Inspiring

Question

Developing burning an painful feeling at the back and base of the neck.

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
November 1, 2013
3 replies
53647 views

Would this be a fair and relevant topic for the Video lounge?

I thought so because I'm sure many of you spent more time than I do in front of your screen/s doing work or trying to fix things. I wonder how many of you have this problem.

I'm about 50cm from my two 19" screens, my chair is set at its lowest my eyes are level with the top 1/4 of the screen when I sit straight (This is not the best but the screens are touching the top of my desk unit so can't go any higher

A mate of mine told me to put 4 bricks, one on each corner of my desk!

I will have to do more than talking about it, but sometimes sharing situations brings positive results from others' experience.

This topic has been closed for replies.

_

_r_Evolution

Participating Frequently

Bulging Disc/Pinched Nerve at L5/S1:

I have 2 Herman Miller Aeron chair's and although they impress people that know their price, they are no more special than any other chair. I've never tried a Kneeling Chair but they look & sound promising, as I often get out of my chair and kneel on my knees before my desk, alternating each leg up after a bit. Also, I sometimes use one of the BIG Excercise Balls as a chair. My physical therapist says this makes you utilize your core muscles throughout your back to keep you stabile and upright. My eyes are Mid to Top of my Monitors with my chair all the way up. While I edit I must remember to lower/raise my chair, push my butt out, stand up and stretch, take a break, etc. Varying my position throughout the day seems to be what works best for me.

Our bodies are different so the key is to excercise the correct posture(s) and desk setup(s) for YOU.

Steven L. Gotz

Inspiring

I am still considering using a standing desk. It would not fit the decor of the room though, and until we move back to a place where the houses are bigger and I can have a room I do not have to share, that probably has to be sidelined.

I am currently experimenting with my eyes just above the middle line of the monitors. Much to my surprise, it seems to be working quite nicely. I need a new chair to raise me up a bit higher, but when I get it, I may find that I have become used to sitting a bit low.

I am also sitting closer to the monitors that I ever have before by about 5 inches. That is proving interesting. I am not sure if I will continue to do that.

We'll see.

Now that I have a Smart TV, I find myself marking YouTube videos, mostly photography tutorials, to watch later, and then I go into the other room and watch them from my easy chair on the big TV. So I am not passively watching videos much anymore, just actively working. That seems to make a difference, and cuts back on the time I am in the chair anyway.

artofzootography.com

MichelmnrAuthor

Inspiring

I just got an email about one more addition to this thread, and can see a few people were interested. In my own experience since I raised the screens and am looking a little up I could report some benefit but I would be lying! As the benefit is only due to very little work at this desk! And I realise that many of you can't afford to disregard the office until it gets better.

But really I don't think my new postion has improved anything at all, as I feel some stress at the back of my neck. I have a new pair of glasses set for the computer and so focussed a little further than my reading glasses but some how I feel the need to get closer to the screen! My chair is one of those suposed to be for best comfort...I find it only ok. I guess the best advice I was reminded of was to have a break now and then instead to be glued to the chair!

Steven L. Gotz

Inspiring

The problem is that there are conflicting opinions that indicate you should do what feels right for you. I have my eyes at about the top of the monitors.

http://www.healthycomputing.com/office/setup/monitor/

My problem is that I keep moving closer to the monitors without thinking about it, which puts my neck in a bad position.

artofzootography.com

B

Biggles Lamb

Participating Frequently

500mm, if you get any closer you will be making out with your monitors, you are working way too close.

Re-configure your workstation until you are at least 800mm > 1m away.

Another thing people who work at a PC/Mac workstation do that is extreemely bad for them is that they spend hours in the same position.

Work no more than 30 minutes, then stand up and stretch, shoulder rotations, neck flexes, head rolls, arm stretches, walking on the spot, it will only take 30 seconds then back to work if you must, but longer is better.

When working take off your shoes/trainers and keep flexing toes and ankle joints (for those with a foot odour problem do spray your feet prior soyou consider the guys in the near workstations)

No job is worth killing or injuring yourself for, living is a one chance deal.

Col

OldBob1957

Inspiring

Having worked with computers for (ohmygosh!) forty-plus years now, I have had multiple physical therapists repeatedly tell me that one's eye-level should be at, or better slightly below, the mid-line of the screen. This keeps the head level, or canted slightyl upwards. Either of which are a better spinal position for the neck than looking downwards -- which can lead to nerve compression and other issues.

Failing any other solution -- or even just for the interim, the four-brick suspension system is one solution. And in fact, it doesn't have to be anything as unsightly as bricks. Check the local furniture and bedding stores. Most will have bed-raisers like the ones pictured below.

Good luck, and take care of that neck!

--OB

E

excited_Genie16B8

Legend

I have had multiple physical therapists repeatedly tell me that one's eye-level should be at, or better slightly below, the mid-line of the screen.

That's crazy. Viewing is much more comfortable with the top of the screen at or below eye level. That's the primary reason all theaters these days are stadium, to keep you looking straight or slightly down, instead of up at the screen. It's also why many computer desks have a cutout where the screen goes so you can lower it.

Looking up is a strain over long periods. Just try working a studio camera for 8 hours. Ugh!!!

MichelmnrAuthor

Inspiring

Wow! I quite liked the first reply and demolished the top of my pc desk, propped up the two screen 14 cm, and was rejoicing at the success, but wondering how I'm going fix the appearance of my desk with sides but no top shelves anymore.

Then I came back to the forum and saw the other answers! So not everyone agrees with the slightly looking up at the monitor for best result?

My neighbour, an engineer and a person who reads a lot of technical reviews (into photography) also told me the latest thinking on this subject from what he read was "to have to look slightly up".

Well I'll give this a trial, but will also add the 800mm from the screens if I can.

This will be another challenge as I think my reading glasses will then have the wrong adjustment!

...Last year I was advised to get long distance glasses for driving in addition to my new reading glasses. (one of these deals 2 pairs for the price of one) and reallly did not use them much, certainly far away writing was a lot clearer with them but most of the time I felt they were more of a nuisance. Well I just tried them and they do improve my screen reading past 800mm!

This is turning out to be a comedy of errors...Now my arms are too short to reach the k board )))

I'm going back to work!

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