Tablet makes my back hurt

[Kan Muftić]

Ok, I'm really having some serious pains in my back and I'm pretty sure it's because of my tablet. I have a fantastic chair and I sit properly but leaning my arm over the A4 tablet and hitting the keyboard which is behind the tablet brakes my back.
Does anyone have the same problem and, more important, what is to do?
Thanks,

[Chermilla]

Hmm, I get this problem when working for several hours on a piece because my lay out sounds very simular to yours, with my keyboard slightly elevated above the level of the tablet and behind it...however I use an A5 sized Wacom and not an A4. I can imagine that that extra space taken up by the tablet so the keyboard is further back would be the root cause of the back pains because you would have to reach over more.

How are you for desk space? Is the area kind of cramped or could you buy a larger computer desk so that you can have your wacom parallel to the keyboard so that they are side by side with some space inbetween, that way you don't have to reach over the tablet in a anyway.

The main reason I get back pains is because me computer chair is pretty poor, and the height adjuster is broken so I can't change the position of it!! I should really buy a new one but they are pretty expensive, plus theres postage costs for such a bulky object (I don't drive so couldnt transport it myself), shame because they got rid of a load of them at my office and we were allowed to take them home if we wanted. :/

The only other thing I can suggest what I tend to do is try and take a break from the screen and sitting down every two hours or so, walk around a bit, stretch out your back and legs and maybe get some fresh air if possible or make a cup of tea/coffee/water etc. Because my eyes start to ache also when sat in front of the screen for long periods of time.

Cx

[Kan Muftić]

Hi Chermilla,

Good point but I do all those things you mentioned. And putting keyboard aside to tablet wouldn't work - i would be stretching my arms too wide.
I even have to see the doctor 'cause in the late afternoon, pains become really strong and I can't even sit.
Crap.
Thanks anyway,
Khan

[Chermilla]

Wow that sounds pretty serious Khan! If you cant even sit. Especially if you are quite young. So I take it the doctor didn't help you in any way?

Because I do a job that requires me to sit in an office staring at TV and PC screens all day for long periods of time, a couple of months ago I was getting really bad agonising pains from my knee joints downwards, to the point where I had to go see a doctor. She recommended I try taking strong cod liver oil capsules (one each morning at work) as there was a 50/50 chance that it may help), if it didn't she gave me a form for a blood test and told me to have a blood sample taken so that they could find out why I was getting such bad pains.

I now take the cod liver oil each morning and all pains disappeared after around two weeks! I swear by the stuff now! So maybe try doing that to aid the joints and bones in your back area? It's worth a try anyway!!

Cx

[monstertree]

Yup, I have the same setup on my desk and get back pains from it - though nowhere near as bad as you're describing. My solution was to take the tablet off the table, and put it on my lap with the keyboard where the tablet used to be. That way I can reach the keyboard easily, draw, and most importantly sit in my chair properly.

Also if my back hurts loads, I lean back so my back is resting on the top of my chair or something similar, take a deep breath and exhale letting all my weight push my back on the object. My back cracks and feels instantly better.....though cod liver oil or doctor would probably be a better bet!

[Kan Muftić]

Thanks folks, that helps. I'll be cod liver oil addict, that's for sure.
Cheers,

[Robert.B]

Im pretty sure its not the tablet but the posture you guys asume when your in the creation zone. You might need to either adjust your chair, pull the tablet closer to your chest or get a table and chair and stop drawinng while hunched over like gollum worshiping the prescious.

[Kan Muftić]

Hahaha, that's right! I just been to doctor and she said I sprained muscle that holds the rib cage.
So it's not my tablet at the end.
I should probably do less boxing though...
Cheers,

[Chermilla]

NOW he mentions the boxing!!! Lol.