The intro lyrics “Get up, stand up” by Bob Marley come to mind when reflecting on what I am about to write…lol!
My business requires me to spend about 99.9% of my time in front of my laptop. That is approx. 8 to 10 hours a day sitting – which is already a lot.
However, since joining Steemit, I have basically doubled those hours as I do most of my writing in the evenings, so with a brief break from sitting in the early evening whilst I see to dinner, lunches, homework etc. I am back in the sitting position again from about 5-7pm and then again from 8pm through to who knows what time – normally around 1am.
That is approx. 17 hours out of 24 that I am sitting hunched over a laptop with a mouse in my right hand. And if I am not in front of my laptop, then my mobile is in my right hand.
The Hulk has NOTHING on my right shoulder muscles lol! I am certain I resemble something like this these days... lol!
Now, bearing in mind that I have endured long hours in front of computers for about 17 years now – I have NEVER experienced the type of pain that has crept up on me in the last two months.
It started with neck pain which over a period of a month has just gotten progressively worse – to the point of not being able to fully look left or right – my family are now calling me BatMan. Hahaha
Then slowly but surely, the pain worked its way down my spine – reaching a point of the most agonising lower back pain I have ever experienced and knots in-between my shoulder blades.
The only way I can think to describe the pain, is that it feels like I have been compressed into a sardine can – or run over by a bus… it is so agonising that I have started to find that I literally CANNOT sit anymore – because I feel like I am going to spontaneously combust due to the frustration caused by the pain.
Despite the fact that we ALL know how bad lengthy periods of sitting is for our bodies, most of us continue to do it! – Sadly, I am now in a position where I am asking myself “WHYYYYYY did I do this to myself?!”
I have reached a point where I can actually no longer sit for more than 5 minutes at a time. In fact the only place I get a little bit of reprieve when sitting is on the toilet - and not for the obvious reasons haha!!!
That’s a pretty bad point to reach. Lol
Not only am I in a constant state of pain, but I have also created quite a predicament for myself, because I have client deadlines to meet etc. and, well – I need to work! So…..
Since Friday, I have opted for a “standing desk” which is amusingly located in my other office – the kitchen haha!
So, sadly – I have learned my lesson the HARD way and will now have to alternate between standing and lying for the next little while. Pity I can’t suspend my laptop from the ceiling and work like that lol!
A heads up to all my fellow steemians… don’t make the same mistake I did… and on that note...
No, really...
STAND UP!!! lol
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
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Do you do yoga at all? I highly recommend it if not. It could drastically improve your situation.
Personally, I used to have back pains, especially after having kids. At one point, I was hospitalized for having an inflamed spinal disk (for overworking myself and not looking after my back), and was bedridden for a week (it was the worst, considering I had 2 little ones to look after on my own at that time). Since then, I committed to seeing a chiropractor and also started doing yoga (on and off, but a lot more committed to my practice now), and I have to say that I almost never have back issues nowadays.
I hope you find the balance you need and hope you can continue to give more priority to your health! All the best!
i know. For me, I think I might be going blind, and my body is atrophing.......even after a year and a half, I'm as addicted to this place as ever....and that's a big deal since i lose interest after 3 months with most things.
I can completely relate! lol! I am blind too compliments of my work! haha!
Oh no that's terrible, I'm really sorry to hear about your back pain!! I work a corporate job and have been sitting down for 10+ hours, 5 days a week for the best part of 9 years now so I can completely relate.
I know others have suggested great ideas but have you visited a doctor yet or asked for a referral to a spine specialist? You don't want to have permanent damage and potentially they could suggest something to fix it. In the mean time, I definitely try to do the following
All the best, hope you find something to ease the pain :(
Thank you SO much for all those tips @phamished - I am learning the hard way now to include many of those into my daily lifestyle. I went to have X-rays today and learnt A LOT! - Have to go back on Thursday... Wish me luck :)
No worries at all, I hope the X-rays did not reveal anything too serious. The very best of luck to you and keep us posted!
Thank you hon xxx - sadly they did :/ but hey.... onward we go :)
Oh no, I'm really sorry to hear that. Hopefully with the diagnosis being the first step, next step is treatment and less pain for you :(
Absolutely!!! Can only go fowards from here xxx
I developed some lower general spinal maladies, nothing to worry about unless I get less than the idea amount of sleep. Going for a walk has helped on some occasions.
The best permanent fix would be taking up new seating habits. Like having your chest heaved in front of you and being seated in such a way that your feet are planted flat on the ground, legs spread wide enough to active and tighten the glutes at the sides.
Thank you @deadsparrow - at this point I am trying anything and everything, so I will take heed of your advice xxx
Have a look at the Aeron chair (I sell them :-) this is an amazing chair as you do not sit in it , you just float in them . You can just google there is millions of blogs on them .This is the only chair that come in 3 sizes to fit different body types. Also the combination of the sit and stand desk is a great choice you made as our body's is not actually designed to sit down for long periods, so new studies has found in the ergonomic fields.
WANT ONE!!!!! Thank you for that!
I recommend switching your mouse to your left hand and using fountain pen rather than ball point.
The left hand mouse will force a change in posture. The fountain pen requires a gentle touch on paper.
The mouse thing takes a month or two to get used to but it worked great for me....might do the same for you.
useful advice @john-gpr thank you. Went to see a specialist today and it would seem I am in worse shape than anticipated.... but doing whatever I can to alleviate, so I appreciate the advice xxx
Been there, done that .. (eminem said those words too LOL) !
I've been in this laptop-based business for over 13 years now too, and got to a ton of problems with that. Yes neck pain, back pain, all pain, u name it lol
The thing that works most for me though, short breaks, neck exercises, and sports generally. If you can swim, that would be awesome!
I still forget to take them, the short breaks, yet try to stick to sports.
Oh and you forgot to mention the stress too LOL, but that's another discussion altogether.
Cheers from my desk !
yip - 21st century problems right lol ;) Doing all of the above now... but as always... too little too late...
nah nah, youll get back on track, i promise ! happens to me all the time. Just stood up for a quick desk break and typing while at it lol
thank you xxx Loving the positivity!!! hehehee ;)
I'm glad you made a plan. It's a good idea to get a standing desk if you're sitting for that long. I would hate it. And also I love the title of your post. It's really appropriate. 😄
hehe thanks ;)
I’m sorry your in pain dear! I work standing all day long so the only thing I’ve found that helps is a heating pad and epsom salt in a hot bath! I hope you feel better soon
Wouldn’t this be the life? Lol
thank you!
my family are now calling me BatMan. LOL, this made some grin escape my face.
@jaynie
Thanks for the advice.
Now this is how to show love.
hehehe happy to at least have brought a smile to your face :D