This can’t be a novel problem. Most everyone here probably sits for extended periods of time every day. For me, it causes back pain, especially with the crappy chair I sit on for hours straight. It sucks sooo bad. Probably 70% of the problem is the chair as I sat for even longer periods of time during my internship this summer (they had fantastic ergonomic chairs) and had minimal pain.
I’m a broke college kid, what can I do to fix this? What’s worked for you guys? Standing and studying doesn’t work out all that well…
Yeah, it’s all about the core. I threw out my lower back shortly after I moved a couple years ago. After all the boxes and furniture it was just bending down to tie my shoes that finally got me. Back pain sucks.
Anyway, while I’m always a huge proponent of vicodin it’s not a long-term solution. Google “core workout” and you’ll get plenty of results. Men’s Health has a few good ones. Do them four or five times a week for a month. After that you should be able to go down to 1-2 times a week and be fine. Haven’t had back problems since.
Do some superman’s (google it) these make my back feel like a million bucks. Streghtening your core its really the key, I used to have constanst lower back aches until I started working my core.
Also, get a firm mattress. Dont get a temperpedic or whatever Blake recommended… banging chicks on those is impossible because they absorb your bodyweight, its like running on the beach- PITA.
My back has become curved. The muscles on one side of my back are really tense, and the other side is weak. It’s not scoliosis, but an odd muscle problem.
I need to figure out how to strengthen all these muscles.
There is also a superman sex position, which you can look up but advisably not at work. Apparently there is a male Japanese pornstar who is famous for this.
Agree with others on core strengthening. I had a couple herniating discs in my back for which I had to receive epidural injections a few years ago. It had to do with sports-related injuries that were exacerbated by sitting in a desk all day.
The key to my getting better quickly was pilates and yoga. Yoga is way harder than it looks, especially hot yoga, but think about it this way – you get to spend an hour getting a great workout, your back will feel much better within a few weeks, and you’ll likely be surrounded by bangnin’ hot women wearing their favorite Lululemon attire.
^ Agreed on the foam roller. It’s also great for stretching out tight muscles in your hamstrings, quads, calves, etc.
brain_wash_your_face, wanted to follow up with you about my buy-side related questions on another thread. Would you be able to drop me an email at numi.advisory@gmail.com sometime? Feel free to write me from an anonymous username if you prefer. Thanks a lot.
I have to agree with all the info above - I herniated a disc squatting / rolling. I was able to recovery fully by incorporating different core exercises (i.e birddog / supermman as opposed to the traditional exercises). Addtionally, I found foam rolling very helpful too
Foam rollers are wicked for stretching out the pain when it happens, and I completely agree with whoever mentioned the firm bed. I subletted an apartment for my last semester of school and the bed there was super soft (pillow top and all that) - my back was killing me the whole time. When I moved out I managed to get my parents to give me my old bed which is pretty much as firm as a plank of wood with a rug on top of it. No back pain at all since then.
Sure Numi, will do. I like to remain anonymous on this board since if people know who I am then my firm would have issues with me posting investment related opinions as it could be contrued as advice from the firm.
You got a long way to go little pup. I see you’re a L1 candidate. Get your back right early or you’ll have big problems later down the road. Here is my advice.