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Pain in the ... neck

Posted: Dec 17, 2009

I've been MTing for about 7+ months now. I've been getting a lot of stiffness in my neck. I wear a Philadelphia collar now. What's going on!!?? I work 6 hours a day. I'm only 22 so I don't think it arthritis.

;

pain - how about

[ In Reply To ..]
what kind of chair do you have? What is your posture like? How are your fingers positioned on the keyboard?

I have a high back chair so when I lean back my head is resting on the back of it and put a small pillow behind my neck. If you are just using a secetarial type chair, you are putting more pressure on your neck to stay in a good position. Can get this high back (executive chair) at Walmart or even office depot and they are really not too expensive. Mine was under $100 and you are worth it to have a good chair. Also try putting the foot you are not using for the pedal up on something a little higher than the other one. Just a book you are not using or something. That will take the pressure off the back, which believe me, causes the pressure in the neck.

I used to hold my hands in such a way my shoulders were kind of hunched up and almost close to my ears and I was not even aware of it. And I had major neck problems.

Are you getting up and taking some breaks (yes we are busy, but need to take a break and move from your chair)even for a minute to walk around the room every hour, that is what my chiro told me I had to do.

A lot of things could contribute to the neck problem, and believe it or not the position has a lot to do with it.

If you start with head/neck problems this early, you could be in some real trouble soon. I also see a chiro every 3-4 months and that helps, but a good massage now and then would help relax you too.

setup - rmil

[ In Reply To ..]
I read a good article on desk ergonomics due to the same concern you are having. Make sure that you are situated so that looking directly ahead, your eyes are level with the top 1-2 inches of your monitor. That was what I found to be the culprit of my neck pain. Once I adjusted that, it seemed to be ok. Hope that helps!! :)

Great tips above... - elaine

[ In Reply To ..]
Try to become very aware of how you are holding/supporting your body, arms, elbows, wrists, etc.

It's so important to move around. I don't do it enough myself, but it can't be over-emphasized.

Breeana and pain in neck - fatcat

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been MTing for 41 years and have had crippling rheumatoid arthritis since age 12. I have had the advantage of having some excellent orthopedists and PTs to work with. Here are some things that help me: The most important is to get a good chair. I am always amazed when people will spend 5K to have a killer computer system built but then only spent ten bucks for a chair! Some people swear by the Aeron chair. It costs around 1K and is supposed to be the Rolls Royce of chairs. I tried one and did not like it! I then went to Staples and got a really decent office chair for a couple of hundred dollars. It is waaay more comfortable than the Aeron! I also bought a back support pillow from an orthopedic supply company (It was about 35 bucks) to go on the chair and it was great. I make sure I sit no longer than 30 minutes at a time. I get up, walk around, and stretch. Stretching is really important. I took Tai Chi for two years, which probably was the single most important thing I have done for my back. If you have a Walgreens drug near you, they sell this thing called a Bed Buddy (it's not what you think, smile) but rather this thing that looks like a sock with rice in it. You put it in the microwave for two minutes (no longer or you will start a fire) and I wrap it around my neck. You can also put it in the freezer. Finally, I keep a hotpad on my bed and during my coffee breaks, I lie on the warm pad. I find that walking is really helpful. I live in a big city that has the worst weather in the whole world, so in winters it is not possible, but in the summer, if I walk around the block at least once a day, it helps the back pain. Finally, I see a chiropractor once a week. That makes all the difference in the world. And do not lift heavy things and use regular back precautions. When I moved here, I was debating whether I should pack my household things or have the moving company do it. My orthopedist said, "Do it, packing is cheaper than a laminectomy." And he was right. As far as to you not thinking it is arthritis at 22, please do not fall into the trap of thinking arthritis is only a disease of the elderly. Although I am in my sixties now, I was diagnosed at 12 and spend a year in an extended care at age 23. If, after taking all the precautions you can, you still have symptoms, get a proper diagnosis from an M.D. I really pray you do not have any form of arthritis, and doubt that you do, but if you do, it is imperative to great treatment. Welcome to MTing and good luck to you!

Clarification on packing - fatcat

[ In Reply To ..]
Clarification (not enough coffee on board yet!), the orthopedist said to pay the packers--that was cheaper than a lami and he was right. I do not lift heavy things and took a class in back protection so I know how to protect the back. Sounds geeky, but again, it beats a lami. Good luck to you.

Neck - Breeanna

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi! Thanks for the help. I got so bad I had to go to the hospital last night. They are pretty sure I have TMJ... rats!

Anyway, I got some muscle relaxers (bad stuff! knocked me out...) and a narcotic for the pain 'cause it was (is) real bad. Feels like I have electrical shocks in my mandibles when I talk. EEK!

I'm going for a follow up and some tests now. Glad it's not arthritis, but not sure how this is gonna be.

Again, THX!! TTYL!

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