Correct posture - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

niek · 07-23-2003, 01:53 PM

What the correct posture to use wuen at the computer? I usually try to keep my back straight but It usually stars husting anyway, and I sometimes get numbness, goosebumps in my hands when type for to long, al;so just by using the mouse sometimes. Should I by one of those wrist cusion thing? oh and I remember reading somewhere that your arms should be bent at 90 degrees when at the computer, is this true?

zero2 · 07-23-2003, 05:06 PM

I believe the correct position is feet firmly planted on the floor back straight, and arms at a 90 degree angle, your hands should be low but not resting on the table.

Make sure that your arms come up above the table not below it. I would suggest getting a adjustable chair, and taking a break from the computer when you start to get numb.

johnnymysto · 07-24-2003, 09:33 AM

I recently started going to a chiropractor, and I told him I was having the same problem - I try to maintain correct posture at the computer, but my back starts hurting after a while. He told me it's because the muscles that keep my back straight are weak, and they need to get stronger. Just maintain it as long as it's comfortable. Also, make sure you get up and move around at least once an hour. You don't want to maintain the shape of the chair. He gave me some exercises to do that strengthen the muscles in your back, neck, and shoulders. I can tell you some if you like. They are working for me.

clavus · 07-24-2003, 02:04 PM

Hey! Finally something I know something about - back pain!! OK a couple of tips:

Sit on the front edge of your chair. Way out in front. The tops of your femurs (big leg bones) should JUST be on the chair. This will force you into a good posture.

Ask your chiropractor for a wedge pillow to sit on. Its a cheap chunk of foam that you set on the chair and sit on. It helps force you into good posture.

Bonus tip: be good to your neck. DO NOT pinch the phone between your shoulder and ear while you bang away on the PC. DO get a good pillow. I have one thats shaped like a wedge with a trench dug across it. The trench holds my head, and the rest of the pillow supports my neck. It helps A LOT.

Final tip - Try a different mouse. I use a WACOM tablet as much as I can. That eliminates the wrist numbness.

Best o' luck

niek · 07-24-2003, 02:46 PM

thanks alot, I'll look into that

Ashton · 07-25-2003, 03:22 AM

You want to know the trick to sitting at your desk for hours without a sore back? It's easy..... first of all you need a nice comfortable chair, I have a high back executive chair..... next and most important is a step, when you sit upright you are using your lower back for support...... when you sit back your are using your legs and lower back to keep the chair back..... hours of this will kill your lower back, I have a step made of 3/4 inch plyboard about 8 inches high and 7 inches deep covered with the same carpet that's on the floor...... I removed the crappy keyboard drawer so I can slide my chair into the well until my belly touches the edge of the desk, I place my feet on the step (located at the very back of the well) and can sit for hours in total comfort..... having your feet up on the step takes the stress off your lower back..... you are no longer using your lower back to keep the chair tilted back. This step combined with a small rectangular pillow to fill the gap between your lower back and the chair makes for a totally comfortable setup...... of course a large deep desk is a must, I suppose the step would help with a shallow desk..... but with a nice deep desk you have room to cross your legs and move around, another plus when you sit at a desk for hours.

/good advice coming from someone that spends hours sitting behind a desk......

Munku · 07-28-2003, 08:57 PM

Oh man perfect timing! I have a mouspad, that's got all this info about sitting right on it! Oh man lemme see if I can scan it in!

laxman18 · 07-31-2003, 08:44 AM

hahah, i just adjusted my posture while reading thism, thanks for posting this

cetacean · 07-31-2003, 04:10 PM

I was slouching for a while at work, and it felt like I broke my tailbone after a while! Now that I sit up, it seems to be better.

07-23-2003, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
niek Banned	Correct posture What the correct posture to use wuen at the computer? I usually try to keep my back straight but It usually stars husting anyway, and I sometimes get numbness, goosebumps in my hands when type for to long, al;so just by using the mouse sometimes. Should I by one of those wrist cusion thing? oh and I remember reading somewhere that your arms should be bent at 90 degrees when at the computer, is this true?

07-24-2003, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnnymysto Overreactor Location: South Ca'lina	I recently started going to a chiropractor, and I told him I was having the same problem - I try to maintain correct posture at the computer, but my back starts hurting after a while. He told me it's because the muscles that keep my back straight are weak, and they need to get stronger. Just maintain it as long as it's comfortable. Also, make sure you get up and move around at least once an hour. You don't want to maintain the shape of the chair. He gave me some exercises to do that strengthen the muscles in your back, neck, and shoulders. I can tell you some if you like. They are working for me. __________________ "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request." - Capt. Barbossa

07-24-2003, 02:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Hey! Finally something I know something about - back pain!! OK a couple of tips: Sit on the front edge of your chair. Way out in front. The tops of your femurs (big leg bones) should JUST be on the chair. This will force you into a good posture. Ask your chiropractor for a wedge pillow to sit on. Its a cheap chunk of foam that you set on the chair and sit on. It helps force you into good posture. Bonus tip: be good to your neck. DO NOT pinch the phone between your shoulder and ear while you bang away on the PC. DO get a good pillow. I have one thats shaped like a wedge with a trench dug across it. The trench holds my head, and the rest of the pillow supports my neck. It helps A LOT. Final tip - Try a different mouse. I use a WACOM tablet as much as I can. That eliminates the wrist numbness. Best o' luck __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

07-25-2003, 03:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ashton PORNHOUND Location: California	You want to know the trick to sitting at your desk for hours without a sore back? It's easy..... first of all you need a nice comfortable chair, I have a high back executive chair..... next and most important is a step, when you sit upright you are using your lower back for support...... when you sit back your are using your legs and lower back to keep the chair back..... hours of this will kill your lower back, I have a step made of 3/4 inch plyboard about 8 inches high and 7 inches deep covered with the same carpet that's on the floor...... I removed the crappy keyboard drawer so I can slide my chair into the well until my belly touches the edge of the desk, I place my feet on the step (located at the very back of the well) and can sit for hours in total comfort..... having your feet up on the step takes the stress off your lower back..... you are no longer using your lower back to keep the chair tilted back. This step combined with a small rectangular pillow to fill the gap between your lower back and the chair makes for a totally comfortable setup...... of course a large deep desk is a must, I suppose the step would help with a shallow desk..... but with a nice deep desk you have room to cross your legs and move around, another plus when you sit at a desk for hours. /good advice coming from someone that spends hours sitting behind a desk...... Last edited by Ashton; 07-25-2003 at 03:30 AM..

07-23-2003, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
zero2 Junkie	I believe the correct position is feet firmly planted on the floor back straight, and arms at a 90 degree angle, your hands should be low but not resting on the table. Make sure that your arms come up above the table not below it. I would suggest getting a adjustable chair, and taking a break from the computer when you start to get numb.

07-24-2003, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
niek Banned	thanks alot, I'll look into that

07-28-2003, 08:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Munku Lost Location: Florida	Oh man perfect timing! I have a mouspad, that's got all this info about sitting right on it! Oh man lemme see if I can scan it in!

07-31-2003, 08:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
laxman18 Tilted	hahah, i just adjusted my posture while reading thism, thanks for posting this

07-31-2003, 04:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
cetacean Insane Location: New York, NY	I was slouching for a while at work, and it felt like I broke my tailbone after a while! Now that I sit up, it seems to be better.