Stability Ball as desk chair

Has anyone tried using a stability ball as your office chair with an existing neck injury? A day of sitting in this chair seems to create far more muscle spasms and swelling in my neck than pretty much a day spent doing anything else. I am TRYING not to turn to too many drugs if I can manage it.

I've read that some use stability balls and have decreased muscle spasms and tension, but their symptoms may have been from from job stress or a bad fitting chair...I've a quite technical position and right now I do not have the option of cutting my hours back - there is just too much work to do and I am the only one qualified to do it at this time.

I've never tried it, so I can't help you there.

Have you considered a standing desk? Or at least one where you can sit and/or stand when you're working?

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

I've never tried it, so I can't help you there.

Have you considered a standing desk? Or at least one where you can sit and/or stand when you're working?

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I was thinking the same thing. I now have a standing desk (with a tall, stool-chair for occasional sitting) and it has worked wonders for my whole body (from hip issues to back issues to digestive issues...). I really love it.

I did read somewhere that a stability ball is better than a supportive chair once you get used to it because it forces you to use your own skeleton and muscles to support yourself. Chairs are inherently bad because they do all the supporting for you. Let me see if I can find the article...

OK, it's a blog, but he does reference a lot of articles (and says a stool is better than a chair, not a stability ball, but I would think the benefits would be the same):
Sitting is Unhealthy

That said, I would imagine there would be an adjustment period as you build up the muscles to hold the posture.

I don't have neck issues but when I started using my ball for a chair, I used it for an hour a day, then two hours a day. Even now, when I've been using it for a year, it's just my morning chair. I could use it all day, but I like having my morning chair and my afternoon chair.

Just try it, and if it doesn't work, try something else.

I haven't used one, but it seems to me that neck issues have more to do with where your desk is in relation to your face, than what your lumbar spine is doing. (Not that the spine isn't all connected, obviously.)

I used a kneeling chair for years and really liked it. But I think what might be the first line of attack for neck problems is to put your monitor up on a hutch or whatever so it's at eye level - if your main computer is a laptop, get a separate keyboard for it. If you're on the phone a lot at work and/or frequently turning away from your computer screen, try to turn your chair so that you're not holding your head to the side all the time (btdt).

In addition to Oak's suggestion, I think you need to be mindful of your neck posture when you are seated. The tendency is to hold you head too far forward. Ideally, your ears should be balanced directly above your shoulders. Of course there are other aspects of seated posture and alignment that you should be mindful of, too. I would encourage you to start there before trying a stability ball. Some of what I have read about that suggests that people with existing injuries should not use a stability bar.

If you are straining your neck by moving your head forward when you sit at a desk, it could be a vision issue. The right correction could help.

Thanks for all of the advice, I will examine my posture more closely. I DID have both of my monitors on a riser - I require two large landscape monitors in my work. The riser was perfect, or WOULD have been if I didn't have no-line bifocals. Being a short woman, when the rest of my body is in the proper ergonomic position my head is tilted backwards so I can actually see my monitors when they are on the risers. If I didn't have glasses it would be perfect.

While it doesn't help that I need new glasses, which are coming in January, removing the risers has had the effect of allowing me to view the monitors properly. No tipping my head backwards so I don't have to use the "long distance" portion of my glasses...which doesn't really work well. What would be ideal is a second pair of single vision glasses for work that is only for that distance......hmmmm.... that isn't a bad idea actually. Perhaps in the long term I might do that.

Tomorrow I will pay close attention to my head and neck position, and the spasms have been better since I dumped the riser last week. It didn't help today that I've been trying to go without the muscle relaxers and I just can't do that right now.

Thanks again, I appreciate it!

Any chance you can afford a pair of computer use only glasses? I have reading glasses, set up to the distance of my monitor (don't work for poop to actually read...) They are for work only.

Back before I had kids, I did a lot of sewing. I used a stability ball for my chair while doing those projects and I loved it. I did not have to sit for several hours at a time, multiple days in a row, so I can't speak to how it would feel for a whole work week, but it was a real back-saver for me when at the sewing machine.

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Any chance you can afford a pair of computer use only glasses? I have reading glasses, set up to the distance of my monitor (don't work for poop to actually read...) They are for work only.

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I've considered this, just thought of it this evening. I am due for new glasses in January, I've several older pairs of frames and will consider it. Considering how expensive my normal prescription is, a single-vision set of lenses shouldn't be too expensive since I've already some frames to put them in...this is a really good idea, thanks!

I will hold off on the stability ball for now. The rest of my spine is fine, and thankfully I've quite strong back muscles - I wrenched my lower back the same time I fell and got the whiplash. Interestingly enough it was my lumbar spine I was concerned with, not my neck (cause my back hurt for the rest of the day - my neck took longer to get sore). I think my position at work is much better than it was but will focus on that.

Keep in mind that switching between High Beams (bifocals) and Low Beams (mid-distance computer glasses) gets old fast.

Progressive lenses are more expensive but are well worth the investment. Since you already have frames you can use, you won't be shelling out a big chunk of change.

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Originally Posted by Selkie

Keep in mind that switching between High Beams (bifocals) and Low Beams (mid-distance computer glasses) gets old fast.

Progressive lenses are more expensive but are well worth the investment. Since you already have frames you can use, you won't be shelling out a big chunk of change.

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I have progressive lenses, but the mid-distance portion of the lenses are in the wrong place for my monitors :( I will be discussing this when them when I get my new glasses. If I were taller it would likely be less of a problem, I have a short torso. I've never had traditional bi-focals.

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Any chance you can afford a pair of computer use only glasses? I have reading glasses, set up to the distance of my monitor (don't work for poop to actually read...) They are for work only.

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I second the above suggestion. I too need bifocals for regular usage, but I take my old frames and have some "computer glasses" made up. It is pretty inexpensive (as far as glasses go) because the lenses are single vision, uncoated, and the least expensive lenses available. Usually it costs me at most $50.

We use a stability ball for the desk at home and I really want one at work but I am the only full time employee, so my desk it right where people walk in. I have been thinking about getting one and storing it under my desk when I need to use the actual chair when clients come in. I also end up with neck issues from sitting all day :(

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Originally Posted by ehirsch83

We use a stability ball for the desk at home and I really want one at work but I am the only full time employee, so my desk it right where people walk in. I have been thinking about getting one and storing it under my desk when I need to use the actual chair when clients come in. I also end up with neck issues from sitting all day :(

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I hope you are able to resolve this and get to feeling better soon! My neck problems aren't from sitting all day - I wish they were :o Neck issues aren't fun, regardless of the source.

I would love to use a stability ball as a desk chair at work, and actually tried it a few years back. But our desktops are a bit too high for the ball to work properly. Sitting on the ball put my hands/wrists in a really unnatural position that I could see causing problems down the road. I'm back to using my crappy chair.

You can get a chair base that you put a stability ball in, and this will raise the height of the ball to fit your desk better, but I'm not sure what you'd do about your feet/knees being at the right angle - perhaps a small stool to rest your feet on? Just a thought - I've never used the chair base things, but I know they are out there.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

If you're on the phone a lot at work and/or frequently turning away from your computer screen, try to turn your chair so that you're not holding your head to the side all the time.

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This made me think (if you are not already doing so) it might be more comfortable to use a headset than a traditional office phone so that you are not tempted to scrunch it between your ear and your shoulder.

Unfortunately, I have no experience with a stability ball as an office chair. It is something I wanted to explore, but I worked for a large corporation and our ergonomics/safety group would not allow this as they were concerned about employees falling off the ball resulting in an on-the-job accident :rolleyes:.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I've considered this, just thought of it this evening. I am due for new glasses in January, I've several older pairs of frames and will consider it. Considering how expensive my normal prescription is, a single-vision set of lenses shouldn't be too expensive since I've already some frames to put them in...this is a really good idea, thanks!

I will hold off on the stability ball for now. The rest of my spine is fine, and thankfully I've quite strong back muscles - I wrenched my lower back the same time I fell and got the whiplash. Interestingly enough it was my lumbar spine I was concerned with, not my neck (cause my back hurt for the rest of the day - my neck took longer to get sore). I think my position at work is much better than it was but will focus on that.

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I buy computer glasses and reading glasses from www.zennioptical.com. You put in your prescription. You can get them for less than ten dollars, plus about five dollars shipping. I must have 10 pair of assorted computer and reading glasses laying around the various places I hang out.

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Originally Posted by goride

This made me think (if you are not already doing so) it might be more comfortable to use a headset than a traditional office phone so that you are not tempted to scrunch it between your ear and your shoulder...

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I spend little time on the phone, if I do wind up on a teleconference I just turn my speaker on. This isn't a bad idea though, especially with the neck arthritis. I figure anything that will ease strain on my neck is a good thing, good. This will be a good thing to get later in the winter, thanks!

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

I buy computer glasses and reading glasses from www.zennioptical.com. You put in your prescription. You can get them for less than ten dollars, plus about five dollars shipping. I must have 10 pair of assorted computer and reading glasses laying around the various places I hang out.

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I checked out their site, and it is pretty nice! I do wear progressives, but I still have to tilt my head in the office - thankfully at home I don't need to do that as much, but I still have to do it a little. This is considerably cheaper than even getting new single-vision lenses in my old frames...thanks for the link! It is interesting that you can also get progressive lenses from them as well. I will stick with my usual provider for my regular glasses but it is good to know this site exists.

Catrin, I wear progressives and I find I get better results buying the progressive glasses locally, maybe because I have astigmatism and a strong prescription both. My spouse with a simpler progressive prescription uses Zenni. I do like using single vision glasses for reading and long computer work so I buy the cheap Zenni ones for that and they work just fine. Plus, it is fun to get some of the wilder frames.

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

Catrin, I wear progressives and I find I get better results buying the progressive glasses locally, maybe because I have astigmatism and a strong prescription both. My spouse with a simpler progressive prescription uses Zenni. I do like using single vision glasses for reading and long computer work so I buy the cheap Zenni ones for that and they work just fine. Plus, it is fun to get some of the wilder frames.

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I do have a.complex prescription and spend many hours building traffic simulation models, I thinks getting a pair of single vision glasses for work is a very good idea.

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Originally Posted by ehirsch83

We use a stability ball for the desk at home and I really want one at work but I am the only full time employee, so my desk it right where people walk in. I have been thinking about getting one and storing it under my desk when I need to use the actual chair when clients come in. I also end up with neck issues from sitting all day :(

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I use the Gaiam BalanceBall chair, which makes it look a little more professional than just a stability ball. It is also more spendy than just a ball, though.

In general:

I sit at a computer most of the day (when not in meetings :rolleyes:) and have found that my hips/pelvis/back/neck recover from long or intense runs/rides much better than they did sitting on a chair, no matter how fancy the chair. It also encourages me to get up and walk around because I get tired and notice my posture adjusting (in the wrong direction ;)).

I do still have to pay attention to all the things mentioned in the thread: where my mouse is (how far I have to reach), reaching for the phone, the height of my monitors, the angle of my head when looking at my monitors.

Gaiam chairs $20 off now...

I've been using the DFX (dynaflex) stability Fit Chair. It's basically a stability ball with rollers on the bottom. It engages your core just as well but keeps you from falling over. It also makes the ball higher since most desks are taller than the ball itself. I love it.

I sit at a computer all day and have used a ball for about 2 years now. Some days, or parts of days, I do revert back to my regular chair for a change. I don't have any existing back/neck issues to compare before or after. What I like about the ball is I feel I move a lot more, meaning I'm not in a constant static position. You can get a ball at walmart or target quite inexpensively, so perhaps it is just worth a try?

Catrin I don't know if you realize this but most of the "computer" lenses actually ARE progressives, or some form of it. The way they do it is obviously you still have your reading in the bottom but the proportions are different. The intermediate, which is what you require for things beyond 40 cm, is much larger. This area sits where your distance RX would normally be in 'traditional' prescription. The height of the reading portion is slightly lower too to accommodate for the upward head tilt you need to see monitors. You don't have to keep pulling your chin up all the time to read at intermediate in these style of lenses due to the fact that the whole top portion IS your intermediate prescription. If you decide to do this let me know first. :) There are a lot of opticians who don't know how to properly fit these to a patient and unfortunately a lot of optometrists who don't understand when using this particular type of lens they don't have to adjust the prescription because it is calculated to be at the patients intermediate distance based on the distance and near of the written prescription. I hope that made sense, let me know if I can help.

Thanks for the explanation, Winding Road. I was thinking more about a pair of single vision lenses, but of course, then I couldn't read something closer than the screen if that prescription is single vision.

I would like to discuss this further with you before I visit Ossip on Jan. 4. I can't afford 2 pair of progressives + 1 pair of Oakley sunglasses lens replacement (for the bike), so will have to consider the best approach to this.

It DID help to loose the monitor riser, and my neck appreciates the difference :)