Desk Work Is Wrecking Backs and Hips
Individuals working remotely, particularly in desk-based roles, are experiencing significant physical pain and discomfort due to prolonged sitting and repetitive motions. This pain manifests in various ways, including back pain, hip pain, and musculoskeletal issues, often exacerbated by pre-existing conditions or improper posture. Finding supportive and ergonomic solutions is a priority for these individuals.
SOURCES (60)
“Not that weird? When I injured my back I texted one of our back surgeons and he got me an appt and MRI within a couple days. Def sped things up”
“Hey guys. I was contacted today by a local institution asking what my massage chair corporate prices are. I don't offer them as no one really has asked, as I mainly do mobile table massage sessions. My question to those of you that do offer these services is: what do you charge? Do you do a minimum hourly requirement or charge per person? There wouldn't be a travel fee as this is local. And also, do you make people fill out intake forms or waivers for this? I am based around the N IL sub”
“I’ve got one spot in my upper back that keeps tightening up over and over. Massage and stretching help, but only for a short time. Anyone found something that actually breaks the cycle? submitted by /u/Trigger_Point01 [link] [comments]”
“I have pots and pretty sure eds, though I have not been diagnosed, and my pain has gotten really bad recently. I primarily have pain in my neck/bottom of skull, shoulder blades, lower back/hips, knees, wrists, elbows and ankles.(which now that I look at it is kinda just most of my joints 🙃) I have some ankle, knee, and wrist braces and they help for sure, but I'm trying to find other options to help my other joints both throughout the work day as well as during sleep. When I'm sleeping”
“I start a new senior dev role next week. I use an Hbada X7 at home because the lumbar tracking really helps my back. The new office uses these `rigid stools. Is it considered a red flag to immediately request medical furniture during onboarding. submitted by /u/Technical_Wear8636 [link] [comments]”
“I have a half hour chiro appointment tomorrow, massage the next day and have to work right after how beat up so you think I will be? submitted by /u/dedevil989 [link] [comments]”
“PLEASE anyone with tips for sciatica please drop them I am suffering bad submitted by /u/HippoAggravating3106 [link] [comments]”
“We have now moved into a cheaper studio! My husband apparently has multiple things that have essentially made working incredibly painful for him (spinal stenosis being a big one), but I make enough that I can cover most of our bills now that we aren't paying nearly as much in rent so he can stay home and focus on getting better! Whatever I can't cover, he does with his monthly benefit check with some left over for us to save in case something unexpected pops up. We have enough food now!”
“I know a mattress alone won't fix back pain but I'm curious if PTs recommend certain features when someone wants better spinal alignment during sleep? I've seen everything from medium-firm to extra firm being suggested so I’m now confused. Are there specific things you look for, like support, responsiveness, or how much the mattress lets your hips sink in? Or does it mostly come down to sleeping position and body type? I'm not looking for a diagnosis… just trying to understand wh”
“Hi, I grew up with poor posture and so when I try poses like down dog or dolphin , it's really hard for me to keep my back from "shrimp"-ing over. Any tips or advice on that at all? Thanks! Edit for extra info: I am quite flexible in the hips and back I think, but when in down dog/dolphin/the like, I cannot make my back flat no matter how hard i manually try submitted by /u/ShowLimp4413 [link] [comments]”
“That's the post. Everything cracks. My hips and shoulders don't move like they used to. Exercise hurts. Yeah. That's the post. submitted by /u/itchysnapdragon [link] [comments]”
“Depends on the dimensions you're looking for and the features you want. Flexispot has a few different models. There's also Secret Lab if you want more of a gamer vibe.”
“between meetings, emails, and somehow getting distracted on reddit, i'm sitting way longer than i should i'm looking for a standing desk that's sturdy enough for dual monitors and doesn't wobble every time i type i'd rather hear from people who've been using one every single workday instead of another sponsored review what's been the best standing desk for your home office? submitted by /u/NextScratch7062 [link] [comments]”
“I am looking for recommendations for reclining rockers (as i've seen everyone recommend a reclining chair over one that doesn't), that is preferably affordable and comfortable as a mom who plans to breastfeed. Open to hearing more expensive options as well, as I am also searching secondhand on fb marketplace for any brands that are too expensive. Let me know what I should look for and consider ! Thanks !! submitted by /u/Odd-Satisfaction3081 [link] [comments]”
“I just started with my walking pad last week. Hard to get used to, but every meeting I am not presenting in I get a couple thousand steps in. I watched a few review videos before deciding. Different people will have different needs. I am 6'3" and 250lbs. That's a whole different set of capabilities to consider. (Load limits and stride length.) Mine doesn't fold, and I was bummed to find out they recommended not storing it vertical, but I am lucky enough to be able to switch work”
“I had so much hope for myself when I tried this, but I cannot walk and type at the same time. I almost died a few times. The walking pad is reserved for long meetings and boring training videos now.”
“Hello! Can you guys give me some advice for being more flexible? I'm stretching like crazy everyday, mainly my hips, but it seems like I'm not doing any progress. I am sooo stiff in every part of my body, I want to cry every time I see someone who's more flexible than me 😅🥲 Or do you have some recommendations for a YT channel? Thank you 🩷 submitted by /u/strawberry-cow2 [link] [comments]”
“Hello, I have a horrible ass pain when sitting for and hour or two (for example when travelling). It sometimes feel dumb but also painful. Any suggestion on what could help? And yes, I only gained ~4,5 kilos, so shouldn't be my size) submitted by /u/Comfortable-Plan7062 [link] [comments]”
“Hi! For the life of me I can’t figure out how to keep spine in line and stable when doing alternate arm/leg lifts for mat work. Example, bird dogs. I always jut my supporting hip WAY out of line. I have tried doing it static even with 3 points of contact instead of two and it still happens. At this moment, I am out of shape, and can absolutely blame core strength. But in retrospect, I wasn’t any better when I was very athletic and a regular yoga & Pilates student. Anatomically, if it’s of an”
“Hi, i’m wondering if anyone’s back has been hurting a bit after loading the car at the warehouse. Mine just hurts a bit but I think some workout focused on the back muscles would help. If there’s anyone that has experience with this, let me know! submitted by /u/Vetaivy [link] [comments]”
“what brand (and what model if you know) would you recommond? submitted by /u/Important_Bat7919 [link] [comments]”
“A good chair isn't underrated - it's required. You can buy an excellent used Herman Miller Aeron chair for a couple of hundred dollars from Marketplace. What to me has been underrated is a good lavalier microphone. I have one of those tiny discreet ones. Everyone has complimented on its clean, natural sound. Plus it means I don't have to wear a headset - and that preserves my hearing.”
“This is my nightmare to treat every time. I don't love treating LBP in general, but paired with posterior or posterolateral hip pain is so much worse. I should add that these are typically people with few impairments (great lumbar/thoracic and hip ROM and strong MMTs), and they're uncertain of aggravating and easing factors, which makes my job a lot harder. These people almost always have TTP at the origin of glute med/min and/or the piriformis, and often at the SIJ. They almost never ha”
“I’ve been working at a desk for long hours every day, and lately my shoulders and neck have been feeling extremely tight. By the end of the day, my shoulders feel so stiff that it’s hard to relax. I’ve tried stretching and getting massages, but the relief usually doesn’t last very long. A friend recently mentioned muscle scraping / gua sha as another way to help with tension, but I’ve never tried it before. Has anyone here tried it? Did it actually help, or are there other methods you would reco”
“I have been dealing with upper back tightness from desk work, and I am curious about newer smart cupping devices as a home recovery tool. I know cupping is not a magic fix, and I am not expecting a consumer gadget to replace massage, mobility work, or seeing a professional when something is actually wrong. I came across the Renpho Emberace Cup because it combines suction, heat, and adjustable settings, but I am trying to understand whether that kind of setup adds anything meaningful beyond a tem”
“I’m hoping for some good suggestions to help with a home office makeover necessitated by my health and physical problems. My two biggest issues are an autoimmune disease that will continue to worsen over time and a hip problem that negatively impacts my entire lower left side of my body. Between the two, I am in constant daily pain (particularly in my joints), my mobility is compromised, and I have severe limitations on bad days, noticeable limitations on good days. Besides pain, I deal with ext”
“Hello I have scoliosis and some back issues and I drive about 5 days a week about 1q hour a day for work. The bumps and stuff from my truck hurt my back after awhile. I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions for some good seat cushions that provide support to my back and help me feel less of the bumps. I have seen some that are pretty much full seat but I am curious what some people might suggest. Thank you guys! submitted by /u/Snoo-66206 [link] [comments]”
“Problem Like many people here, I spend long hours at a computer. Over time, I noticed the same issues showing up again and again: • Poor posture • Eye strain • Stiffness • Lack of movement • Forgetting to drink water As someone with a background in Sports Physiology, I wanted a simple way to build healthier desk habits throughout the day without constantly interrupting my workflow. Solution I built Posturio, a Mac app designed specifically for desk workers. It includes: • Posture reminders • Eye”
“hellooo, i always feel really tense in my shoulder and back area and when i have my partner try and massage me he says im super tense and my knots are really big. when i use one of those electric massagers it literally sounds like popping. never gotten professionally massaged before, what type of therapy should i explore? i wanna do deep tissue but im not sure if theres better options submitted by /u/lovecyberia [link] [comments]”
“I have 3 but I have 27” vert 30horizontal then 27v again. Stops the neck strain. Can easily fit 6 windows across those (1 always being emails and reminder)”
“Hi I am an acute care PT with a long commute and have developed what I believe to be one sided ischial bursitis. Had it a month now and hasn’t gotten better even with me trying to avoid sitting at work at all costs. (I now stand and document) I’m planning to purchase a cushion to offload the sit bones for my commutes in the car and wanted to ask fellow PTs what cushions have they seen had success .. specific shape or brand? Donut , square with holes cut out? So many options out there. Not lookin”
“Lots of good ones in here. One I haven't seen mentioned yet: I get to pick out my own desk and chair, which is a big deal to me since I have back issues. I couldn't have a stand-up desk at my old on-site job because the cubicles had these stupid hutches above the desk that no one ever used.”
“36M, desk job, sitting at a computer most of the day. Over the past couple of years I’ve noticed I’m just not as active as I used to be -- more stiffness, lower energy, and some weight creeping up around my midsection. I’m thinking of setting up a small workout corner at home -- nothing fancy, just something simple. I'm in a small 2nd-floor apartment, and my landlord is pretty strict about noise and floor damage so I need to keep things simple. Thinking about adjustable dumbbells and a folda”
“Looking for the best ways to keep my hands good because I am prone to arthritis submitted by /u/anarchydogcom [link] [comments]”
“Hey guys. I'm asking for myself. Part of this is to determine if with urgency I have to look for another job. I've injured my lumbar area somehow. I'm only able to go to urgent care. Any twisting or squatting at all very rapidly intensifies the pain to unsafe levels, and I work in a job where ability to sit/stand/stoop/squat for hours and walk for hours is required. I'm quite concerned about worsening this injury as it has not fully healed. It initially occurred outside of work.”
“Cause this hurts and I need it to stop being so lazy 🫠😭😂 Edit: I know it’s a pinkie finger rest lol, I’m just adding humor to my pain and slack of proper shear ergonomics. submitted by /u/Mere1514 [link] [comments]”
“Hi, everyone !! I’m purchasing this chair for $50 originally it’s around five or 600. It’s super ergonomic and good for people with sciatica. I think it’s a good deal but I really need to clean it and I don’t know how to clean this scratched in plastic. what would you advise? I was thinking of a magic eraser maybe some steam I’m not sure. submitted by /u/Academic_Low_8293 [link] [comments]”
“I’ve been remote forever and somehow never really paid attention to the chair part. I just kind of accepted the lower back/ neck/shoulder tension as part of sitting all day. I’m currently sitting in a ProtoArc EC200 (ergonomic chair but on the budget side) at a friend's place, and the biggest difference wasn’t even the chair itself but taking the time to adjust it properly. I’d never used a chair that let me adjust seat depth before. I never really felt settled and kept shifting around all d”
“It's 2 AM. My back hurts. I'm looking at my posture tracking code for the 47th time tonight wondering if I'm actually solving a problem or just automating my own pain. Here's the thing: most of us don't have bad posture. We have "I'll fix it after this task" posture. The task never ends. So you just... stay hunched. For hours. For years. Your back files a formal complaint. 5 weeks ago I decided to actually do something about it instead of just complaining. *POST”
“Sorry in advance for the technical post about ergonomics. I’m in my 7th year of practice and within the past year year I’ve developed terrible left low back pain and sciatica. I’m a right-handed dentist, so it makes sense why only my left side is afflicted (all the awkward class 3 ergo left turns). To my main point: I’m 6’1” and find that everything in every office isn’t tall enough for me. I find myself bending over, leaning, scrunching, twisting, turning in awkward positions because everything”
“I am 23 and have only been grooming for around a year, but I have CONSTANT back pain due to grooming. I know a lot of groomers develop back problems and carpal tunnel syndrome and I want to be proactive in preventing that while I am still young and healthy, but I feel like I’m doing everything I can to take care of myself and it’s just getting worse. I always make sure to raise my table appropriately and I avoid lifting heavy dogs as much as possible, I also invested in high quality shoes and ma”
“I thought about making up a better reason than because I like to be for this, but to be honest, i’m asking because i like to be horizontal. I need to be horizontal. I do better work lying down. I, at the very least, need an hour midday to be on a couch, beanbag, bed, or even floor. I do have an office and can close my door, but if i am totally on the floor I can’t get up and unruffled by the time someone comes in. Does anyone have tips for this?? A way to make sitting for 8-12 hours (i promise,”
“Hi everyone, I’m a newly registered nurse and I recently had a check-up for ongoing back pain. The results showed that I have an L4-L5 slipped disc, and my doctor basically told me that this is something I’ll likely be managing for the rest of my life rather than completely fixing. I’ve been prescribed medication for the nerve pain and inflammation, and I’m about to start rehab and physical therapy. I’m trying to stay positive, but honestly, I left that appointment feeling pretty discouraged. Nu”
“Hey guys, been freelancing for about three years. Design/layout. Sitting 10-12 hours a day because deadlines don't meet themselves. My back is completely wrecked. Lower back, neck, between shoulder blades. Tried getting up every hour, stretching – give up after a week because I forget or get lazy. One client recommended a standing desk. Says he bought one and now can work 8-10 hours without pain because he alternates between sitting and standing. Questions for those who already use one: Does”
“I am 22 weeks tomorrow and oh my god, sitting at work is torture. I have a standing desk and walking pad to give me breaks, but I feel like I can only sit for like 10 minutes at a time now and have to be on my feet most of the day, which isn’t totally ideal. I’ve been trying sitting differently, a bunch of different pillows, and nothing helps. I just got off a Zoom call and it’s like someone is sticking my with a hot poker in the tailbone when I go from sitting to standing. I’ve read it’s probab”
“I’m looking for a decent chair that’s not a Herman Miller or some other $1,000+ chair. My current chair was about $100 but has zero support and it’s killing me. I bought a cushion but it doesn’t help much at all. I’m looking to spend <$600 USD for something decent. I’m 5’3” (160 cm) and all the chairs at my local office supply company are made for giants. Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/Fun_Sun1095 [link] [comments]”
“i sit at a desk way too long every day, constantly shifting between typing forward and lounging back. naturally the targeted ads figured this out, so i've been seeing a massive wave of 'dynamic' ergo chair projects in my feed lately. the pitch videos always look so good. instead of locking you in some rigid posture, they promise adaptive mechanisms, sensors, and parts that shift with you. as a hybrid worker, its an easy concept to buy into (and i almost did). TBH, a slick render and”
“I have wanted a bolster forever and am finally getting one. With age, my once super flexible back has become incredibly tight (mid/upper back). I'm thinking the bolster will help with yin/restorative practices. I didn't realize tho that I had so many size options. I'm 5'3" (160cm) and fairly slim. I'm looking for suggestions for width - as I'm seeing 20cm and 30cm (about 8in - 11in) widths and height where I've seen 15 and 20cm (about 6-8in). Any suggestions? ”
“Is there anything you guys do to prevent the aches and pains. My back, arms and shoulders can start to ache so bad after 5 mins of holding the little one. Yoga? Something else? submitted by /u/sideH123 [link] [comments]”
“I got new ergo loupes about 2 months ago and ever since I switched my neck pain has got way worse, to the point now it’s just constantly in pain. I think the working distance might be 2cm too short but the rep didn’t think this would be enough to cause this amount of pain. I need to send them away which could take 6 weeks and now that I’m in a lot of pain I can’t really go back to my other ones. For context I’m also 22 weeks pregnant and was planning for these loupes to help with pain from leani”
“I need brutal honesty here. My dream is to be a groomer, I’m not there yet. I was in a car accident and left with herniated and bulging discs in both my neck and lower back, as well as both shoulders have rotator cuff tears and cartilage tears. I know grooming all by itself can be brutal on the body. Would being a groomer ever be possible with these injuries that may or may not affect me my entire life? submitted by /u/scarletandsilver [link] [comments]”
“I've just recently tried getting into some yoga and incorporating more movement into my life since I live a sedentary life as a whole because of my job, where i'm sitting down most of the working day. Recently, I've noticed I have this really sore tight area around my left hip at the back and I have noticed it before, but it's getting worse. I've tried a beginner pigeon pose and that seemed to help a little while I was in it. I could feel the tension and it felt a li”