Comments on: Is Your Desk Job Causing Pain and Injury? http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/ A better life through natural health, fitness, and personal development. Fri, 18 May 2012 15:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-16910 Vin Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:20:53 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-16910 Hi Mark, Short of getting a new desk, the only thing I can think of is installing a keyboard tray that slides out and would enable you to position the keyboard closer to you. This should reduce your need for leg room and minimize the need to lean forward to compensate for a lack of it. Hi Mark,

Short of getting a new desk, the only thing I can think of is installing a keyboard tray that slides out and would enable you to position the keyboard closer to you. This should reduce your need for leg room and minimize the need to lean forward to compensate for a lack of it.

]]> By: Craig http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-16837 Craig Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:39:45 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-16837 Thank you for the article. However I still don't know what to do. The desk at my work leaves me with about 10 inches of legroom. This has been causing pain throughout my entire body. My neck, feet, wrists, hands, legs, and low back are all hurting badly because of the complete lack of leg room. The funny part is, I work in a Pain clinic! What should I do? Help! Thank you for the article. However I still don’t know what to do. The desk at my work leaves me with about 10 inches of legroom. This has been causing pain throughout my entire body. My neck, feet, wrists, hands, legs, and low back are all hurting badly because of the complete lack of leg room. The funny part is, I work in a Pain clinic! What should I do? Help!

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-357 Vin Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:18:34 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-357 Hi Cris, Thanks for sharing your experience! I've never tried an adjustable desk, but in my experience, sitting on an exercise ball definitely helps in maintaining good posture. I love the idea of the break software! Hi Cris,

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’ve never tried an adjustable desk, but in my experience, sitting on an exercise ball definitely helps in maintaining good posture. I love the idea of the break software!

]]> By: Cris P http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-355 Cris P Sun, 22 Mar 2009 08:58:03 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-355 Good article. I work on a computer all day too and the adjustable desk (sitting to standing) really helped me get over the hump after a few accidents. Another thing I see becoming more popular is to sit on the big exercise balls. Finally, installing "break reminder" software that forcibly locks your computer so you have to get up and stretch helps a lot too. Thanks! Good article. I work on a computer all day too and the adjustable desk (sitting to standing) really helped me get over the hump after a few accidents. Another thing I see becoming more popular is to sit on the big exercise balls.

Finally, installing “break reminder” software that forcibly locks your computer so you have to get up and stretch helps a lot too. Thanks!

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-324 Vin Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:51:05 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-324 Hi Glenn, Yes, a desk that is too high or low can be a significant problem. I didn't know it was possible to buy an adjustable desk. Thanks for pointing that out! I've never heard of a Wacom tablet either. I just looked it up and it's quite interesting! Another thing I found helpful that I forgot to mention in the article is using the mouse with your non dominant hand. As an avid tennis player and a frequent computer user, I was frequently having problems with the right side of my upper back. Although it took a little while to adjust, switching the mouse to my left hand has made a huge difference. Thanks again for all the great tips! Hi Glenn,

Yes, a desk that is too high or low can be a significant problem. I didn’t know it was possible to buy an adjustable desk. Thanks for pointing that out!

I’ve never heard of a Wacom tablet either. I just looked it up and it’s quite interesting!

Another thing I found helpful that I forgot to mention in the article is using the mouse with your non dominant hand. As an avid tennis player and a frequent computer user, I was frequently having problems with the right side of my upper back. Although it took a little while to adjust, switching the mouse to my left hand has made a huge difference.

Thanks again for all the great tips!

]]> By: Glenn http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-323 Glenn Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:36:41 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-323 I'm surprised you didn't mention getting an adjustable-height desk. I can't recommend height-adjustable desks highly enough. I finally got one from a company called GeekDesk (which sells a frame for them that's less than $650), and it has REALLY helped my back/neck/shoulder issues, being able to switch easily from sitting to standing. Also helpful: A VERY adjustable chair, preferably with a headrest. I also swap out a kneeling chair once in a while. (All in addition to standing part-time, of course). A Wacom tablet -- "mousing" is a hight-dexterity task, but our arms and shoulders are not designed for that degree of fine motor skill. Stylus/tablet setup puts it back to the hand and fingers, which reduces stress. Dictation software -- Not perfect, but good enough now to save lots of typing effort. Naturally Speaking is my favorite. Most "ergonomic" recommendations are "fixed," and I like that you point out here "Even with perfect posture, it’s important to give yourself a rest from being in the same position." Problem is I think most folks don't take the break (I sure didn't)... which is where the adjustable desk is worth its weight in gold. Anyway, those are some things I've found helpful. Nice post. I’m surprised you didn’t mention getting an adjustable-height desk. I can’t recommend height-adjustable desks highly enough. I finally got one from a company called GeekDesk (which sells a frame for them that’s less than $650), and it has REALLY helped my back/neck/shoulder issues, being able to switch
easily from sitting to standing.

Also helpful:

A VERY adjustable chair, preferably with a headrest. I also swap out a kneeling chair once in a while. (All in addition to standing part-time, of course).

A Wacom tablet — “mousing” is a hight-dexterity task, but our arms and shoulders are not designed for that degree of fine motor skill. Stylus/tablet setup puts it back to the hand and fingers, which reduces stress.

Dictation software — Not perfect, but good enough now to save lots of typing effort. Naturally Speaking is my favorite.

Most “ergonomic” recommendations are “fixed,” and I like that you point out here “Even with perfect posture, it’s important to give yourself a rest from being in the same position.” Problem is I think most folks don’t take the break (I sure didn’t)… which is where the adjustable desk is worth its weight in gold.

Anyway, those are some things I’ve found helpful. Nice post.

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-261 Vin Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:08:26 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-261 Welcome Jeff! I'm glad you found the site, I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any questions. Welcome Jeff!

I’m glad you found the site, I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any questions.

]]> By: Jeff Atkinson http://naturalbias.com/is-your-desk-job-causing-pain-and-injury/#comment-260 Jeff Atkinson Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:40:44 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=3203#comment-260 Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days. Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days.

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