I worked with Lisa Ebb, one of their physical therapists, and found the BIG program helped my balance and improved my shuffling, stooped gait. I was unusually faithful in keeping up with the program until the August 2011 car crash that triggered the back pain . . . and gave me an excuse for slacking off. I need to start doing the exercises again, since the balance problems have resurfaced.
A month ago, my neurologist prescribed a BIG refresher course, and I asked to be scheduled with Lisa again. At our initial consultation, Lisa decided that rather than resume work on BIG — which I know how to do and just need to do it — we should see what could be done about the aching back.
My Old, Poor Work Posture
She started me on an exercise regimen I feel is helping. I also told her I thought the hours I spent every day at my desktop computer might be contributing to the back problem. She asked for a photo of my desktop setup. Here’s what I sent:
My feet are on an inclined foot rest recommended by a healthy back store. The keyboard is on the desk and the monitor sits on top of several books to elevate it above the inclined keyboard.
Well, Lisa found lots wrong and little right with this setup. She told me to ditch the footrest. My feet should be flat on the floor. My knees and thighs should be under the desk. The keyboard should be lowered. The monitor should be 18 to 30 inches from my face. The arm rests should be lowered.
The basic rule for PC desk ergonomics, Lisa said, is 90-90-90. My feet and ankles should form a 90 degree angle. My thighs and back should also form a 90 degree angle, making my knees parallel to — or a little lower than — my hips. My upper and lower arms should be at a 90 degree angle, putting my wrists in a straight line over the keyboard.
The New Ergonomic John
So I junked the footstool. I went on amazon.com and found a keyboard that attached under the desk. I got rid of the books that propped up the monitor and, with the keyboard no longer on the desk, I could move the monitor forward, about 18 inches from my face. I adjusted the arm rests so that my wrists were directly over the new lowered keyboard.
Just before leaving with the family for a week in Iceland, I had Nimesh take this shot of new Ergonomic John. I’ve got a session with Lisa coming up, so we’ll see what she says about the new setup.
Lisa gave me several other suggestions for good work posture:
- Approximately 3/4 of the thigh should be supported on the chair.
- Sit directly on the bones of your bottom.
- Keep your back straight. Bend forward at the hips to distribute weight equally between your bottom and feet. (Oops! I’m leaning back in the photo above, not “hinging forward.”)
- Take a deep breath, relax your abdominals and let your rib cage rest on the top of the pelvis. As Lisa puts it, “Let your chest rest on your stomach.” After a week of eating my way around Iceland, the chest has an even bigger resting place.
- Bring the shoulder blades up, back and down and relax the shoulders.
- Lengthen the head and neck up toward the ceiling, tuck your chin up and back to keep your ears over your shoulders. Relax your head, so you’re like a bobblehead doll.
