Using a standing desk for other ergonomic reasons, am getting some back pain, want to figure out why.
Alternately, have some weird chairs I'm trying, but all have no backs and sitting at them...also gives me back pain.
Details within!
First off: I've spent a lot of time investigating ergonomic options. I welcome suggestions, but please don't just say "don't stand." I'll explain my reasons below, but I am not making these decisions for arbitrary or fad-based reason.
I'm a programmer (well, currently on a long sabbatical, but...). I'm currently 33. When I was 25, I came down with some pretty serious RSI in my elbows and wrists. After lots of existential despair and experimenting, I found that the RSI was controllable as long as I used this keyboard in a specific way...my arm above the elbow parallel to my body, then a 90-100% degree angle, then the keyboard. Using the keyboard this way, I didn't have issues. But! Due to my body proportions, it is impossible for me to sit at a normal desk and get the proportions -- it would put the keyboard into my legs! So, I stood. For about 5 years, it was fine. I could use a desk quite a lot...if I didn't stand with my keyboard at the angle etc, I'd get RSI pain. If I did, though, no issue at all. There was a little adjustment at the beginning, but there was never back pain -- until I hit 30 or so (lol). At that point I started getting lower back pain...I went to a physical therapist, but we really never got to the bottom of it. Then, I quit my job and radically changed my lifestyle in a way that allowed me not to have to use a computer much at all.
Fast forward to now: I'm 33, and I want to be able to use computers a lot again. I'd like to gear up to go back to work, get into programming again, etc. So I bought a standing desk and got everything set up (NOTE: I have my screen at the right height, a proper distance, etc). But I've found that I get back pain...sort of in the center of my back?
Here's how I'm standing: slightly wider than shoulder width. Knees slightly bent. I try to engage the muscle around my stomach a bit to support my back. I try to stay straight. I try to bring my head/chin back over my spine, and keep my shoulders back (eg not slouch forward). Like I said: for most of the 5 years I used a standing desk, I had 0 back issues. Then I got back issues that went unsolved. Standing in the way I just described it is...ok. But I can still "feel it," and over the day it definitely builds. I try to take regular breaks, and do some stretches (I'd welcome advice on exercises or stretches!), but while that helps a little, it hasn't gotten to the core of the problem. Today I've been trying to make sure my whole body is straight, sort of, not letting my torso be more forward...I *think* that is helping a bit? But it's hard to tell. It's like whack a mole. You change your position to help one area and it moves a bit.
So I'd definitely appreciate any advice that you think can help me get to the core of the problem.
I have been trying to find chairs that work...but given the requirement that essentially my legs not be at a 90 degree or so angle, it's been hard to find. I live in China and while it's very easy to buy most things online, finding weird ergonomic chairs has been hard. I tried a couple and haven't had success -- they've all left my back hurting. So...maybe I also need to know how to sit properly? My guess is that whatever the core postural/physical issue is, it is probably similar. I'm going to keep trying chairs, but again, I'm not super hopeful that I can find anything while I'm still in China. I am open to suggestions about alternative ergonomic setups, chairs that you think might fit my requirements (there's always life after china or hey i might be able to even find it here).
A physical therapist who knows anything about this is probably out of the question. First off: coronavirus (boooo almost finished this post without mentioning it). But even beyond that, I live in a small city in China and am doubtful that there is anyone who knows.
I welcome your advice! This is really important. Right now I'm not relying on computer work to make money, but I will be in the next year or so, so I need to be able to work normally! |
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