Blue Moon Blog

The health of your back is crucial for any person sitting at work all day, so artists certainly qualify, as we spend long hours at the computer screen and/or drawing board hour after hour, day after day, year after year. This can be a concern particularly for those of us getting a little longer in the tooth, so I do a few things that help me prevent and alleviate back pain, and build up core muscles, which you might find of help.

Ergonomic Kneeling Chair

I must’ve felt some back pain in my early twenties at the start of my career, as I bought one of those Swedish kneeling chairs. That first kneeler was but a cheap fifty dollar model. There wasn’t much to it, just some wood slapped together with a couple pads on it, but I got a few years out of it. And when it broke, I invested in the more expensive model I use to this day. Spread out over more than twenty years, the $400.00 I spent in the mid-80s has ended up costing me about $20.00 a year.

A kneeling chair helps you keep your back straight and achieve better posture while sitting, a big plus during (and to lengthen) prolonged periods. The design of the chair transfers weight and pressure from the lower back to the knees, helping relieve stress. In the past when working on site at advertising agencies, stuck in a typical chair, I’ve experienced massive back pain by the mid-afternoon, forcing breaks to stand up, stretch and straighten. I really feel it when not using my kneeling chair.

This ergonomic kneeling chair is similar to the model I use, with the added bonus of newer Tempur® pressure-relieving material (memory foam) inside the seat and knee pads. Also available is the optional backrest for extra support. I recommend a strong steel model like this one with five rotating legs and nylon casters. Setting ones toes against the legs helps provide stability and movement. It comes with a height adjustable gas lift, so you can set it to your preferred height.

This is a chair I may be ordering soon while augmenting my studio, although this Swopper is intriguing and demands more looking into. Here’s a fine, expansive Swopper review.

Relieving Pain

I received as a gift this past Christmas a Homedics Shiatsu Cushion, about which I was initially skeptical. The first round or two seemed a bit harsh, but now I find it to be a godsend. A couple rollers within the cushion undulate up and down your back for a deep massage (with heat) that feels great. For those rough days when I need something extra to help get me through, beyond the more preventative chair and exercises, the massage cushion takes out the kinks so I can get back to work.

For an extra touch, some time in a hot tub never hurts and surely relaxes. Whether at home or at the fitness center or spa, those jets loosen things up after a long day.

Build the Core: Exercises

Far more important than siting in a hot tub, it’s essential to strengthen your core, meaning the muscles in your middle: the lower back and stomach muscles. I try to do both these exercises daily on my Bowflex: the low back row and resisted ab crunch. The latter comes in handy on those days when I’m feeling pain despite the kneeling chair; three quick sets usually clears it right up. Variations of these exercises can be done without a Bowflex, of course. Keep up regularly exercises like these and over time you’ll build up those muscles, sit straight more easily, improve posture and feel better in general.

Weight Loss

Extra weight puts pressure on and weakens your lower and back. I’m no one to preach on this subject, as I’ve work to do (a-hem), but if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, try to shed some and give your back a break.