Neck/back pain

[Bruv119]

How did you raise it? my screen is a flat screen monitor.

yellow pages?

[pervert]

Good idea!  might be able to fit that on, its one of those stupid all in one computer desks so not much room if I want to fit stick and mouse on 

[TwinBoom]

How did you raise it? my screen is a flat screen monitor.

get creative i made a little pedestal to elevate it from a old shelf

[Steve]

If you get this any time you sit at the computer for extended periods is most likely your monitor height.

+1  big time.

[Murdr]

I have a nerve problem if i hold my arm streched out with my hand on the throtle my left side of face will go numb.

I can only put hand on throtle if  in a dogfight. If the dogfight last long enough Ill end if with a numb face.

Same thing when I drive if I grip the wheel hard for to long.

I attached a shelf to my chair for the throttle to sit where my hand naturally rests...

[EskimoJoe]

If you have a computer chair, you could also try lowering your seat a bit.

[JunkyII]

Waystin is correct about the rudder butt, I take my feet off them when Im not in combat to stretch my legs. Way likes to "got to the garage" every half an hour or so for some extra curricular activities

Murdr very cool set up, I saw someone made places for their throttle and stick with pvc pipes, very high speed

 

[pervert]

get creative i made a little pedestal to elevate it from a old shelf

Twin I suck at diy m8 if I tried that my next post would be something like flying without fingers, or how do I remove a nail from my hand 

[TequilaChaser]

as for the raising the monitor.... my monitorr ( Dell UltraSharp LCD ) has tilt and slide up/down bracket/stand that came with it......

yes mine is slide up to where sitting level the center of my eyes straight forward is exactly 2.5 inches down from the top of the monitor screen edge ( not talking about the outside bezel, talking about the screen itself )...yes I have used this setup of monitor for years just for the reason of keeping my neck/head level or at a slight downward angle....it works for me....

You know how it feels when your leg goes to sleep, or hand , or arm? well imagine your arm just being dead weight..no numbness or tingling feeling ..you feel nothing ! That is what I experience on a daily/nightly basis never knowing when it is going to pop up......the first 6 months to a year when I 1st tore my rotator cuff it was so scarey I would be freaking out waking up in middle of the night searching for my arm/hand as if it had been removed/blown off etc..... that crap will bring fear and tears until you become accustomed to it

My Doctors tryed to gt me to file disability since 2003..... I struggled and fought it off until 1st week of Last December when my Nuerosurgeon/nuerologist insisted begged pleaded for me to finally go on disability........

I love the game, love trying to help others, etc..... but I have been limited in my ability for awhile and the worst part is the damn depression of it all....

if I can think of any more tips, I'll post them but sometimes those fancy/plush desk chairs are TOO Soft..sometimes a firm chair with a firm to stiff chair back with less lean in it helps ( along with the firm pillow for lumbar support....

the getting up and walking every 30 to 45 minutes to the fridge or kitchen and getting some water truly helps.....

having your controls ( Throttle/stick/pedals/keyboard setting to close to you and your arms being bunched up in close is just as rough onyou as having them to far away to where you stretched out nearly complete for reaching them....

sitting with your chair TOO HIgh will cut off circulation on bottom side of your legs/back of knee due to pinching . having chair too low will cause legs/muscles to stiffen up and ach because they are bent at the knees...so try and have them comfortably setting level....

When I don't fall asleep and dont forget its FSO time.I will endure the 2hrs it sometimes take to fly wih my Damned Squaddies.......

but my medical stuff is what it is........  they wanted to do surgery on me back in 04....... at 120grand and telling me probable 15% chance it would take the pain away vs 50/50 chance paralyzed from neck down .I told em no thank you.....

When I 1st injured my neck/shoulder/rotator cuff & arm/nerve damage the idiots sent me/ordered me to a Chropractor thru the WC ins co..... for 4 months I was being hurt worser than I was originally.before they said , oh we made amistake.you should have went to a orthopedic 1st.....

just got to grin and bear it.....stuff happens.....

sorry for the rant........  but alot of good tips have come from all the posts in this thread......

hopefully alot of you can find some extra comfort from the tips....... 

[TwinBoom]

Twin I suck at diy m8 if I tried that my next post would be something like flying without fingers, or how do I remove a nail from my hand  

  hmm use a soda crate or small wooden box

[Bizman]

Oh, I just remembered another thing, that used to give me back pain: Too much sitting! When you sit in the same position for a long time, knees at an angle, your gluteus (or should it be rear thigh muscles) tend to keep their compressed state. When you then stand up, you either have to stand like Dagwood or bow your back. If you try to straighten yourself, the shortened gluteus have to compensate in weaker muscles, which are in your lower back. Ouch! A physiotherapist/manipulator can help with muscular lockups, but the real cure is to stretch the rear thigh muscles. Here's how: Lie on your back, grab your foot with your hand, or use a belt/towel/rope as an extension if needed. Knees should be rather straight. Keep the position for at least half a minute for a leg because the muscles you are stretching are amongst the biggest ones you'll ever have. Look at the picture:

[NCLawman]

Having worked in Sports Medicine for many years (prior life)  , we used to call it School Teacher Syndrome.  Basically, it is muscle and joint soreness from sitting for extended periods with the shoulders hunched forward and head slightly forward or down.  Teachers (back in the day) used to suffer from this sort of pain after being hunched over their desk grading papers for too long.

The key is better posture while playing the game and as others pointed out, you must take breaks.  You may also be adding to the problem by being over tense while at the stick.  In addition to posture, you will have to learn to relax your neck and shoulders, then take a few advil (ibuprofen) after extended hours of gaming.

The other alternative is a good massage, but I am not sure if you will be able to get any 'sympathy puddin' from the wife for injuries suffered while gaming