Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#11

Post by daxcurzon » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 10:05 AM UTC

I've been dealing with sciatic nerve issues for the last 2-3 years. Currently I'm in my 17th year of being in IT (sitting 10 hours a day).

I had to go to a physiotherapist to heal my sciatic nerves when they blew up for the first time. It was so bad, I needed injections at the hospital just to not be in pain and took rather strong pain killers for a week.

A combination of the following has drastically changed my back health in the last 2 years.

* Basic weight lifting/strength training 2x per week focusing on shoulders/back/chest. Just 20-30 minutes. Nothing extreme.

* Switching from sitting in a chair, sitting on a yoga ball, laying on a yoga mat on the floor, and standing desk every hour. According to my physiotherapist, any one position for long periods of time is bad and present their own issues; the key is not staying in one position for more than 1-2 hours at a time.

* Yoga is good

* Chiropractors are good.

* Firm mattress.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#12

Post by _8j50 » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 10:14 AM UTC

What I have heard from several people is that pushups work like magic. For me, a standing desk and a good chair with neck support did helped me get rid of back pain right as it was starting.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#13

Post by atmosx » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 10:45 AM UTC

Pilates & healthy diet. Just Works™.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#14

Post by gadders » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 10:56 AM UTC

On top of other recommendations, can I suggest lifting heavy weights as per Starting Strength or similar? Strong backs are healthy backs.

You can even get templates to start you off: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/training-templates/low-...

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#15

Post by joshxyz » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 11:08 AM UTC

quality bed and chair

time for exercise

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#16

Post by t-3 » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 12:11 PM UTC

Stretching and light calisthenics when I wake up. No need to be fancy or intense, just touch your toes, butterfly, cross arm stretch, along with a set of pushups and squats. It also helps to pay attention to your posture, and adjust chairs/monitors to prevent slouching (maybe visit the optomotrist or increase font if you're leaning a lot).

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#17

Post by deanmoriarty » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 12:44 PM UTC

Squats and deadlifts significantly changed my posture and my feeling of wellness.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#18

Post by mafro » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 12:47 PM UTC

Pilates worked for me. Reformer pilates, where you lie on this bed with pulleys and do various different exercises. 1hr a week for two years and I have no issue with my bulging disc injury.

YMMV of course, and most other suggestions here are also worth trying.

Most importantly, if you try something stick to it for 6-12 weeks before changing up. That's enough time for yoga/weights/pilates/whatevs to make a meaningful impact.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#19

Post by _spduchamp » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 1:43 PM UTC

I used to have all kinds of back and neck pain, but 48 I started boxing and savate training and all of that pain went away. It's the best thing I've ever done for my health.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with neck and back pain?

#20

Post by m0llusk » Wed, Aug 03, 2022, 1:45 PM UTC

Weightlifting. And avoid prolonged inactivity in the office: Get up every 10-20 minutes or so just to stand up and move around a little and take pressure off the eyes and hands.