Health Issue: Back-Pain what to do?

[RobinVossen]

Hello other System maintainers.
I have for about half a year now a terible back pain.
First we thought it was my Chair, so I changed it. Well It helped a bit.
The pain is back now, so we thought it was me sitting wrong on the chair. I cant really sit to the back of my chair all the time.
I am sitting behind a computer for 15 hours a day. Since I am the system Maintainer. I do the networks, IT security, Linux System and the Programming for the Company so I am really sitting all day at work.
Well my Question is now, do you guys (and girls) also have back-pain?
And/or do you do exercises for the back..? I don't want to get crippled before I get married. And I really don't want to lose my power to use the PC.. Since thats really the only thing I am good at..

So, what to do against back pain?

Cheers,
Robin

[elija]

Go see your doctor. Or maybe a chairopr... a kairoprac... A bone cracker

[RobinVossen]

Umm, I really dont want to do that..
Im not ill, I hate docters.
But yea I think I should do that then..

Anyhow, does anyone have exercises?

Cheers,
Robin

[fingal]

I once had this problem. It was agony (I was yelling in pain and couldn't walk). For me the answer was to see an osteopath who played with my back, taught me how to stand all over again, told me things about my bones that I would never have guessed (she was a bit scary with what she found). I haven't had a problem since...

But be warned; there are oestopaths and then again... there are cranks who don't know anything. In the UK it's possible to search for registered osteopaths, and most of them are good.

If you're sitting a lot then it won't help your back and you might need to buy a special chair to offer you extra support. Good luck! I know how much it can hurt.

[RobinVossen]

Umm I think you had a way more terible thing then..
I did buy myself a good chair. It did cost me a lot of Money..
I dont know if the Chair at work is ok though. I havnt bought it..
Did you do any exercises? Since I always flinch when people (I dont trust/know) touch me. So I dont like the idea that my back is going to be touched by a Docter and then my another person and then ill be redirected to somebody else. I jsut cant stand that idea.. (but if that is what it takes I think I should just do it).

My girlfriend gives me a Back-Massage everytime she is around so thats ok

but, well thanks a lot already.

Cheers,
Robin

[Roxoff]

I am sitting behind a computer for 15 hours a day.

Get an assistant, let them do part of this, and get some exercise. Sitting in front of a computer is neither good for your eyes or your posture. Take up swimming or walking, be a little more active. 15 hours a day is 75 hrs a week if you do it 5 days; the European working time directive is there for a reason you know...

[RobinVossen]

Heh I cant get a assistant. I am still studing
I go to my work with the Bike every day.
Thats a Bike Ride from about 1 hour. So I sit on the bike every day for two hours. My eyes are already Broken. But thats something my family has. (Since I was 5 I had Glasses) I wear around Minus 7~8 now. (If I recall Correctly).
I dont mind swimming, but I do as a sport.
I cant be botherd to go Swim every Wensday Evening for example. I cant do something like that. I work only 10 hours a week, but when I get home I want to check my email. Say hi to my girlfriend (She lives 400Miles away). So thats why I have the 15 hours.
I dont have a car. So I am literly everyday walking or Cycling.
Thanks for your advice.

btw, I cant propher Swim.

[fingal]

I did do exercises but they only involved learning how to stand correctly. You might be surprised what you're doing without realising it. For example, I was throwing a lot of weight through my left hip, and tending to lean forward when I stood. I wasn't overweight, but this was enough to compress a disk in my lower back. You wouldn't believe how painful that can be!

And Rox is dead right. If you overdo computer work it can only hurt you.

[RobinVossen]

And Rox is dead right. If you overdo computer work it can only hurt you.

But well I'll have a big problem If I cant do what I do now behind my Computer.

Since its the only thing I can do for a profession...
My girlfriend lives 400Miles away so I will have to see her every day.
I don't have other hobby's. I have a problem with my wrists so I can't do anything creative like Drawing or Soldering. I can't do sports since I don't have a good coordination for that. (And I used to Bullied course of it.)
I don't like VideoGames so I wont buy a Playstasion or something.
So, I am pretty screwed?
Well, will it be better If Ill lay in bed with a Laptop?
Or will that be bad as well..?
I really hate this.. thanks though...

~ Robin

Edit:
Ive been thinking about new/extra hobbys.
But...
- I can't read well. (I am a Dyslectic) I like to read, but I wont do it quickly.
So, umm. I hate this...

[Freston]

Well, I guess you know what the problem is... the human body isn't designed to sit for 15 hours a day.

Do you have back pain when you cycle? Depending on the bike cycling can be either beneficial or making it really worst. You're putting strain on your body when cycling, and when you're not sitting in the right position that strain might go to places it isn't supposed to.

I have back pain as well sometimes, and I know doing stretching exercises at the first sign of oncoming back pain reduces it a lot.
But my back pain comes from being really tall, so I have to bend to reach almost anything. I can change light bulbs without standing on my toes in most modern houses, but I have to bend deeply to -for example- do the dishes, cut vegetables on the kitchen sink or kiss a girl

Also, I've learned not to mind when other people see me stretching. I used to think it was embarrassing, 'cuz it's not something people do in either the office or anywhere public. Right now, I no longer give a damn.

Dunno though, it may be that you also can benefit from straightening, bending and flexing your back as well. Be careful though, your back is vulnerable. Don't overdo it.
Also, hiking is good exercise. It flexes every bone and every muscle back into place. Swimming may even be better. But the beauty of hiking is that it can be done anywhere anytime. Code's compiling? Take a hike Seem to be stuck on a problem, just a ten minute hike to come up with new ideas and straighten your entire body back into shape.