Health & wellbeing

Lately I've been noticing pain in on the inside of my shoulder blades. The right side more than the left.

I've started to look at how my workspace is setup as a 5'10" gentleman.

As you can see, my iMac is propped up by 5 books. I did that as I found looking down at a screen gives me a sore neck (I noticed this after using my laptop solidly for 8 weeks). So now, when I sit straight and look ahead, my eyes meet the centre of my display.

My desk is a standard Ikea model with height adjustable legs. At the moment it sits 29" from the floor to the table top but used to be much higher. I changed that because I noticed my hands getting cold as the blood drained from them.

I also switched to using the Apple Magic Trackpad to prevent wrist problems. It's hard to say whether this would make a difference long-term. The only benefit I have noticed is the lack of 'scratch' noise by dragging my mouse along the desk :-)

As part of my workstation, I also have a fairly standard Ikea office chair but with arm rests. Lately I have considered upgrading the chair to an Aeron. The seat of my chair sits 18" off the floor and I can sit with my feet firmly on the floor as well.

Now I don't know if any of these adjustments have made a difference to my overall postural wellbeing, it may just be some knots that I need worked out (I'm actually seeing a physio today for further investigation into things).

As well as changes to my workstation, I'm trying to make more of an effort to keep active. I'm back playing football once a week (although for the most part I feel like I've been in a car wreck for days after). I was walking with the family in the park after dinner during the summer and we also bought bikes but mechanical issues have seen it ridden about 3 or 4 times.

I have also been trying to drink more water during the day as well.

For those of you who sit at a desk for pro-longed periods of time I'd be interested to know:

* your height

* your desk height

* your chair height

* your screen size

* if you look dead ahead while sitting straight, where do your eyes hit?

I'd also love to know of any techniques you've found to reduce neck strain or any helpful exercises.

UPDATE

So I went to see the physio and explained the problem I've been experiencing and he put it down to muscle tension. The muscles between my shoulder blades are abnormally tight by all accounts. 

After looking at how I sit at my desk, he was happy I'd taken steps to remedy where I though the problem was. 

I spent some time with an electro-magnetic mat to loosen the tension, before a short burst of laser treatment (like 2 mins). 

I've been given some stretches to do as well as using a cold pack for 10 mins every few hours and have a return appointment next week to check on my progress.

Lately I've been noticing pain in on the inside of my shoulder blades. The right side more than the left.

I've started to look at how my workspace is setup as a 5'10" gentleman.

As you can see, my iMac is propped up by 5 books. I did that as I found looking down at a screen gives me a sore neck (I noticed this after using my laptop solidly for 8 weeks). So now, when I sit straight and look ahead, my eyes meet the centre of my display.

My desk is a standard Ikea model with height adjustable legs. At the moment it sits 29" from the floor to the table top but used to be much higher. I changed that because I noticed my hands getting cold as the blood drained from them.

I also switched to using the Apple Magic Trackpad to prevent wrist problems. It's hard to say whether this would make a difference long-term. The only benefit I have noticed is the lack of 'scratch' noise by dragging my mouse along the desk :-)

As part of my workstation, I also have a fairly standard Ikea office chair but with arm rests. Lately I have considered upgrading the chair to an Aeron. The seat of my chair sits 18" off the floor and I can sit with my feet firmly on the floor as well.

Now I don't know if any of these adjustments have made a difference to my overall postural wellbeing, it may just be some knots that I need worked out (I'm actually seeing a physio today for further investigation into things).

As well as changes to my workstation, I'm trying to make more of an effort to keep active. I'm back playing football once a week (although for the most part I feel like I've been in a car wreck for days after). I was walking with the family in the park after dinner during the summer and we also bought bikes but mechanical issues have seen it ridden about 3 or 4 times.

I have also been trying to drink more water during the day as well.

For those of you who sit at a desk for pro-longed periods of time I'd be interested to know:

• your height
• your desk height
• your chair height
• your screen size
• if you look dead ahead while sitting straight, where do your eyes hit?

I'd also love to know of any techniques you've found to reduce neck strain or any helpful exercises.

UPDATE

So I went to see the physio and explained the problem I've been experiencing and he put it down to muscle tension. The muscles between my shoulder blades are abnormally tight by all accounts. 

After looking at how I sit at my desk, he was happy I'd taken steps to remedy where I though the problem was. 

I spent some time with an electro-magnetic mat to loosen the tension, before a short burst of laser treatment (like 2 mins). 

I've been given some stretches to do as well as using a cold pack for 10 mins every few hours and have a return appointment next week to check on my progress.