If you are a writer – or if you work at any job that keeps
you at a desk all day – you may be dealing with pain in the spine. I’ve been
collecting and sharing items my writer friends and I use for managing,
soothing, or eliminating that pain.
My friend Teresa says, "I can work only at a
table—doesn’t have to be big but it must be a table which makes the laptop
monitor low and that hurts my neck… so for at least eight years I’ve used a
roost laptop holder—collapses down to about four 12 inch sticks stuck together,
comes with a small bag carrying case." This Roost Laptop Stand is well rated, but you can also find cheaper versions.
Meanwhile, my friend Kimberly has been dealing with severe
hip pain. She says, “I bought a
Naipo hand-held electric cord massager about 5 years ago that really helps if I
use it for at least 10 minutes, the tight muscles will relax enough so that I
can sleep.” I didn’t find the Naipo, but Amazon has tons of Massage Guns at various prices. Be sure to check out
the reviews! Kimberly recommends using a heating pad to warm your muscles before using the massager.
Siting at a desk can contribute to Circulation
Problems While Working, as this article shows. Be sure you get up and
move every hour! You might also find some ways to reduce the strain on your
body at your desk.
Standing Desks let you switch
between standing and sitting without even leaving your desk. You can schedule
an alarm to remind you to switch – or do some stretches. While there are very
expensive options, some of these are around $100.
If you’re standing while you work, you probably want an Anti-Fatigue Mat.
These help cushion your feet to reduce foot and joint pain. They’re good if you
do a lot of standing in the kitchen as well! They come in several designs and some fun styles.
You can also try changing your chair. I mentioned some options in a previous post, but you might try a kneeling chair, balance ball chair, or
ergonomic stool for “active sitting,” which engages your muscles more to
promote core muscle strength, good posture, and blood circulation. Here are some
Active Sitting Chair options.
Teresa also recommended the Desk Cycle Ellipse, which sits
under your desk so you can peddle while you work. What a great way to burn
calories, build up leg strength, and keep your blood moving! It has great
reviews, with almost 1800 ratings and a 4.7-star average.
I
hope you find something here that makes your life easier. Check out the previous posts
on “Writer and Reader Comfort” and “Comfort at Your Desk” as well. I may have more as I discover useful tools for writers
and readers! Feel free to drop your favorites in the comments. As an Amazon
Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names
Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure
used in many schools; and The Genie’s
Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens:
Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are
inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men. Learn more here.
