Oh, My Aching Back!

I don't write much about my clumsiness. And I don't intend to start doing so -- just know that I've broken several bones over the years and am constantly bruised from running into things. I will, however, share an embarrassing moment that took place today, just so I can dispense some ergonomics knowledge and pander for sore-back suggestions.

A few hours ago, I was going downstairs to get something off of my printer. We have carpeted stairs, but there's no handrail and we actually have a thin runner covering the steps to prevent my dog's black hair from being ground into our carpeting or trailing into our lower level (he's not allowed down there for those same reasons).

Today, I wasn't paying attention, and I tripped on the lining with about four stairs to go. I would've loved to have seen what I looked like as I fell, because somehow I landed around the corner from the stairs with my arms fully outstretched over my head. I was more shocked than hurt, but I immediately knew that my back would punish me for this little spill later in the day.

Thanks to what I'll term a "freak cheerleading practice accident," I broke a vertebrae in 1988 and have had the aches and pains of a ninety-year-old ever since. There was pretty much nothing they could do for my injury, except warn me to "not get pushed from behind or go on roller coasters for a while." Now here I am, twenty years later, sitting on my behind all day in front of a laptop, and let me tell you... my back no-likey this situation.

I've done everything I could to set up my writing area as ergonomically correct as possible. I spent mucho bucks on an awesome Leap chair after learning about and trying out several different brands (here's a secret: that Aeron chair The Man bought for you isn't really that great!). I have adjusted its settings so that my feet rest comfortably on the ground, there are three finger-widths between my knees and the end of the seat cushion, the back is flexible... etc., etc. My wireless keyboard is at elbow-height so that I'm not having to tilt my wrists when I type. I have a laptop stand that raises my screen to the right eye-level so that my head and neck don't have to crane up or downward.

But still, despite all of these efforts, my upper back hurts every night. Yes, just like your grandma, I can even predict when it's going to rain simply from the level of aching in my previously broken bones.

Were you going to suggest getting a massage? I've done that, too. "I don't even know how you can walk," replied one of my masseuses after spending some time with all of the knots across my shoulder blades. Sure, I could get rub-downs more often, but they're not exactly cheap and I know that the root of my problem is my high-strung personality.

Here's my plan for saving my body from any further damage: I just need to calm the heck down and stop ruining my perfect writing set-up by tensing my shoulders reflexively all day, forgetting to take breaks, refusing to stretch each morning and night, and being reluctant to try out a yoga DVD (I do NOT do group classes at the gym, so don't even try to convince me on that front).

I know that if I took a few minutes to go through some poses or stretches, it would help immensely. Any other ideas out there? (And no, I will never go to a chiropractor -- I'm too scared and pretty much pass out at the thought of it -- so skip that suggestion... but I'm open to just about anything else!)

It's now time for my dog's daily walk... I'm going to remember to suck my stomach in and stand up straight for the entire 20 minutes - no more slouching for me! Now I just need to concentrate on not slipping (it's raining out) or tripping (uneven sidewalks abound in my 'hood!)

-e