How to Sit Properly and Avoid Back Pain

cageymaru

cageymaru

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NPR has an excellent article on the proper way to sit to avoid back pain. Many think that people sit too much, when in fact most don't. It comes down to understanding that you have to push your butt out when you sit. Yes, just like the dancers in pop videos. This creates the desired "J" curve in your back that indigenous tribesmen have and they rarely experience back issues. But there is more to it as you will find out while reading the article and perusing our reviews on the perfect chair.

"Stand up and spread your heels about 12 inches apart," she says. Now, put your hand on your pubic bone -- like a fig leaf covering up Adam in the Bible, she explains. "When you bend over, you want to let this fig leaf -- your pubic bone -- move through your legs," she says. "This creates a crease between your pelvis and legs." This action also pretty much pokes your butt out, behind your spine. "Now go ahead, sit down," Sherer says. Now my butt -- or my imaginary tail -- is behind my spine.
 
I need a cure for height body auto pilot to muscle lazy position.

At 6'3" I struggle everyday with the one size fits all desks at work. No matter how I try to keep my back straight, once I lose focus of that and onto my work I start to slouch and get the back curve. I'm even thinking about getting those posture braces to help me keep proper alignment as I know I'll pay for it later if I don't fix my bad posture.
 
That_Sound_Guy said:
I need a cure for height body auto pilot to muscle lazy position.

At 6'3" I struggle everyday with the one size fits all desks at work. No matter how I try to keep my back straight, once I lose focus of that and onto my work I start to slouch and get the back curve. I'm even thinking about getting those posture braces to help me keep proper alignment as I know I'll pay for it later if I don't fix my bad posture.
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I got one of those standing desks along with specialty standing office mats, seems to help allot - along with some five minute back exercise - to just change posture between sitting and standing while working, could try that maybe.

I think the standing desk I found was like $250 off Amazon but I've seen some even in the $100 range when there's a special. Not too expensive for the potential benefits.
 
cageymaru said:
NPR has an excellent article on the proper way to sit to avoid back pain. Many think that people sit too much, when in fact most don't. It comes down to understanding that you have to push your butt out when you sit. Yes, just like the dancers in pop videos. This creates the desired "J" curve in your back that indigenous tribesmen have and they rarely experience back issues. But there is more to it as you will find out while reading the article and perusing our reviews on the perfect chair.

"Stand up and spread your heels about 12 inches apart," she says. Now, put your hand on your pubic bone -- like a fig leaf covering up Adam in the Bible, she explains. "When you bend over, you want to let this fig leaf -- your pubic bone -- move through your legs," she says. "This creates a crease between your pelvis and legs." This action also pretty much pokes your butt out, behind your spine. "Now go ahead, sit down," Sherer says. Now my butt -- or my imaginary tail -- is behind my spine.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, let me just see if I can just twerk my butt into position.
 
That_Sound_Guy said:
I need a cure for height body auto pilot to muscle lazy position.

At 6'3" I struggle everyday with the one size fits all desks at work. No matter how I try to keep my back straight, once I lose focus of that and onto my work I start to slouch and get the back curve. I'm even thinking about getting those posture braces to help me keep proper alignment as I know I'll pay for it later if I don't fix my bad posture.
Click to expand...

you and me both, we're the same height and I Cannot find a comfortable setting for my chair vs my desk. Company is moving offices soon and hopefully I Can convince them to get some customizable workspaces.
 
That_Sound_Guy said:
I need a cure for height body auto pilot to muscle lazy position.

At 6'3" I struggle everyday with the one size fits all desks at work. No matter how I try to keep my back straight, once I lose focus of that and onto my work I start to slouch and get the back curve. I'm even thinking about getting those posture braces to help me keep proper alignment as I know I'll pay for it later if I don't fix my bad posture.
Click to expand...

I'm only 6'1" but I feel you. I've spent too many years with short chairs, short desks, monitors way too low etc. Not to mention all the things you can bump your head into that short folks are in no danger of ever doing.
 
I use a quantum 9000 because the alvys were too expensive with a mesh low back support and swing mounts and everything is fine. Still stand for a few minutes every hour and it helps with my low back pain
 
Ultima99 said:
I'm only 6'1" but I feel you. I've spent too many years with short chairs, short desks, monitors way too low etc. Not to mention all the things you can bump your head into that short folks are in no danger of ever doing.
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Agreed. I'm 6'7", and the only advantage I've found is that the top of the refigerator is my personal shelf.

I really hate shopping for clothes, I hate going into a store and finding out the entire season's allotment for my size sold out in the first week.
 
I've been sitting with my ass out for a while, and yes it seems like I have less pain.

The thing is, after sitting ass out for a while, my back is really stiff when trying to bend forward
 
I'm 6'4" and have no back problems, and I sit in front of computers all day long and I've been hit by a car twice when I was a kid. I didn't obey traffic laws when I was young. I also have only had one cavity and have no stomach problems, which is rare thing this day in age apparently. It must suck to be mortal.
 
I'm 5'7" and I sit like Maxell guy all day.
maxell chair sit.jpeg
 
Skylinestar said:
Is there a youtube video for this?
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat. I've read it several times and still can't grasp the technique they are describing. It was good for laughs when I read the description to co-workers and had them try it as well.
 
Tall people... make your work adjust your desk up. My coworker is 6' 2" and had the raise the desk board almost all the way to the cube wall top (we have shorty cubes, sucks). But that way he can adjust height on his chair up a little and not slouch. Or just go standing desk I guess.

At 5' 9" I'm perfect medium desk height, my problem is the chairs at work suck total ass. My z-line chair at home (amazon or fry's, $120) is great.. at work you either get a $60 used officemax "manager" conference room chair with zero ass padding, or these stupid $400 HON ergo chairs that make me cry in 5 minutes flat. I swear a $15 camping chair would be better than those 2 options... so I just get up every 20 minutes and walk around. People in my office love me pacing up and down the row when I'm on the phone.
 
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