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Back pain advice
Swog
Member Posts: 482
I am just about to come back to the tables after a 2 month break due to some painful back problems. Thankfully, the back pains have gone since I took the break but want to do all I can to keep it that way, especially with me reintroducing poker evenings! Without going into too much detail, all blood tests etc have come back as expected (albeit doctor hasn't completely ruled out kidney stones that have now passed) but I think the pains are likely due to bad posture at a desk.
I am typically at a desk for my job 9-5 every weekday (circa 40 hours per week) and about 4/5 evenings per week playing poker (circa 25 hours per week). I am sure there are others on here who have similar/higher volume at a desk.
Going for a short 20-30 minute walk every day and losing a bit of weight will help but any other advice or recommendations for some good practices, routines, and accessories worth buying (e.g. footrests, support cushions, etc.) would be much appreciated.
My current setup is something like the below:
However, since this photo, I’ve been using a chair something like the following:
I am typically at a desk for my job 9-5 every weekday (circa 40 hours per week) and about 4/5 evenings per week playing poker (circa 25 hours per week). I am sure there are others on here who have similar/higher volume at a desk.
Going for a short 20-30 minute walk every day and losing a bit of weight will help but any other advice or recommendations for some good practices, routines, and accessories worth buying (e.g. footrests, support cushions, etc.) would be much appreciated.
My current setup is something like the below:
However, since this photo, I’ve been using a chair something like the following:
Comments
The key to staying fit is stretches, do you do any? If not you should do, they are probably the key to limiting back problems. There are loads you can do, especially if most of your day is spent sitting down.
If you have a good osteo/physio ask them for a list of suitable stretches and do them, it doesn't have to be every day but at least 2/3 times per week. If you combine those with getting stronger then hopefully you can avoid your back problems becoming more serious.
If you're not that knowledgeable about fitness scene go and see a good sports physio for advice,
I haven’t asked for any professional advise as it isn’t something I’ve suffered with before and seems to have come and gone. I suppose if I can get in to some good habits it can only be a good thing to prevent anything more serious later.
I got into a really good strength programme at the early part of last year but the lockdowns and closure of gym didn’t help with routine. I suppose it’s no excuse and need to find alternative ways to keep fit and healthy in the meantime.
The owner of the gym I’m a member at is a highly regarded sports physio so certainly worth approaching at some point. To put it bluntly, I’m tight as cramp so will have to prepare myself to see the money leave my bank account first 🤣
Sorry to hear you’ve got back problems.
Great advice so far but just be aware that not all back problems are the same and any advice from the others or me are specific to our problems/experience and may not be appropriate to you. One thing that I do think will be universal though is the benefit of strengthening your core muscles.
I’m a dentist so spend most of my day sitting and often getting into awkward positions. Then sitting for hours playing poker in the evenings compounds the problem.
I suffered for a long time with back problems but got into Pilates. Having done lots of sports– athletics, football, rugby, squash, golf - I didn’t look on Pilates as real exercise so it took a bit of persuasion but it did the trick. I’ve now been pain free for about 10 years – at least until 7 weeks ago when I felt a spasm above my right hip that has gone on to be the worst problem I’ve ever had. Finally starting to settle but could well be a result of me not keeping up with the Pilates. Back pain had settled so I stopped doing it!! Won’t make that mistake again.
Other advice to move regularly is spot on. Suggest you use the 5 minute breaks to get up and walk about rather than just staying sitting and checking emails/facebook. I usually get up and make the boss a cup of tea. Helps the back and keeps me in the good books.
Hope this helps.
Donald
There are certainly some universal points made that I can start implementing straight away though.
I’m usually quite good at leaving the desk on the 5 minute break but I could certainly do it more often.
The advise given by everyone else looks all good to me. It's just a case of finding out what works best for you. Best of luck
Back is holding up okay so far. I’ve been taking everyone’s advice on board so far and it seems to be working.
Bad idea I know, I have back issues still due to it. Mainly in form of tight knotting traps. Can get painful though and turn into headaches.
Massage helps, foam roller helps, yoga helps, good posture helps, but best thing is regular deadlifting. Works back and pretty much whole body.
@ajs4385
Crikey, long time no hear bud.
How you keeping generally? Life good?
Yes cant complain, I retired from Poker when I turned 30 hated it by then pressing same 3 buttons every night (well mainly fold lol). Didnt do anything for a year, then got a job at a rival to Sky but quit after a month lol. No way I could ever be employed doing a 9 to 5. So I set my own business up. Currently shut though, so just a bit bored so looked on here.
How are you? I bet things have changed a lot here. Dont Stars own this now?
Nice to see you still involved with Sky. I do miss the TV channel one of best reasons to play on Sky.
Apologies for the thread derail
Pleased to hear you set up a business, but these must be tough times for you & so many other small businesses. Hope it survives intact.
The TV Channel? Yes, I miss it greatly, but it had probably passed it's sell-by-date, & I certainly had.
SB&G (of which Sky Poker is a part) was purchased by Stars a couple of years ago, yes, but barely was the ink on the deal dry before Flutter purchased the whole shabang. Flutter is the new brand name for what you & I knew as Paddy Power/Betfair. Big company now.