Watch your backs

F

firehawk

Veteran
I wanted to share something that might help you guys that I wish I knew 25 years ago. Like some of you, it's not uncommon that one day I might be lifting heavy gear and on my feet for a long time. Then I might be sitting in a chair working post for 16+ hours a day for a number of days. Repeat repeat. I learned the hard way that this is horrible for your lower back and puts tremendous pressure on your lower discs which can bulge out/ rupture. I nearly crippled myself but have largely recovered. Not fun. But now I have trouble sitting unless I use firm cushions pressing against my back, or use certain chairs. I also can't power lift heavy loads like I used to without risk of serious permanent results.

So I wanted to share this with you guys to watch your backs before you make the same mistake. Perhaps a standing desk would be good, but standing in one place seems to cause problems for me.
The key seems to be keeping something stiff against your lower back so it cannot bend out, which puts pressure on the discs trying to bulge out the material between them. So as long as I keep the stiff cushions in my office chair I can still work on computers for long periods of time. Vehicle seats are hit and miss. My old Oldsmobile sits fine with no problems. My friends Ram causes me much trouble. My Firehawk is fine. My Buick needs a cushion. Your mileage may vary.
Hope that helps. We only have one back
 
I'm 50 and, knock on wood, haven't had any serious back issues like most of my friends. The last time I hurt my back I was half bent over and sneezed. Couldn't stand upright for a couple days, but got over that in about a month and it's been fine since. I sit in a chair 10+ hours a day in post. Getting a good chair with proper lumbar support is key. No two people are the same but if you're going to live in a chair, shop around and make sure it's a good one. Sometimes you won't know for weeks. I once got a super padded, expensive manager chair for big and tall people that was really comfortable. After a few months or so, my lower back started aching all the time. I at first didn't connect it to the new chair and tried a bunch of stuff, then finally swapped out the chair and that ache went away. I've settled on gaming chairs with adjustable lumbar support and those seem to be keeping my back in great shape, and they're usually pretty durable.
 
Sorry to hear that. I'm over 50 myself and had a bad injury in December. Pulling an equipment cart through a door way with my arm twisted behind me I tore my rotator cuff. I didn't realize what it was so I ignored it until it got so bad I could barely do the most basic tasks. I couldn't lift my arm above my waist. I was in pain and immobile for 3 months. After 5 months of physical therapy I'm luckily back to normal. Could be like you working many hours at a computer then lugging heavy equipment is recipe for injury.
 
Batutta said:
Getting a good chair with proper lumbar support is key.
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This is what I can't figure out about airline seats. MF! I hate American Airlines. If I didn't literally have almost one million miles with them, I would pray for their bankruptcy. Their seats are worse than sitting on aluminum bleachers with no backs. The seat backs are concave and there is next to zero cushioning on the back or bottom. Half the time I end up taking my neck pillow and putting it behind me for lumbar support.
 
I really try to be aware of avoiding the 'computer hunch' but it is tough. I am also guilty of trying to make it in one trip all of the time. It seems trying not to be stupid requires constant attention :)
 
It seemed expensive at the time, but bought a $1400 Herman Miller Aeron office chair four years ago and I'm glad I did. It's super comfortable, adjustable in a hundred ways, and still works and looks as good new. I liked it so much I got one for my wife's office too,
 
Worked as a package sorter for UPS for four years in college. You take a box from the left and then heave it onto one of many belts on the right. Over and over. I went to the Men's Warehouse to get fitted for my first suit and the salesman puts a jacket on me and says it just doesn't fit right. Turns out my right shoulder was way bigger than my left. They had to stuff an extra shoulder pad in the left side to make it work.
 
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