Arggh, I'm in pain

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On Sunday evening, my lower back started hurting. I hadn't done any exercise that day that could have caused it, nor did I notice an exact moment when it started. I have a strong suspicion it is from too much sitting. At the computer. Doing things like reading and writing steemit posts. Something I love to do.

I shifted around on my chair, tried different tables and put the laptop in my lap. It just got worse.

Source: pixabay

Ok, I admit, that picture is a bit over the top, it isn't quite as bad. It does pull down to my hips, butt and thighs though but luckily, my neck is fine.

Due to my chronic hep B I'm probably a bit too cautious about pain killers. I avoid them unless the pain is unbearable. It wasn't bad enough for that but it was bad enough to keep me off the computer for almost three days.

A psychosomatic element?

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While I strongly suspect my chair as the main culprit, it just so happened that I got a phone call from my dad, eerily coinciding with the pain. My mum who had touch-and-go heart surgery three years ago, and was told at the time that any future anaesthesia would be too risky, was in hospital. They thought she needed surgery. It was a tense few days.

A few hours ago I learned that she responded well to the drugs they had given her and therefore, the surgery can be postponed. Phew! Lucky escape. For now. But she is elderly and she is frail, so basically I have to be prepared to make the long trip from Australia to Switzerland at any time, under circumstances you don't want to make a trip. Ever.

I'm generally pretty good at relaxation, mindfulness and looking after myself but I guess this situation is still a constant source of stress in the back of my mind, or just in my back. Maybe it was enough on Sunday night to give me that backache.

Cutting to the chase

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The pain has somewhat receded by now (due to the break in computer time or softening of alarm bells I don't know, probably both) but I can feel it crawling up my backside and spine again the longer I sit on this blooming chair. I'm going to have to hurry this post up.

So here's my plea for advice:

What are you sitting on?

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I would wildly appreciate to hear about or see your chairs or other sitting options that DO NOT MAKE YOUR BACK HURT!

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This here is my chair with my handsome Harry cat on it (and no, I do not use him as a cushion, haha). I thought it wasn't a bad chair but maybe some of you know more about ergonomics than I do. Most of all, I'm simply interested in your experiences of back-friendly sitting.

Just quickly: Why I didn't make this into an #ulog

I like the idea of ulogs but I'm still not quite clear about what constitutes one. First it sounded very easy, then I got the impression that ulogs are mainly meant to be in video form, and they are meant to be a daily thing. I'm not doing videos (yet) and I won't commit to anything daily, partly because that impacts on my freedom but mainly because I will always have random times when I feel like staying off the computer or off the internet entirely. If it's okay to do occasional Ulogs then I will gladly do that, when what I want to write feels like a Ulog (as is stated in the instructions). But this didn't really, so I didn't use the tag this time.

Anyway, thanks in advance for your suggestions about pain-free sitting.

As usual, a warm thank you to @welcomewagon and @teamaustralia for your support, and @dreemsteem, @andysantics, @eveningart and many others for your friendship, caring and wonderful interaction here on @steemit. I appreciate every single word from you that is directed at me, or not. Basically, everything you write or say is interesting to me. Much love xxx

I'm also a big fan of @dustsweeper who is supporting planktons and minnows. Sign up if you haven't yet.

Have a good rest of the week!
Peace always, Y. xxx