| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you suffer from neck pain, stiff neck or back pain as a result of working as a translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you suffer from neck pain, stiff neck or back pain as a result of working as a translator?".
This poll was originally submitted by Joanna Sobolewska-Kurpiel. View the poll results »
| | | | Châu Nguyễn 
Vietnam
Local time: 22:45
Member (2012)
English to Vietnamese
+ ...
| Very interesting poll | Jan 21, 2019 |
We're professional keyboard peckers, screen starers yet not so many of us are aware of the health risks entailing with this line of work. 3 years ago, my annual check-up results came out saying I was showing signs of spinal degeneration at the neck and lumbar region. I was like what the hell? I was 27, how could it be possible? It turned out I was working with computer too much, sometimes almost 12 hours a day. My neck hurt, my shoulder hurt, my back hurt, I was a grumpy grandpa at 27. I had to ... See more We're professional keyboard peckers, screen starers yet not so many of us are aware of the health risks entailing with this line of work. 3 years ago, my annual check-up results came out saying I was showing signs of spinal degeneration at the neck and lumbar region. I was like what the hell? I was 27, how could it be possible? It turned out I was working with computer too much, sometimes almost 12 hours a day. My neck hurt, my shoulder hurt, my back hurt, I was a grumpy grandpa at 27. I had to change many things from keyboard, mouse, chair, desk, monitor and my schedule. I can't grow back my bones but at least I slowed down the degradation process  Please be aware of this, guys. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
My main complaints are back pains (two discal hernias) and knee problems (osteoarthritis), but to be honest these are probably more related to age than prolonged computer use...
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 17:45
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
My neck, back, shoulders are a little "sensitive", however, working on a computer is not the only source for these pains.
| | |
|
|
|
| Regular Yoga and physical exercies is a must | Jan 21, 2019 |
I know that I don't follow what I preach usually. )
Yet, I would like to suggest my friends to do yoga, meditation and physical exercises regularly to stay away from back pain or spine related issues. Of course, health is prior to everything else.
Ugh.. I am also the victim. )
| | | |
but just because I go to the gym or the swimming pool everyday for 1 hour
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 17:45
English to German
| Au contraire | Jan 21, 2019 |
I would suffer from back pain if I had to work in a company that had to follow legal standards for employees' chairs. Or in a job that required any particular posture. As it is, I have put my saw and electric screwdriver to good use, and I am now the proud owner of a sitting solution that suits my actual shape.
One of the advantages of translating is that you could do it while hanging from the ceiling like a bat, or floating in the ocean like a jellyfish, and it would still produce... See more I would suffer from back pain if I had to work in a company that had to follow legal standards for employees' chairs. Or in a job that required any particular posture. As it is, I have put my saw and electric screwdriver to good use, and I am now the proud owner of a sitting solution that suits my actual shape.
One of the advantages of translating is that you could do it while hanging from the ceiling like a bat, or floating in the ocean like a jellyfish, and it would still produce the same results.
[Edited at 2019-01-21 16:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Cheryl Olson
United States
Local time: 09:45
Member (2017)
Chinese to English
+ ...
| Standing desk | Jan 21, 2019 |
I have found a standing option to be the best remedy, as well as taking short breaks to move around. I use a simple adjustable tray with mouse platform for my laptop and mouse. When I get tired of standing I simply move the laptop and mouse down to the desk and keep working. When I feel ready, I move it back up and stand again. That’s the cheap alternative to buying an adjustable desk.
| | |
|
|
|
I don't work so many hours at the computer.
| | | | R. Alex Jenkins
Brazil
Local time: 12:45
Member (2006)
Portuguese to English
+ ...
...but I did have a stroke.
Sitting on your backside most of the day, eating silly food, not doing enough cardiovascular exercise, and wham, you get a major wake up call if you're not careful. Aches and pains are just rudimentary signals that you're not getting up and about enough, so watch out for high blood pressure on top of that, and be careful with your sedentary lifestyle!
| | | | Samuel Clarisse
France
Local time: 17:45
Member (2018)
English to French
+ ...
| Chronic pain | Jan 21, 2019 |
I must admit that I suffer from chronic back and cervical/neck pain although I am barely in my thirties...
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 12:45
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Never happened so far. I'm 52, and I do have headaches when I work too much, and sometimes pain in my arms or wrists (rarely).
But I work with a desktop, with a separate screen at the correct height (straight line with the eyes), a separate keyboard at the correct height (straight line with the wrists), a comfortable ergonomic chair, etc.
When a person insists on working with a laptop or not sitting on a proper desk, these things are common at much earlier ages.
It takes some t... See more Never happened so far. I'm 52, and I do have headaches when I work too much, and sometimes pain in my arms or wrists (rarely).
But I work with a desktop, with a separate screen at the correct height (straight line with the eyes), a separate keyboard at the correct height (straight line with the wrists), a comfortable ergonomic chair, etc.
When a person insists on working with a laptop or not sitting on a proper desk, these things are common at much earlier ages.
It takes some time and pain for the person to place the laptop on a desk, use a proper seat, a separate mouse, screen and keyboard, to see all their pains gone.
But if you still work on your laptop sitting on a couch or on your bed, get your pharmacy ready, and beware that some problems may be permanent. ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Robert Paulig
Local time: 17:45
Member (2019)
English to German
+ ...
| Change position frequently and phyiscal exercise | Jan 21, 2019 |
I do always try to change the position when seating, at least once an hour. I do switch to an ergonomic seat cushion to promote active seating every once in a while (2-3 times a day for about an hour). Ergonomic mouse and keyboard help a lot.
And of course physical exercise, especially swimming (backstroke).
Tiny little helpers such as Workrave.org (or similar) can be very handy to remind you to change position regularly, do some little stretching and train your eyes.
| | | |
It rarely happens because I get up and walk around or do something else while on my feet after every two or three hours.
| | | | | Other problems | Jan 21, 2019 |
My neck only feels strained when I use my laptop to work away from home. I have a comfortable chair and a monitor set at eye level at home, so that takes care of that. My lower back feels somewhat vulnerable, but regular abdominal exercises seem to have alleviated the worst of it and daily walks also account for a lot (if winter could just end already...). My main issues are in the fingers and wrists, due in part to thoracic outlet syndrome, but I'm also aware that I'm hard on my knees due to th... See more My neck only feels strained when I use my laptop to work away from home. I have a comfortable chair and a monitor set at eye level at home, so that takes care of that. My lower back feels somewhat vulnerable, but regular abdominal exercises seem to have alleviated the worst of it and daily walks also account for a lot (if winter could just end already...). My main issues are in the fingers and wrists, due in part to thoracic outlet syndrome, but I'm also aware that I'm hard on my knees due to the ways I sit. I certainly should take more frequent breaks to walk around and stretch, but at least I'm better with it than I used to be. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Do you suffer from neck pain, stiff neck or back pain as a result of working as a translator? | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
