Any Tips for Stiff Neck & Back from Sitting?

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KD86

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I work as a personal aide for a fourth grader. My entire day is spent sitting at a desk near him. I occasionally get to go sit in the bleachers at gym or the stools in the shop room. These chairs are the perfect size for fourth graders, but not at all for an adult. Its probably not helping that after I leave the school I go to my other job working at a pharmacy where I am crouched over because the counters aren't high enough.

At first my neck and back were stiff throughout the day, but after 2 months it is becoming an all the time thing. I can't get comfotable to sit when I get home or to go to sleep.

Thanks for any tips anyone might have would be appreciated. There are two "adult sized" chairs in the classroom, but they are for the teacher. My job is to make sure my student is always paying attention and not to be comfortable. I have tried to get to be at the table with one a bigger chair, but have failed.

Thanks Again
KD
 
I've worked in the school system as a sign language interpreter and can fully relate. The sitting with the student(s) was actually worse...

I saw a chiropractor regularly, and had massage sometimes although not enough.

I would suggest you see a massage therapist that also has knowledge of body ergonomics to help you position yourself to aleviate some of the problems.

You could also consider yoga?

At night when you sleep....when on your side, hug a pillow. Make sure the one that's under your head is high enough to have you sleeping straighter. There are many contoured ones that might be of value to you.
As well, have a pillow between your legs, that helps to lessen the stress on your back and shoulders, actually.

On your back, lay fairly flat with a pillow under your legs. I usually remove my head pillow, but if you have one that can be turned around fairly flat, that can help.

The problem is that if things aren't dealt with, things will persist if the body doesn't get a break. And to top it off, fatigued muscles will allow other muscles to take over...just exacerbating the problem.

Hope you feel better soon, especially if this is a profession you want to remain in.

q
 
Thanks quincy. I will try those tips you had for sleeping tonight.

Hopefully I will get a job as a teacher so that I can have the nice comfortable chairs and don't have to be sitting all day :)

KD
 
Quick exercise for stiff neck and shoulders - shrugs.

Slowly lift both shoulders straight up and down, just like you're shrugging. Even a few, 10 or 20, can loosen tight muscles.
 
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