I came across a new site run by a non-profit organization that offers quite a bit of information on dealing with back pain. There are sections on back pain causes, treatments, and exercises. The site is also split into different parts of the back (i.e. middle left pain, upper right, etc), so it makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
It's no secret that stress can lead to all manners of health problems like headaches, tension related aches and pains, weight gain, and even digestive ailments. Most people blame work for stress, but we may be bringing it on ourselves. We've become a society dependant on multitasking. At work, at home, and everywhere in between, it seems like people are always doing more than one thing at once. That leads you to feel frazzled and like you're constantly being interrupted and can't get anything done.
Here are some articles on the relationship between multitasking and stress:
Multitasking Could Be an Efficient Path to Failure
Making Way Too Much Out of Multitasking
Dealing with Stress
Multitasking, Improve Your Focus
I found another aticle on how posture can effect your health (including headaches, and back and neck pain), just incase last week's post (Stop Slouching!) wasn't enough to convince you. According to journalist Connie Midey in The Straight Truth: Good Posture Improves Health, "Posture, it turns out, does matter, physically and psychologically. Grandmas who warned against slouching and PE teachers who made students balance a book on their head always have known that, and doctors confirm it. Curl over your computer keyboard or sag behind a grocery cart long enough, and you might experience anything from migraine headaches to foot pain."
I've always been quick to blame headaches on staring at the computer monitor too long or tension in the upper back/shoulders from sitting all day, but for some people, it may just be a matter of not drinking enough water. According to Signs of Dehydration, not getting enough water can cause headaches, fatigue, flushed skin, and several other maladies. I'm still glad I bought the big LCD monitor (read: no glare) last year, though.
Applied Ergonomics is a site with same good discussions on issues such as reducing back injuries, establishing good ergonomics in the work place, and showing the benefits of ergonomics. They have posted notes from their previous discussions and invite people to join their mailing list to join in.
Some of the notes...
Case Studies / Solutions for Low Back Injuries
Case Studies / Solutions for Upper Extremity Injuries
Back pain from long hours at the computer used to be one of the items on my checklist of issues. Since buying my Herman Miller Aeron Chair, adjusting my workstation, and getting a break reminder program (Albion Stop Now), it's thankfully become a non-issues for me. (Don't worry, I still have other issues to complain about here).
I know there are quite a few folks, though, who are experiencing back pain from working long hours in a sedentary position. Here are a few articles and news reports worth browsing for tips:
Computer users feeling the strain
Ergonomics and back pain in the workplace
Five top tips to help ease back pain at work
When Computers Attack - Neck & Back Pain
