My neck is killing me...

[Twixx]

Anyone here that has problems with their neck? I'm sitting in front of the computer all day almost every day, and my neck is really taking some damage from that. I'm starting to get a headache and getting nauseous some times. This is really not funny, so I'm asking all of you other "nerds" how you do to not get health problems when working on the computer? Is going to the gym enough to solve this? Or do I have to have the perfect ergonomic table and chair and all that? I'm trying to do some neck exercises and it works temporarily, but it still gets back to the hurting a few hours later...

Also, I've got some "triggerpoints" in my neck. Like, I squeeze with my fingers, and it hurts up in my head and almost all way to my eye if you know what I mean...

Thanks

 

[TerryMeshon]

I would make sure your screen is raised high enough. You should be looking straight at your monitor, not down... or up. That may help.

I put my laptop on a home made ramp type thing to raise it up a bit.

 

[aspe_heat]

I can't help you, but I will make you feel better - you will be thankful to your neck later if it doesn't kill you, because...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

 

[Madruga]

Buy a laptop.

As you can see on the red dots, pain can still appear, but given the fact that with a laptop you can constantly change your positions, most of the times you won't feel pain in the same location.... but you will feel the pain all over your body j/k

When I used a a desktop PC I had the same problem as yours, but when I got myself a laptop... problem solved (regarding pain)

If you don't plan to buy a laptop anytime soon, make sure you watch this video:

 

[Gogol]

Your posture might not be right.
This might help
http://www.wikihow.com/Sit-at-a-Computer

Also, consult a doctor and take some rest (for a day or two).

 

[keytenx]

killing you? why don't you fight your neck back? /joke
Seriously buddy, i have the same problem as you do. but except that my neck problem is tolerable. After i do some light neck exercise it is gone. what i hate so much is that i feel like vomiting when i stay for more than 10 hours in front of the PC. So what i do is take a 5-10 minutes break whenever i can and sometimes i stare away from the pc for at least a minute or so. As for the neck problem i think you should see a doctor, it seems that it is getting serious.

 

[LakeForest]

Desk should be able to support your elbow when your arm is completely relaxed. Don't on the elbow, but it must be supported; your arm is heavy and it gets supported by your shoulders/traps, which gets tired and gets supported by your neck, which causes pain over time.

The screen should be at or a little below eye level when your back and head are straight and forward.

When typing you shouldn't have to stretch or lift your arms or elbows.

Sit upright. If you find yourself slouching because of the chair, sit closer and higher with your back further back in the chair. If you find yourself slouching because it's tiring to sit up, you need to exercise your abdominals.

What you're squeezing in your neck are sore, overworked, and possibly knotted muscles. Get a heating pad or hot water something and lay down, relaxing with your head tilted to the side that's hurting(so the muscle isn't working but is relaxed), put the heat on the area, and get ready to feel your neck give itself a massage inside out.

 

[Twixx]

Sh*t you guys are helpful!

Anyways, I've noticed two things from what you all said. I have to look down on my screen, which probably isn't that good. Now I put a couple of books under the screen so that it's higher. Another thing is that I have to pretty much "lift up" my arms when sitting here. Like, my arm rest thingys on my chair are lower than my desk, so that my neck has to carry them all the time in the right height. (Not very good explanation).

Maybe it's time to get another chair / desk...

 

[funkybunker]

As everyone's stated, posture is vitally important but I find myself not caring pretty often. haha

If your desktop cannot be adjusted much, I've learned taking 10-30 minutes breaks throughout the work day definitely helps "damage control". So do off days in general, which I spend taking the dogs out on walks, getting off my butt really.

 

[funkybunker]

Sh*t you guys are helpful!

Anyways, I've noticed two things from what you all said. I have to look down on my screen, which probably isn't that good. Now I put a couple of books under the screen so that it's higher. Another thing is that I have to pretty much "lift up" my arms when sitting here. Like, my arm rest thingys on my chair are lower than my desk, so that my neck has to carry them all the time in the right height. (Not very good explanation).

Maybe it's time to get another chair / desk...

Dude I have the same issue! lol

You're going to laugh but, my chair is one of those huge, comfy santa-sleigh looking ones that can spin...my "desk" is a tv dinner table....you may laugh because I am too.

My arm rest is lower than the "desk" so I can relate, probably a very great idea for us both to upgrade bro haha.

 

[TheAdvertisingMan]

Try yoga mate Well, I have sometimes similiars problems but it's easy to find some muscle exercises on Google and it helps

 

[James2]

Stop bitching and be a man!

Joking I get it sometimes. I get those heat pad things you can stick on your skin and use ibuprofen. Works for me.

 

[chriswick]

You need to start balancing your life. Simple as that.

 

[pyrokinetic]

I went to a physiotherapist a couple of times after suffering from whiplash after a car accident, she thought me a few specific neck excercises to do daily to strengthen and loosen up my neck.
It might be worth it to visit a physiotherapist a few times if the pain pulls through all the way to your eye like you described. (I don't know if that's proper english, but you get what I mean )

 

[cosmo342]

You definitely should start going to a gym and pool. That would help you to keep your neck (and whole your body) in good state. Also you will thank yourself back in a couple of years as you will look attractive with the athletic body. It worth it. And it helps me to avoid my neck pain too!

 

[ltrading]

For me I get pain in my right shoulder. I get a massage once a week to help with that
Like others have said, exercise is important when you're working in front of a pc all day. Good for your general state of mind too

 

[Black.Star]

 

[bertbaby]

Number one way to save yourself is having the monitor at eye level and then having a good chair. Then remember to get the hell out of the chair at least once an hour. You are to young to be spending your days at a computer, I suggest you join life!

 

[rangerOH]

Easy, buy a comfortable office chair
speaking of which, i need 1 too
ouch ma neck :s

 

[kinlee]

Every 20 - 60 min get off your computer and take a small break. Do some stretches, rotate all your joints, go for a walk around your block, do a handstand, twerk, play with your pet, do the Harlem shake, make a pizza , anything that will get you moving.

Movement is life.