the wrong height or too far away, forcing you into a slumping or bent over position, I can see how that wouldn't help.

[Anthony J Namata]

Hi mikeg514,

Cardio workout alone isn't going to do the job - there are so many muscles and joints you don't get to recruit when you just run - you want to incorporate some resistance training and to give it the whole body approach. By the way, I'm a qualified personal fitness trainer.

Hope that helps,

[waken]

Me learning to have a balance between work, exercise and socializing now. It's rather unhealthy sitting all day long looking at the pc.

And I find that productivity drops after certain hours in front of it. So, balance up to achieve more.

[Justin Mandel]

If you have great posture it shouldn't be too much of an issue...

Otherwise a good tip is to use a timer and every 30 minutes get up to stretch out for a couple of minutes at a time.

You can install a FREE timer on your computer to alert you to take a break.

[Aurora9]

I get shoulder pain and also a little bit of eyestrain from sitting at the comp for a long time. Most times I'm so absorbed in what I'm doing that I forget to take a break.

But have been more conscious about it in recent times.

Still it pretty much flies out of the window when I'm on a deadline. A free timer on the comp though sounds like quite a workable solution.

[Bob Montgomery]

Just happened to read this post. I have been having a lot of neck pain (trapezius pain) which I believe is caused from sitting at the commputer for long periods. I've tried getting up and stretching every so often, have even tried accupuncture and a vibrator. Not much has helped so far. I'd go to the chiropractor or doctor but I don't believe they would offer much more than what's been said in this forum and they're a lot more expensive.

I'm still looking for some relief so I'll let you know if I find it. I'd be interested in any other suggestions also.

[TheVCF]

YES!

I typically run three (3) computers at a time and right now how we have them set up I have to twist back and forth between computers, as I am now ...

which causes me neck and back pain over the course of a long day online, you know? ...

We know we need to:
1) reconfigure our office so I don't have to twist back and forth between computers and ...
2) we are planning on using Dragon Naturally Speaking, which we gave my copy to one of the people working for us and needed it more than I did, so I can "talk to" one of my computers while I type on the others!
- Do any of you currently use Dragon Naturally Speaking?
It's Really Cool!

But I am still looking for Better ways to more efficiently run multiple computers simultaneously too!

I hope this all helps and Have a Great Day!

- Michael

[BIG Mike]

Never had a problem in going on 30 years sitting at a computer. I do get the ocassional pain in the arse when my father-in-law is bugging me but that's off topic

[Ricter]

Upright rows. Front raises.

I've been a desk jockey for decades. I get that pain when the muscles, targetted by those exercises, have atrophied. Those exercises work like a charm every time.

[Kalidasa]

Wow, so many people with body issues, maybe I should run a wso on my product.

No, I don't have problems, but that's becuse I know how to deal with them with natural techniques.

[JonnyAndrews]

Indeed! It seems I hold all my stress in my left shoulder... then when that fills up it starts in on my right. Total suck factor of like 13.9.

Thank GOD my girlfriend is tolerant! I have her literally stand above me and do this move like something out of the WWF! But it works.

Last time she had to really work me over I believe... and I'm not kidding... the phrase "Go go Gadget pain center!" slipped out.

She's still laughing about that.

[buckapple]

Hello,

I can tell you one thing I see ever so often. (I'm a licensed massage therapist) and maybe it will help someone. IF you wear glasses that are bifocal, a lot of times a person may tend to cock their head back a little, to quickly see something through the bottom of their glasses.

Several times of doing this can add up to a pain in the neck.

The ideal situation without getting too technical here is to have someone observe how you sit and look at your screen, how you are sitting in the chair, the angle of your arms extending to the keyboard. Just that simple observance sometimes will zero in on where you are pushing the limits...

example:

I wear reading glasses (no bifocals) to look at the LCD screen, the way mine is set up with minimal cocking of the neck backwards is the top of the LCD is even (level) with my eyes, thus looking down at the screen ever so slightly with my eyes, my head stays straight, even with my shoulders if looked at from the side...natural like.

The head has some weight to it, if it's bent forward or cocked back you're putting a strain on your neck muscles.


Hope this helps,

Gary

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by buckapple

Hello,

I can tell you one thing I see ever so often. (I'm a licensed massage therapist) and maybe it will help someone. IF you wear glasses that are bifocal, a lot of times a person may tend to cock their head back a little, to quickly see something through the bottom of their glasses.

Several times of doing this can add up to a pain in the neck.

The ideal situation without getting too technical here is to have someone observe how you sit and look at your screen, how you are sitting in the chair, the angle of your arms extending to the keyboard. Just that simple observance sometimes will zero in on where you are pushing the limits...

example:

I wear reading glasses (no bifocals) to look at the LCD screen, the way mine is set up with minimal cocking of the neck backwards is the top of the LCD is even (level) with my eyes, thus looking down at the screen ever so slightly with my eyes, my head stays straight, even with my shoulders if looked at from the side...natural like.

The head has some weight to it, if it's bent forward or cocked back you're putting a strain on your neck muscles.


Hope this helps,

Gary

Spot on

You need to take reguar breaks from the computer.
Lighting should be good
Make sure you're sitting in a decent chair (not something cheap and nasty or old)

I've just paid $600 for a computer chair, and it's one of the best investments I've made for years even tho hubby wants to put it away somewhere so no one can sit on it lol

Kim

[joshbond]

I get this a lot too. The best advice I can tell you and what usually works for me is to just take a break and walk around more.
Sometimes I'll catch myself working for 4 or 5 hours straight without stopping. Thats usually when I notice problems.
If you just get in the habit of taking a break and walking around or stretching once an hour or more it will help a lot.
Also make sure that your chair isn't what is causing the problem.
I used to have a chair that I thought was ok but then I switched to a new chair and its been WAY better. So you may try some different chairs or positions in the one you have and see how that works.

[OMI]

I just got back from a 1 hour massage to help with that and I feel GREAT! I, too, sit in front of the comp most of the day and even at night with my laptop.

You'd be surprised at what can affect your muscles. If they get too tight, they actually bend and pull your spine. People that see a chiropractor can get their spine is re-aligned, but I love the peace and quiet and just getting pampered. There's a Yoga place right next door to my massage store that I may try, too.

I have a monthly membership to http://www.massageenvy.com, a nationwide chain of massage therapy stores. There's a couple within a 5-10 minute drive from me.

Oh yeah, a good mattress will do WONDERS! I got a new mattress last year and man do I sleep better.

[Easy Cash]

Yes - this is a common thing

The muscle holding your shoulder back is under strain due to your mouse hand/arm working so hard.

The muscle ends up pulling your shoulder forward.

What I did to get rid of it.

1. Change your pillow that you use. Make it higher or adjust the height.

2. Bend your back over a bar or backwards over a chair (or something stable) on each section of your spine. Right over with your arms. This loosens up your spine.

Do it continuously for a few weeks.

Works for me.

[Heather Bestel]

Some really great advice on this thread.

Having a supportive chair can make so much difference when you are sitting in front of the computer for long periods. Having regular breaks is crucial too.

We sometimes forget that the neck and shoulder area is a common place for us to hold on to stress. So, taking time out everyday is very important, even if it's just to relax for ten minutes.

Heather

[TheRichJerksNet]

Well I been here for 23 years ... Last 15 years I have been online 7 days a week 15 - 18 hours a day. I used to get pains but I guess I have been here for so long my body is used to it ..lol

James

[melanied]

I do tend to slouch quite a bit while I work, which gives me neckaches and headaches. I need to stop that!

[Ricter]

You'll slouch less with more strength. The strength solution is the least expensive to implement and has the most additional benefits.

[louiefrias]

I don't have neck and shoulder pain anylonger...I outsource it!
:-0

[Kristi Lane]

I have herniated discs in my neck that are definitely aggravated by computer work. What keeps me off the pain killers is sitting on a ball chair to build core muscles while I work, yoga, and taking a 15 minute active break every hour - either walking around the block or the wii fit

That said, I'm off to the neurologist on Tues for further evaluation due to numbness in my shoulder and arm.

Kristi

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by louiefrias

I don't have neck and shoulder pain anylonger...I outsource it!
:-0

Nice one

Kim

[Glenn Leader]

Originally Posted by louiefrias

I don't have neck and shoulder pain anylonger...I outsource it!
:-0

And it's about time you paid me!

[Conrad C King]

I got a lump on my forehead when I fell asleep waiting for a slowwwwww WHM to load and cracked my head on the desk.

[tamtu]

I used to not any more, what I did was changed my chair, placed the key board and mouse at a more convenient place.[Key board on my lap and mouse on the chair].

[JeffersonB]

my left arm is killing me

[jhongren]

My neck and shoulder (esp the back) hurts...think it is the posture of sitting in front of the pc the whole day. :_(

[VegasVince]

Some nights after a long battle on the computer...I feel a tingling sensation all over my body.

What's that all about...and should I be concerned???




xxx Vegas Vince

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by VegasVince

Some nights after a long battle on the computer...I feel a tingling sensation all over my body.

What's that all about...and should I be concerned???

xxx Vegas Vince

Probably a totally crap posture Vince and not taking enough breaks. Honestly you can really damage yourself doing that

Cheers
Kim

[VegasVince]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

Probably a totally crap posture Vince and not taking enough breaks. Honestly you can really damage yourself doing that

Cheers
Kim

Thanks Kimmy......good advice on the posture....cuz tryin' to watch the game.....and porn....and provide content rich information to Warriors requires more twisting and bending then I'm capable of at this stage of my life.

xxx Vegas Vince

[SpudDS]

I spend about 8 hours on my PC and only have a break to get a coffee or got to toilet, i even eat my lunch at the PC.
I dont get backache but i do tend to get a lot of headaches

[buckapple]

Hello,

If you're getting headaches from using a computer a lot, you "may" need to get your eyes checked or try some low number reading glasses, run it past your MD.

Gary

[John Rogers]

There's some good information at this site
DOHS | Ergonomics Homepage

If you aren't going to do the ergonomically correct stuff, at least do the stretches.

I have degenerative disc disease of the c-spine (neck), arthritis in the neck and shoulders, and carpal tunnel. It's a bitch. Stretching helps the neck and shoulders. Vitamin B6 is good for the carpal tunnel.

John

[jhongren]

Now my eyes are dry and painful. So maybe such pain can be included too.

John

[sylviad]

I have neck pain problems that date waaaay back to when I spent 25 years as a typist. The problem comes from sitting in one spot for too long without a break.

Another problem I learned from my optometrist is that computers (and TV watching) can cause eye problems because we don't blink as often when staring at those monitors as we normally do when we're looking around a room. So that's something else you might want to watch.

The solutions are quite simple actually. The problem is how to get into the habit, which can be hard when you're focused on work.

If you can set a timer for every 1/2 hour - stop work, get up from your computer and stretch out your shoulders, back, legs, arms... for about 3 minutes or so. Get into the habit of looking away from your monitor even more frequently so you exercise your long vision and actually blink for a change.

Although sitting at the computer might not sound like something that causes stress, it does. Perhaps not the stress you think of when you have a problem to resolve, but the body stress from sitting in one place.

Hope this helps. There are specific exercises you can do to prevent neck, back and eye problems but I don't have them. Here's a site that has soem good info and exercises - it's by one of those neck/back pain products featuring the wooden people:

Backrelief.com

Sylvia

[sylviad]

Originally Posted by VegasVince

Some nights after a long battle on the computer...I feel a tingling sensation all over my body.

What's that all about...and should I be concerned???

xxx Vegas Vince

Now, I'm no expert but it sounds like you're cutting off circulation by sitting so long... and from having bad posture. It's tempting to slide down the chair so that our backs are no longer straight. I do it all the time and have to remember to sit up straight now and then. Tell me, does your butt ever get sore? Mine does when I get so slouched that I'm sitting on my tailbone.

Sylvia

[logocheckout]

I have fibromyalgia, arthritics, disc disease, migraines, neck pain, leg pain, eye pain, chest pains, hand pain, etc.

By reading some suggestions on this thread, I will try some of them. The one that I know that I can afford right away is to stop sitting for long periods without taking breaks.

Thanks for all of you.

[sylviad]

Originally Posted by logocheckout

I have fibromyalgia, arthritics, disc disease, migraines, neck pain, leg pain, eye pain, chest pains, hand pain, etc.

By reading some suggestions on this thread, I will try some of them. The one that I know that I can afford right away is to stop sitting for long periods without taking breaks.

Thanks for all of you.

Wow! I've had people tell me about their pains and it always makes me feel extremely fortunate because mine is strictly neck pain - with arthritis from all those years sitting in one pose. Although, lately I've been getting eye pain and I'm positive it's from staring at the monitor all day long. If you have eye pain, it could be eye strain, like mine. I need my glasses changed, but resting my eyes by taking a complete day off helps a lot. Check your vitamins too. I think it's Vitamin A for the eyes, so if you aren't eating enough of the right foods, you could be lacking this vitamin. I regularly skip (or skimp on) meals. When I go back to my 1-a-day vitamins, I feel much better.

Sylvia

[Christie Love]

Here's another suggestion.

Make sure that your area is ergonimically correct for you specific height. This will make a world of different. Get a chair that has back and lumbar support. It's possibly due to your positioning.

You'll want to stretch before and after your workout. Emphasis on the after part or you will literally be stuck when you cool off.

Also, get an adjustment. It works wonders.

[sylviad]

Originally Posted by Christie Love

Here's another suggestion.

Make sure that your area is ergonimically correct for you specific height. This will make a world of different. Get a chair that has back and lumbar support. It's possibly due to your positioning.

You'll want to stretch before and after your workout. Emphasis on the after part or you will literally be stuck when you cool off.

Also, get an adjustment. It works wonders.

One of the most amazing pieces of egonomic furniture I've ever seen was a chair without a back. Well, ok. A stool - but not a typical stool. It had a place for your feet and the seat part was tilted in such a way that it was impossible to slouch. When I saw the guy sitting in it, I thought how uncomfortable that must be trying to hold your back straight without any support whatsoever.

Surprise! It was extremely comfortable. The way the seat was formed, you couldn't help but sit straight. It forced your back straight. Amazing. I think chair backs and arms make us lazy. There's a lot to be said for proper ergonomic furniture, as opposed to furniture "claiming" to be such.

Sylvia

[Ragtime52]

I am running a floating-center in Frankfurt, Germany. It is realy a great thing for people with lots of stress and/or neck and back problems.

On our website is also a list of floating-centers in various places around the world. The lists are on the very bottom:
Fragen zum Floating - Floaten - floatbase - Das Floating Center in Frankfurt/Main

It is only in German but you should get along and find a place near you and give it a try!

[jedz]

I think i'm lucky enough because I do not usually experience such pains except when I'm very stress and had tight deadline to finish.

[logocheckout]

I took a very long walk today and went to the lake and just hung out for about an hour with my son's dog.

Coming back was more difficult because I had not taken breakfast nor the diabetic medication before I left the house so I was very dizzy and had chest pains. I may have over done it today. Yet, I am very glad that I pushed my self as hard as I could.

[TorontoCarol]

Add me to your count of pain in the neck marketers. I also wear bifocals and wondered if that is part of my problem. That and forgetting to move out of this chair regularly.

[tremayne]

I think it's called tension. That's when mine hits...or maybe it's just old age in my case!

[105724]

me too, I get a pinched nerve on my right shoulder. Its much worse depending on my feet position. With both feet flat on the floor it barely happens, feet under the chair will do it everytime. Posture, posture, posture