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working at desk and work table

jandres
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09/22/2014 - 12:46pm
working at desk and work table

Hi,
I am an engineer and a woodworking hobbyist. I have been having some problems when trying to sit at my desk and do math and things which dont require doing computer work and have tried to stack sit to a degree but this is hard since i have to look down to lean over and look down to do my work. Also when I am working on my workbench I have difficulty standing properly if I have to lean over to work on a piece. I have tried working more on the floor in a seiza position and this works to a certain degree but i find myself having similar problems. does anybody have any suggestions or things that have worked for them.
thanks in advance!

jon.ladiges
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03/21/2016 - 6:17am

Moving this post to the appropriate forum for feedback on using a desk.

2amysmith's picture
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12/05/2013 - 11:02am

Hello-

I think the key for you would be trying a standing desk and hip hinge when you need to be over an object. Please review how to hip hinge in 8 Steps to a Painfree Back so that you do not have a sway in your back. 

This is a great electric standing desk that lets you get up close as there is a cut out. 

http://astore.amazon.com/amysmithhealt-20/detail/B013KWMWLO

I wish you well and if you have not taken the Gokhale Method Foundations course, please do. 

Amy Smith, RN

Gokhale Method Teacher

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04/19/2012 - 12:18pm

I second Amy's suggestion to hip hinge. Often when I paint / draw I won't use an easel and will instead work on a flat desk and hip hinge to get closer to my work. Resting  my forearms / elbows on the desk while hinging provides me with extra support. 

jandres
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09/22/2014 - 12:46pm

thanks for the help!
I am going to try working on a lower desk while hip hinging on my fore arms as mentioned. the problem with standing desks at least for me is that I do a large majority of my work with pencil and paper. this require me to always be looking down. standing desks work great for people that look straight ahead at a computer screen at eye level. I have considered a drafting desk so I don't look down as much. also when at a work bench I need to look down to see what I am doing which causes pain after a while and in this case it is pretty impractical to hip hinge while carefully trying to use dangerous tools not to mention the fact that the bench is at abdomen level.
thanks again!

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