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Poll: How do you maintain good posture and take care of your back while working at the computer?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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Aug 1

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you maintain good posture and take care of your back while working at the computer?".

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Peter Simon
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 03:41
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other (a combination) Aug 1

I use an ergonomic chair with a support pillow, the height of my keyboard and screen are adjusted, as well as my lamps, I take regular breaks to stretch my legs and I do physio once a week…

Philip Lees
Peter Simon
Maria Elisa Garcia
Kay Denney
 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Germany
Local time: 04:41
Member (2020)
English to German
+ ...
Several Aug 2

- I use an ergonomic chair, and yes, 10 years ago, I would have laughed in the face of anyone suggesting that I would end up spending so much money on a chair someday.
- I take regular breaks to stretch and move around.
- I have adjusted the height of my monitor and keyboard.


Philip Lees
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Angie Garbarino
Peter Simon
Kay Denney
 
Mixing it up and praying Aug 2

Standing, sitting, lying, interspersed with walking, cycling, pottering, stretching, gym etc.

There’s no such thing as an ergonomic position or good posture. We aren’t designed to be in one position endlessly.

My back is a disaster zone which requires constant management. If I’d chosen a career in the public sector when younger, I’d doubtless have retired on a disability pension years ago. But that’s not an option for a freelancer, so I’ve just had to work a
... See more
Standing, sitting, lying, interspersed with walking, cycling, pottering, stretching, gym etc.

There’s no such thing as an ergonomic position or good posture. We aren’t designed to be in one position endlessly.

My back is a disaster zone which requires constant management. If I’d chosen a career in the public sector when younger, I’d doubtless have retired on a disability pension years ago. But that’s not an option for a freelancer, so I’ve just had to work around it, and on balance I think that’s a good thing.

PS When I do sit at my desk, it’s on a £10 Swiss ball (exercise ball). Some say it’s bad to be constantly adjusting, but it works for me.

[Edited at 2024-08-02 07:22 GMT]
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Angie Garbarino
expressisverbis
Peter Simon
Dan Lucas
Kay Denney
 
Andrus Lauringson
Andrus Lauringson  Identity Verified
Estonia
Local time: 05:41
Member (2022)
English to Estonian
Test what works for you Aug 2

I don’t use an ergonomic chair etc, but everything has to be at the exactly right level – chair, desk and screen. I use books, pillows, etc., if necessary. If anything is a bit high or low, I get back/neck/wrist pain and just generally work slower.

 
Gitte Hovedskov (X)
Gitte Hovedskov (X)
Denmark
Local time: 04:41
English to Danish
+ ...
I don't Aug 2

Basically that simple... I forget and pay the price for that...

Josephine Cassar
Chris Says Bye
Angie Garbarino
Thomas Pfann
 
Philippe Etienne
Philippe Etienne  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 04:41
Member
English to French
Outstanding biological machine taking care of everything Aug 2

I do sit on a gamer's chair, but I've also been weighing a similar lean weight for 40 years. Less strain on everything due to unnecessary weight probably helps. I was lucky enough in my youth not to fall into bad eating habits like junk food, constant snacking, sweets and sodas, which I drink only with spirits. What's not in doesn't need to go out.
The other side of the coin is that all the fat I ingest and don't burn seems to end up in my bloodstream instead of between muscle and skin.... See more
I do sit on a gamer's chair, but I've also been weighing a similar lean weight for 40 years. Less strain on everything due to unnecessary weight probably helps. I was lucky enough in my youth not to fall into bad eating habits like junk food, constant snacking, sweets and sodas, which I drink only with spirits. What's not in doesn't need to go out.
The other side of the coin is that all the fat I ingest and don't burn seems to end up in my bloodstream instead of between muscle and skin.

Philippe
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Anton Konashenok
Rachel Waddington
 
Antonio Leggieri
Antonio Leggieri
Italy
Local time: 04:41
Member (2017)
Chinese to Italian
+ ...
How about a standing desk? Aug 2

I've been thinking about getting a standing desk, however I do not know whether anyone has experience with that.

John Fossey
Melanie Meyer
 
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:41
English to Italian
All of them! Aug 2

Plus Pilates and standing desk.

John Fossey
Melanie Meyer
 
Liena Vijupe
Liena Vijupe  Identity Verified
Latvia
Local time: 05:41
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
+ ...
Exercise Aug 2

I guess gym/pilates/bodyart every day + dancing, skating and swimming helps (as well as doing at least some of that more or less regularly for 30 years). Never had an ergonomic chair or any other special arrangements and doing fine so far, but I also hardly ever stay at my desk for more than 4-5 hours in a row. That's when I know it's time to move my body and work will have to wait until I am back (my eyes love it too).

Josephine Cassar
 
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 04:41
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
A bit of this, a bit of that Aug 2

I do use an ergonomic chair I picked up second hand years ago. It discourages slumping, but slumping is still very much possible, so I also take short breaks and make sure I get plenty of exercise outside working hours.

I would love a standing desk but I find them very expensive and am dreading the hassle it would give. Plus, my current desk used to be my grandmother's and I like it very much.


 
John Fossey
John Fossey  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 22:41
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
Switching around Aug 2

Having Parkinsons makes it a real challenge to stay comfortable while working. I seem to have found a balance by having two different ergonomic chairs which I switch around during the day, and an electric sit-stand desk. Plus a great light (Amazon B09JKSVQBC) that lights my desk with no glare and no light on the monitor screen. Yes, these items are expensive, but they're business costs.

[Edited at 2024-08-02 17:26 GMT]


Kay Denney
 
Angie Garbarino
Angie Garbarino  Identity Verified
Local time: 04:41
Member (2003)
French to Italian
+ ...
Me too Aug 2

Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL wrote:

Plus Pilates and standing desk.


Pilates


 
IrinaN
IrinaN
United States
Local time: 21:41
English to Russian
+ ...
Ergonomic chair from the start Aug 5

When it became obvious and secured by the contract that at least for the nearest 3-5 years I'll be glued to my computer, and after the first couple of weeks on a cheap regular chair I got it, George:-), and never settled for anything less.

Those were the times 30 years ago, when I was just 37 and could afford only a plastic patio table and 4 plastic chairs ($24 total in 1993 prices), for kitchen furniture, but I blew a substantial part of my savings at the time, a whooping 180 doll
... See more
When it became obvious and secured by the contract that at least for the nearest 3-5 years I'll be glued to my computer, and after the first couple of weeks on a cheap regular chair I got it, George:-), and never settled for anything less.

Those were the times 30 years ago, when I was just 37 and could afford only a plastic patio table and 4 plastic chairs ($24 total in 1993 prices), for kitchen furniture, but I blew a substantial part of my savings at the time, a whooping 180 dollars, on my first, but not last ergonomic chair and never had any back problems since. My workplace on site has even more luxurious ergonomic chairs. I'm not athletic at all, hate gyms but love to walk and swim when I have a chance.

[Edited at 2024-08-05 12:36 GMT]
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Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:41
Dutch to English
+ ...
I don't really Aug 5

I don't think my posture is great, and I spend far too long at my computer, but my back seems to be OK so far.

I do walk for 1-2 hours a day (and dance as a hobby) and I think that's probably the only reason my body is not completely wrecked.

I also try not to overwork, maintain a good work/life balance and eat a healthy diet.


Kay Denney
 
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Poll: How do you maintain good posture and take care of your back while working at the computer?






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