Pain from sitting at desk

[_Mja_]

Hi,
I've worked in a desk job for 18 years. Over the last 2 or so years I've had pain in my left hand side - shoulder, lower ribs, my elbow. It feels like deep muscular pain and twinges the most when I use the mouse but can be felt all the time during other activities.

I will admit my posture was never very good and I used to sloch. I've made changes to this over the last 18 months and made sure I have a proper chair, sit at the right angles but I've not been able to support my mouse arm wtih my chair arm - that arm hangs about an inch above the arm of the chair and my latissimus dorsi (had to look that up) is always under tension supporting it.

Just wondering whether anyone else has overcome these issues and whether there are better ways to set my desk up. I am working form home and have followed online guidance as best as I can. I also walk in the morning and at lunch to get away from the computer. I used to be more active with cycling to the office but that's all stopped now.

Cheers
Matt

[frisbee]

I trained myself to use a mouse with either hand so I can give my arm a break. It's a lot easier to pick up than writing with the wrong hand.

[Stevemr]

I bought a desk from ikea which can move from seating to standing, was a huge help.
Just vary standing and sitting through the day.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/images/products/bekant-...

[Radec]

Have you got any aids to help you like a foot rest and mouse mat with wrist rest, also maybe look into getting ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

Standing desk is also a very good idea.

I'd have a look online for some stretches you can do before work just to warm your muscles up and also maybe have some hot radox baths after you finish work.

Wheat bags and heat pad/pillows are also something you can look into to relax your muscles around your neck/shoulder while working.

[Slowboathome]

My various aches and pains have almost always been caused by habitually keeping that part of my body in a fixed position for too long. Eg:

- instep pain which resolved by changing my foot position on the accelerator
- elbow and hand pain caused by sleeping with my arm over my head
- elbow pain caused by leaning on that elbow when working.

My suggestions would be:

- don't worry too much about 'right' posture, just sit differently at your desk from what you're used to.
- try various stretches to 'floss' the nerves which are protesting.

[_Mja_]

Thanks! I am definitely the type to ignore pain and ignore posture in the past so it's caught up with me now.

I do probably need something for my feet. I'm pretty normal height wise 5ft10 but in order to get my chair at the right height for arm and eye angles my feet no longer touch the floor.

I will look at those other aids for the mouse. Not sure I can train myself to be a lefty but worth a go.

I'll think about a standing desk. When we were office based in my previous job it was useful for light computer work but I'm an accountant and work with data and develop systems where I need two screens. Maybe it would work not. The other thing i need to do is become better at solely using the keyboard - in my programs such as excel or the software i develop I am good with keyboard short cuts but I never use the Alt tab to cycle through programs and in this role I am usually working across multiple items and sit planted on the mouse for ages to navigate.

Exercise is another angle to consider to keep active. Good suggestion.

[robbieduncan]

I work on a computer all day (developer/system architect). I have a sit/stand desk at home. It easily supports 2x28” screens, desktop attached to the underside, laptop and iPad. Motors are not stressed. It’s a frame from Amazon with a separately chosen top. I think all-in it cost about £500. Coupled with a second hand Aeron chair (I think I paid under £300) it makes a comfortable workstation for full time use.

I have a pretty messed up back (nearly had surgery on it a few years back) and this stops me feeling sore day after day. Make sure you stand up for a bit every hour l