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NECK PROBLEMS

Posted: Apr 17, 2016

I have been doing MLS work for donkey's years. I have always had a little "twitch" in my neck but recently it has gotten out of hand. I cannot go to get my hair done or even to the dentist because when I sit down in the chair my head starts to twitch. I cannot even take a drink without my head twitching resulting in me spilling the drink. It is not constant but occurs often enough these days to alarm me. I am thinking it may be from constantly staring at a computer for the last 25 + years. Anyone else have this problem?

;

No - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Did you go to the doctor?

Not Specifically - But...

[ In Reply To ..]
I have plenty of neck and back pain that is directly related to being chained to this chair for so many hours a week over the course of so many years (decades).

I actually had to go to physical therapy because the pain was just intolerable and the exercises really do work to alleviate the neck/back pain. I do them every. single. day. A few times a day actually.

I also used my tax return $ last month to get a stand-up desk and absolutely love it. Wished I would have been able to get one a long time ago as my chiropractor has been recommending that I get one for years at this point but I've not been able to pull it off until recently. They are pricey, but I imagine you could put together something yourself that resembled a stand-up desk (Google would have ideas, or Pinterest).

I'm not sure if any of these strategies would be helpful for your particular situation, but I would not be at all surprised if it was related to staring at the computer for so many years. I had no idea how hard this line of work would actually be on my body but the effects are cumulative, that is for sure. Good luck in finding a solution that works for you.

Not Specifically... - anonMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Not to hack the original post, but would you mind sharing which brand of stand-up desk you bought? It is something I'm looking to invest in soon.

Stretching exercises have been key for me as well in counteracting the effects that the years sitting have had on me.

Sure! - Varidesk

[ In Reply To ..]
It's called a Varidesk. It came highly recommended by 2 fellow MT friends and a third person in a different line of work but still on the computer all day. I usually alternate sitting/standing every 2 hours and it takes maybe 30 seconds tops to switch it from the sitting to standing position or vice versa. It really has made a big difference for me already with the various aches and pains associated with sitting all day.

Use a foot pedal? - Sorry OP. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I have not been able to find a comfortable solution for foot pedal use.

To OP, sorry about your neck issues. I do hope you find a quick solution.

Problems - Chi-town Lady

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I don't have that, but what I do have is my hands going numb off and on throughout the day. I stop, shake them out, and go on.

Chi-town Lady - anonie

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Sounds like carpal tunnel. That is the way mine were before I had them both operated on.

Anonie - Chi-town Lady

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That's exactly what it is. Sometimes they even wake me up at night. I've had two EMGs. The first one showed mild and the second one showed moderate. Those EMGs really HURT!!!!

I've had neck problems before, and currently - treating one now, that stem from -sm-

[ In Reply To ..]
mousing. Most affected is the triangular scalene/sternocleidomastoid area of my left neck, but it also affects the shoulder as well.

I had a very painful episode of computer neck injury on the job many years ago, and the likely culprit was working on a keyboard that was too high. Lowering it to lap-level helped, but I ended up with 6 weeks of physical and ultrasound therapy, as well as disability.

Since then I've sometimes had it act up if I mouse too much with one hand. The best way to deal with that is to switch the mouse from side to side frequently. Recently too much mousing with the left hand (using right to drink coffee) while surfing the 'net caused it to flare up again. My home treatment has consisted of complete rest for the left arm, using the right only for mousing (AND coffee-drinking!) I stop and do gentle range-of-motion on my neck frequently, and also find "Tiger Balm Neck Rub" to be very effective. (The best was "Flexall 454", but I haven't been able to find it for the last few years... maybe it's off the market?) If it bothers me when I'm trying to sleep, then I take something like Advil, Aleve, or acetaminophen. The "PM" versions of those are also helpful if falling asleep because of the pain is a problem, as they usually contain an antihistamine like diphenhydramine.

My neck was pretty painful on Saturday, so I did the above things for the last 2 days, and this morning it feels almost normal again. However, I plan to give the left side at least a week, and likely more, of "mouse rest", and after that try to be more diligent about switching mousing sides more frequently. I hope you find something to relieve your neck issues!

I don't twitch but my shoulder hurts and ... try this stretching video - susan

[ In Reply To ..]
and my hand (thumb and first finger) goes numb ...
I found this video (a fast 5 minutes/not a lot of talking) helped almost immediately ... if it doesn't help or if it hurts too much ... it may help you pin point what's up ...
at link ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarXlGs3ieA

(I looked at a dozen videos -- this was the most straightforward and least talky)

NECK PROBLEMS - IWANTTOGETOUT

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you all for taking the time to offer me some suggestions.

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