Pain writing?

Mine does that, too, if I'm sitting wrong. The way you sit makes a huge difference with that kind of thing. When it happens again, make note of how you're sitting. Try sitting in different positions and...well...idk. Invest in a better chair? How high/low is your computer screen? Try it at different levels. Those are what can think of. I'm no expert on that kind of thing.

Your eyes and your computer screen should be on roughly the same level. If you're sitting too high and you're looking down at the screen, it'll cause pain in your neck. Same if you're sitting too low. Somebody explained it to me a few months ago and I'm sure glad he did, since I had the same problem and it's gone now.

althrasher said:

OK, this might seem completely random, but it's becoming a big problem. Any time I spend an extended amount of time on the computer, the spot where my neck sort of meets my back gets really sore.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, is there any way I can fix it?

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I do. The other suggestions are good. I've been doing yoga in the mornings and evenings and it's really helping.

Like the others said, change your posture/seating/etc. until you find the right fit. Weirdly, I've found that sitting on the sofa with a couple pillows behind my back and my laptop on a lap desk is better for my back than my ergonomic desk chair.

My advice, STOP SLOUCHING!

Devil Ledbetter said:

I do. The other suggestions are good. I've been doing yoga in the mornings and evenings and it's really helping.

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I tried yoga. It hurt more than the original pain.

Is your keyboard and mouse low enough? Back when I was married, we had a computer desk that required the mouse to be used at an awkward height. The children and I all suffered pain from it, but my husband would not fix it, as it was comfortable to him (he was much taller) and he would not believe that holding an arm up high could cause neck strain.

Now I have a teeny tiny laptop DUN hacked to my cell phone for internet, and I can constantly adjust the angle of my arms and where I sit. No more pain, unless I'm too stupid too move around

SCIENCE!!

(I love science.)

I wanna get me one of these:

I want a personal back rub every day. My neck almost always hurts.

I don't really have any pain, except for my lower back (but that's b/c of the shitty chair). However, my eyes are going batty from staring at the pc monitor lately. I should eat some more carrots. yum yum

I can not sit with my feet flat on the floor. Yes, I know that's the proper position. If I did that I'd have to reach too far to use the keyboard and mouse. Besides, my feet are rarely on the floor unless I'm walking. I have found that since I've had my laptop I can write for longer periods of time without it bothering my fingers, hands and wrists.

Definitely adjust the way you sit so that you're sitting with good posture. Hunched shoulders and neck thrust forward, turtle-style, cause the wrong muscles and tendons to tighten and also restrict blood flow, which can lead to migraines. Basically, sit like there is an invisible string from the top of your head to the ceiling, pulling you straight.

Yoga and pilates really help with postural problems. For someone like SF who got more pain from the yoga than was usual...I'd try a different class with a different instructor. Not all instructors are created equal. Also, whenever something like yoga makes me have the wrong kind of pain, either I'm doing the exercises wrong or I'm doing something I shouldn't yet, like exercises that strain my arms when I'm still suffering from tendinitis in my arms.

Shadow_Ferret said:

My advice, STOP SLOUCHING!

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This is my problem and I know it. I slouch and I usually don't realize it until I feel like my neck is breaking in half. Booze seems to make the pain go away.

You must suffer for your art!

Ahem... no really. I used to have this problem quite a lot. Now it's my shoulders. Just keep trying these great suggestions until something works.

A big exercise ball makes a good alternative computer chair. Don't use it all the time, but switch it out with your regular chair for a while each day. It's a fun way to sit.

I have a lot of problems with my neck and am in constant pain. My day job involves working on a computer all day and because I am temping at the moment, I don't get the chair-desk-monitor height thing right. I also find that the ideal sitting position is very difficult to achieve. I think I'm just built funny!

Lots of good ideas here. Height of the monitor is a big problem. I get pain right at the back of my neck because I can't make my monitor low enough. Also, are you sitting where you're looking straight at the monitor or is your head turned to one side or the other? I've found that if my head isn't straight on, it also causes neck pain. And if your mouse is too far away you can get pain shooting up to your shoulder and into your neck. And, yes, move around a lot. If you can't change the height of your monitor or move your mouse closer (my current problem), get up & walk around, or at least change your position, maybe take a bathroom or drink break (not alcohol while you're working, though!) every hour or so you, that should also help avoid pain. Try stretching every hour. If you really can't leave your chair (or sofa, or whatever) try circling your head around in each direction ten times. This is the biggest help for me. If my shoulders start hurting, I'll raise my arms up over my head, clap my hands, then lower my arms ten times. You can also lift your legs ten times, too, if you get cramps. You do know how to touch type, don't you? I would think that maybe if you don't touch type looking down at the keyboard for the correct letters would cause neck pain, so learn to touch type if you don't already touch type.

And whoever it is who has the Gracie Slick avatar: ALL RIGHT, YOU ROCK! Surrealistic Pillow is STILL my all-time favorite album and the first one I bought on CD (had to special order it and wait nearly a month). I'm actually listening to "Today" right now)

Sounds like your screen is at the wrong height for eye contact. Also not moving for exended periods can aggrevate all sorts of things. Move around 5 min out of every hour, 10 would be better. Aspercreme or Bengay rub helps too.

Right now I have pain when writing but that's because I currently have nine stitches in my hand. Hint - if you're ever holding a coffee mug and fall down, drop the *()&*) mug and let it break. Don't try to save it.

I'd try pilates, there are several really good exercises for neck and shoulder pain, (really, I tried them and they made a difference after only one session) and you don't even have to go to a class, you can get them on DVD.

If you're getting problems with your wrists and arms, there's a basic Tai Chi move where you hold your arms straight out in front of you, with the elbows locked, and hands tilted up with the first two fingers extended upwards. Move the arms slowly, keeping them straight and keeping the hands/fingers angled upwards, out to the side and back again. You'll feel your tendons stretch! But it's excellent for helping with RSI.

There are some online exercises that might help too: http://www.expertvillage.com/video/11341_yoga-office-shoulder-one.htm

This is why I won't get a laptop computer. A throw pillow behind the lower back helps sometimes.