Stability Ball as desk chair

[Catrin]

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.

[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?

[GLC1968]

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?

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.

[Melalvai]

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.

[malkin]

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

[OakLeaf]

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).

[indysteel]

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.

[malkin]

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.

[Catrin]

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!

[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.

[sookiesue]

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.

[Catrin]

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.

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.

[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.

[Catrin]

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.

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.

[Hi Ho Silver]

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.

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.