Lower Back Pain

[Guest Ruben]

For years I have had lower back pain. Recently, the problem has become more severe because, in part, I spend much time each day sitting in front of the computer. I'm addicted to the blogosphere. My doctor has rightly condemned my computer chair and recommends I get a new and better designed one. Trouble is, which one?

 

Today I went to Google and typed in "Computer chair back pain" and got many responses. The newest chair technology seems to invlove a computer chair that is always in motion, adjusting the chair itself automatically to the shifting position of the body in the chair. This constant motion chair is the only way to go, according to my doctor, a chiroprator. The chairs are not inexpensive and generally, as far as I can tell so far, have to be ordered over the internet. I am hesitant to buy a chair I cannot sit in first etc.

 

Questions: Do any of you have experience with this kind of new chair technology? Do you have any brand name chairs to recommend? Do you have any suggestions about what kind of chair to use with a computer, especially where lower back pain is a problem?

 

Ruben

[Guest RandyRon]

Ruben,

 

I don't know if you have tried this yet but I thought I would pass it along. I am also prone to lower back pain and I know the pain killers don't do much for it. However, I've found that period exercises, such as toe touches, side bends, and squats seem to loosen up the back muscles and both gets rid of the pain (after a few sessions) and if I remember to do them regularly, it prevents the pain.

 

Being very frugal, I always try the no-cost remedy first.

 

Good luck. ;-)

[JamesK840]

Many of the expensive chairs can be tried out in various ways, there's often somebody in the area that directly sells them. Also in the LA area there's a chain of stores called 'Relax the Back' that have some specialty chairs.

 

Maybe just a better chair then you have now is all you need, less then $200 at an office supply store, you can try it first and probably return it if you don't like the results after a day or two of use.

[Guest]

Assuming you're not using this chair as an employee of a company, I would advise you to invest a little time and money with a physical therapist knowledgeable in ergonomic assessment, and let him design the optimal work environment for you. You can probably find someone in the yellow pages under "Ergonomic Services" or "Physical/Occupational therapists." If you are an employee, you workers' comp carrier should provide you with a complementary jobsite analysis/ergonomic assessment.

[mansniffing]

RE: Lower Back Pain and VINEGAR

 

Try this for a few days to allow it to kick in: One tablespoon of Apple CIder Vinegar in a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. A side benefit is a good bowel movement.

[seeker630]

I'll second the benefits of back exercises. Years ago, when I was having problems, someone gave me an entire page of exercises for the back. I soon settled on just 3 - all involving lying on the floor with your arms extend back over your head and tensing your abdomen and push your back doww flush against the floor. I do these with my legs extended, then my kenss bent at 45 degrees 9feet still on the floor), and then do crunches. When I do these consistently on a daily basis, I am pain-free.

[bigpeteratlanta]

RE: Lower Back Pain and VINEGAR

 

You didn't state above how much resistance exercise you get a week.

4 days of weight training per week will strengthen your abdominal and back muscles to improve your condition.

Also increase your natural anti-pain endorphorins levels.

[+ friendofsheila]

I second the back exercise recommendation. I do them daily. That and making it a point to move around every 10 minutes or so has made it possible for me to use just one of those "kneeling" chairs or a standard, non-fancy office chair.