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Dealing with Posture Problems?
WebfishUK asks: "Musculo-skeletal problems (such as back pain) affect most computer users sooner or later. Like others I spend many hours sat in front of a computer and wonder what the long-term health implications will be. I recently came across a website for an application called Posture Minder which apparently runs in the background and uses your web-cam to monitor how you are sitting and warn you about bad posture habits. It sounds like a neat idea (prevention being the best cure and all that), although the website doesn't have a download. Do Slashdot readers have other devices or any habits that they have adopted to mitigate the health risks of spending a lot of time in front of a computer?"
Don't take that the wrong way - I am a firm believer in the idea that sitting in awkward, unnatural positions can cause some nasty problems, but honeslty I don't think a webcam can collect enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not you are sitting 'safely.'
If you want to prevent damage, take a rest break every 15 minutes or so to stretch out your arms, wrists, and back, don't type on a laptop keyboard, don't rest your hands on your keyboard, and above all, relax and vary your how you sit now and again. Stick a leg up on that desk. Pull the 'Thinker' pose. Lean back absurdly. Sit on your armrest. Perfect that slouch. Exercise may help, from what I've heard.
Not only will you surprise your coworkers, you'll find that you really don't like sitting in the same damned 'good posture' pose all the time. Sometimes, it's just bloody uncomfortable.
Disclaimer: have had RSI symptoms before. Got me a buckler-spring keyboard and an interesting chair to sit in and never looked back.
"Do Slashdot readers have other devices or any habits that they have adopted to mitigate the health risks of spending a lot of time in front of a computer?""
Wear a lightweight lift-belt. It's basically heavy-duty elastic with adjustable velcro on the front, and a reinforced section around the spine.* Helps with weight-issues too. Also get a proper chair with arm-rests and support that goes up to your upper-back. As well as a foot-rest that'll raise your feet enough to keep the circulation going in your legs (I'm not certain about the vibrating ones).
*Yes, it helps with posture.
BTW don't be afraid to ask a doctor about this. Slashdot's cheap. Health problems are expensive. Get it right.
Its not just an "improvement in morale." So someone doesn't like dogs. What's he going to do - kick a handicapped person's service dog?
I don't think so.
The biggest culprit nowadays is keyboard trays and chairs that are too low.
People get a keyboard tray to keep the keyboard at a "more natural" height. So now, they're sitting too far from their screen. So, what do they do? Instead of moving the screen closer, they hunch forward.
The easier solution is to put the keyboad on the desk, and raise the chair height. This also insures less neck strain because the screen's top is below eye level, even for a 21" screen.
Check it out - walk through the cubes and see how many people are hunched forward.
Raise your seat 3 inches, move the keyboard and mouse onto the desktop, and your posture will improve.