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I posted this a while back in the Health section and didn't get very many responses so Ill post it here where many may suffer from the same problem.
For the past six months, I have been suffering from a chronic case of "computer neck". My neck and upper back are always sore. I've been to the doctor and there aren't any bone problems. The pain gets better or worse depending on the day but in hardly ever goes away. Its also much worse at night. I was out of work for a few weeks in November, and during that time, my neck did start getting better - but it never got completely better and now that I am back in a computer job, the neck pains are back full force. Do any of you have this and how do you deal with it?
Are you using a laptop or a desktop? How is the setting where you work? I'd review your ergonomic layout. I have my setup so I stare just above the center of the monitor. Every few minutes I look away briefly.
Anything one does in a static position for any length of time has physical consequences. It's not just computering, it's driving, reading, watching TV, etc.
Computer work involves the chair, the keyboard, the monitor. Each or all can be the contributing factor. So, I suggest this: sit down at your computer and analyze each -- the comfort and height of the chair, the position and height of the keyboard, the placement of the monitor.
I have an "executive-type" chair - good butt support, a high back, arms {spine relief}. My computer sits on a higher than normal desk (wasn't made for a computer) and I pull out the side top drawer as an armrest when using the mouse for long periods of time {shoulder relief}. My monitor is probably at the same height as described by castufari - looking straight ahead I'm looking at the top third of it - the combination of my keyboard placement and monitor height gives neck relief.
I also move frequently - I always have a beverage of some sort sitting here and simply reaching for it makes me shift my position.
Hmm, if I'm looking straight ahead, it's about five inches above the laptop monitor in spite of the fact that it is on a raised platform. Maybe I need to change that despite the fact I don't have neck problems,
But I do have a bit of a wrist problem. I've tried one of those gel-filled wrist supporters, but it had a bounce effect I didn't like.
It's been a while, but I saw and for a brace you wore under clothing that wrapped around the neck, shoulders and back and forced you to sit and stand straighter. It was fabric and, I think, that stretchy stuff bandages are made of. Hate it when I can't remember words! Anyway, something like that might help.
When I used to program I added extensions to my mouse and keyboard cables and would sit back 4 or 5 feet in a relaxed position (26" or 30" - can't remember, but it weighed 80 lbs! - Panasonic CRT monitor) and it helped a lot. Wireless sure would have been sweet back then!
Maybe I'll try sitting farther away, which will keep my wrist a bit straighter. Anyway, I still tend to hold two or three fingers up continuously for hours, sometimes. I may have to break down and get something like the above-mentioned product.
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