Aches and Pains? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:01:21 am
content: All,Anyone else notice neck/back/head pain after some hours at the bench? Anyone have any tips? Long soldering sessions used to be terrible on me, and I thought I'd squared it away after forcing myself to not look like Quasimodo while soldering. But recently it's happened again, so I'm asking if anyone else has any tips. Better chair? Take breaks? Tough it out? I'm only mid-30's, so this isn't age related... but I hate to think what things will be like when I'm in my 60's. =/Thanks!

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:08:04 am
content: I'd say that excessive focus and concentration on what you are working on causes you to forget what is happening with the rest of your body. So your muscles and joints get locked and stiff from lack of movement.To avoid such problems it is necessary to keep fluid and mobile, moving around and adjusting your posture so you don't get cramped into one position for a long time. A possible way to do this is to set an alarm timer that beeps every 10 minutes. The ten minute beep is a signal to put down the iron, stretch your back and arms and generally loosen up before returning to the work at hand.

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:10:55 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 24, 2014, 01:08:04 amGood call. Maybe I'll use my chess timer for this. =D Have you had any similar issues? The real bitch of it is I usually don't feel the problem until the next morning (I usually do my bench work after the rest of the family has gone to bed, so I finish up with what I'm working on, then go to bed, only to wake up with a terrible neck ache the next morning).

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:22:59 am
content: get a front view microscope like a mantis.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 02:18:23 am
content: Quote from: staze on November 24, 2014, 01:10:55 amI dare say I am as susceptible to such issues as anyone, but I try to avoid the problem before it becomes painful. Whenever I am sitting down I am always stretching my neck and back and shoulders. As soon as I feel the slightest twinge in my neck I change position. To some extent it is a matter of habit.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 02:23:31 am
content: I use a stool and overheight bench. I also set a timer to ensure I take a walk (or do other exersize).

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 05:22:10 am
content: or maybe your pillow is to high or to low, that joined with long time at the same position

author: jay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 05:48:39 am
content: I take regular stretching breaks while working on a computer or at the bench. It has made a big difference. No more back or shoulder pain, head aches etc.

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 06:47:41 am
content: Let me guess - you have the shiny new widget you are working on at the front of your bench, and you have your hands, precisely positioned, suspended above it for hours on end. You are holding the weight of your arms for all this time - no wonder you get a sore neck!The solution is simple - move the workpiece to the back of the bench, and rest your arms on the front. It does take a bit of discipline, but this will make it much easier to work for long periods.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 06:56:11 am
content: Quote from: johnwa on November 24, 2014, 06:47:41 amThis. And what also helps is something on which to rest your wrists. As a bonus you get better control over small hand movements for those finicky parts...

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 10:59:51 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on November 24, 2014, 01:46:03 amI agree. When I started my current job, I was in so much pain I was ready to quit. I spoke to my family about it and they told me it must be something to do with the working environment and I should speak to my boss. I took their advice and my boss moved me to a higher bench, found me a more comfortable seat and told me it was alright to take a break every now and then. I'm, glad I did this and no longer have a problem.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 11:53:16 am
content: Get yourself the worst chair you can imagine so that your ass will go numb and you are forced to interrupt your work and stretch your body

author: atferrari
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 12:31:28 pm
content: I resisted temptation to keep cold water in the room so, when I feel thristy, which happens quite frequently, I must go to the kitchen and get my water.

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 03:16:00 pm
content: I usually lower my seat down as far as it will go so I'm not hunched over as much. Helps a bit as well. Together with the other tips mentioned here (particularly: shift position or get up altogether often) I'm not experiencing any pain.

author: sunnyhighway
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 06:15:43 pm
content: Lower your efficiency.I mean, make sure it's impossible to solder for more than 10 minutes on end before you have to get out of your chair for another batch of components/boards.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 06:45:55 pm
content: Comfortable chair and at work a slightly used kneeling chair, which is great as well to take a nap on at times. Otherwise I stand and walk around a lot.

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 06:56:34 pm
content: Look at the desk watchmakers use. They usually have a really high desk, sometimes even with armrests attached to it. I don't have the space for that, so I usually just lower my seat.I sometimes use the ironing board as standing desk, but don't tell anyone. It has the correct name, right? (hint: put a cover on it first, you can't blame those solder burns on the clothes iron)

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:02:42 pm
content: Quote from: rollatorwieltje on November 24, 2014, 06:56:34 pmA horologist's desk would be awesome, but they tend to be spendy. Lot of times they have pretty awesome chairs too, and arm wrests.A better chair would probably help a lot... I have a Herman Miller Aeron at work, but spending that kind of dough for home would be tough. I just need to work on getting up every 10-20 minutes is probably the easiest. The rest I'll address once I move my "bench" off the office desk and out to the garage. =) And while I'd love a mantis, a place to put it might be hard to find. =/Has been an awesome thread though. We should keep this going... since for both hobbyists and pros, ergonomics is a serious issue for all of us.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:19:42 pm
content: QuoteMe too. I also have one here at home at my main desk. The armrests are very annoying and the floor wheels tend to snag things but otherwise they are very comfortableAt work we get trained and assessed for our work environment and this includes an annual questionnaire and assessment from an advisor. Everything gets looked at including chair type, height, desk height, monotor+keyboard+mouse and also the main electronics workbench has to be uncluttered with similar checks done for chair type/height and support.When I look at the 'show us your workbench' thread on here I'm amazed at how poor some of the workstations are.The most important thing in the room is the user/operator and NOT the test gear or parts bins. But so many people load up their work area with far too much test gear and clutter and they relegate themselves to working in a small cramped area near the edge of the workbench. This is bound to cause fatigue... Even the ones with big work areas get really badly laid out. How can someone work like this? The test gear and tools and parts bins seem to get laid out like a shop or trophy display and there is often little or no room left to do much in the way of useful work.QuotePut yourself first and try and make the work environment less fatiguing. This means a decent and well adjusted chair, correct bench height and distance to the work, good lighting and a decent microscope/viewer.I wouldn't advise soldering for hours at a time even with breaks. I'd try and spread it over a few days if possible. Definitely look at fume extraction if you do this much soldering.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 01:09:24 am
content: Ergonomics matters as much in an office environment at a desk as it does at a home work bench. Ironically, "supportive" chairs are not the best. They encourage you to slouch into them, which stretches your ligaments and compresses your joints. Better is a stool, or even a yoga ball. Each of these keeps your muscles active and toned and forces you to think about balance. If you try to slouch into a yoga ball you will fall off it

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 02:08:19 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on November 26, 2014, 11:19:42 pmSame here, at work but not at home.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 03:24:30 am
content: Prevention is better than cure. Light, temperature, layout, furnitures, etc etc. as what others have put them in more details.The next thing I am forcing myself is do is Tidying. As much as possible. Everyone here likely suffer from over concentration when come to work and PLAY. After my massager has relocated, my pain returns. Lately, I am using the roller foam to straighten and relax the muscles. The roller is much more effective than the massage chair. Strongly recommended, does not take up space and you can control how painful you want the deep massage you need.