What is Internal Shoulder Rotation?

Most desk workers don’t realize they have excessive muscle tension that’s causing weak, limited, internal shoulder rotation. I was years into my good computer posture journey before I accidentally learned, in a CrossFit class, how limited my internal shoulder rotation used to be. The internal shoulder rotation definition is when the joint rotates toward the front, vertical midline of the body.

Sitting Posture Blogger Todd share Internal Shoulder Rotation - in photo: woman with shoulder pain
What is internal shoulder rotation? Photo by 9nongphoto via Megapixl.

Internal shoulder rotation can be a very good thing to have in our physical strength tool box. However, our muscles and tendons weren’t designed to hold the exact same position for long periods of time. We’re able to do it, but there’s a price to pay. In my experience, that price consisted of muscle tension, decreased blood flow, and chronic pain.

Limited internal shoulder rotation causes can vary from a wide range of actions. Common causes are holding a baby consistently, or using a phone or tablet for long periods of time. But as desk workers, the limited internal shoulder rotation act that causes the most pain is using a keyboard and mouse for 8 hours a day.

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Standing Desk Posture Mistakes and Fixes

In addition to sitting posture, correct standing desk posture is a healthy ergonomic habit for me. Sitting isn’t the only enemy. Repetitive strain and overuse injuries are the enemy. These occur when we work in the same position for long periods of time, 8 hours a day. Regardless if we are sitting or standing.

At my previous desk job, poor computer posture led to increased risk of muscle tension, decreased blood flow, and chronic pain. But, even if we have good computer posture, repetitive strain and overuse injuries can still happen. So, switching between sit to stand positions throughout the day has been beneficial to my physical health, mental clarity, and work productivity.

Standing desk posture mistakes and fixes. Photo by andreypopov via Megapixl.

This article will talk about different posture mistakes I used to make. Then, I’ll talk about how I fixed those poor posture mistakes. I learned the hard way. Now, I enjoy sharing my experience to help others. So they can avoid the pain and dysfunction I got from working at a computer 8 hours a day.

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Good Computer Posture Habits

Computer posture can be a very boring and painful topic. I try to create content that is open-minded, relatable, and actionable. I talk about good computer posture habits that have helped me live a higher quality, sedentary lifestyle.

Sitting Posture sharing Good Computer Posture Habits - in photo: illustration of a person properly using the computer
Good computer posture habits. Image by Burlesck via Megapixl.

By improving our computer posture, the specific goals of my website are to help the user:

  • decrease computer-related pain
  • increase energy
  • improve mental clarity
  • increase work productivity

99% of the content I write is free of cost. Everything I write relates to improving computer posture. Feel free to share this article with a friend or family member who sits at a computer for a living. The more people that see my content, I more ability it gives me to create more. Thank you very much for your support.

The best way to keep up with my work is to sign up for my Computer Posture Newsletter. It contains easy, actionable ways to improve computer posture. It’s free. Unsubscribe anytime. You can sign up here.

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What are Good Computer Ergonomics?

Posture is the position people hold their bodies in at their computer desk. But the definition of ergonomics is: the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment. Ergonomics is a much wider topic than posture. Computer posture only takes place while we’re at work. Ergonomics do take place at work, but there are also some crucial variables that can be practiced away from our desk.

This article will talk about healthy habits other than posture. But these healthy, ergonomic habits are directly related to how good (or bad) our computer posture is the next day. Specifically, this article will cover, nutrition, hydration, breathing, and sleep.

What are good computer ergonomics? Photo by Igor Omilaev via Unsplash.

Poor computer posture broke my body down, both physically and mentally. But what caused me to have poor posture? It didn’t start off poor when I began sitting at a computer in 2002. It gradually got worse over time.

I also didn’t sit with terrible posture when I got to work each morning. It always started off decent. My posture got worse as each day went on.

After learning as much as I could about good computer posture, I felt like holding a good position at my desk was an uphill battle. I started thinking about what other health habits, aside from posture, were involved with computer ergonomics.

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What is Correct Computer Posture?

There are a lot of variables involved when it comes to correct computer posture. In this article, I’m going to share my 3 most important office posture tips. All 3 of these posture cues will remain the same, regardless if we’re working in a healthy sitting posture at a desk, or a standing ergonomic workstation setup.

Sitting Posture Blogger Todd shares What is Correct Computer Posture - in photo: woman holding her neck wile using her laptop
What is correct computer posture? Continue reading this article to see what laptop ergonomics mistake this user is making. Photo by Motortion via Megapixl.

This article is not professional medical advice. It’s based off my personal experience and opinions. For years, my poor computer posture caused muscle tension, inflammation, and chronic pain. All the workplace ergonomic tips I write about are directly related to improving posture at a computer. We are our own primary caretakers. Do your research. Make good decisions. And be the best advocate possible for your own healthcare.

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How to Prevent Knee Pain When Sitting

I first experienced knee pain back in 2011. I thought it was from overtraining while running and lifting weights. Both of my knees were in a lot of pain. I stopped training all together for 6 months. My knee pain didn’t decrease at all over that period of time.

How to Prevent Knee Pain When Sitting: illustration of a person experiencing knee pain
How to prevent knee pain when sitting. Photo by wavebreakmediamicro via Megapixl.

One thing that didn’t change over those 6 months, I was still working in a sitting posture at a computer for long periods of time. The running and lifting weights may have been contributed to my knee pain, but my poor computer posture was the main cause that started it. It caused tight, overused muscles in my legs. Which led to dysfunction of my knee. The tendons attaching my leg muscles to the bone in my knees became inflamed and painful. This knee pain was an effect of my poor sitting posture.

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Can Chiropractic Care Improve Your Computer Posture?

I’m always trying different ways to improve my computer posture. But chiropractic care is something I’ve been taking advantage of for many years. I started going to a chiropractor back in 2005. In my experience, chiropractic care has definitely improved my computer posture.

Chiropractic Care: person getting a massage on his neck
Can chiropractic care improve your computer posture? Photo by vectorfusionart via Megapixl.

My body gets pulled out of alignment on a daily basis. In addition to sitting at a computer for hours a day, working at my standing desk also causes computer-related pain. Sitting isn’t the only enemy when it comes to computer ergonomics. Working in the same vulnerable position for long periods of time is what causes repetitive strain and overuse injuries, regardless if we’re sitting or standing.

When my muscles get overused and tight, they pull on the tendons that attach muscle to bones. The tendons then pull the bones out of alignment. Right now, I go to my chiropractor once a week on average, regardless if I’m in pain or not. I don’t plan on going once a week forever. That’s just the amount of chiropractic treatment that’s best for me right now with my current healing practice. The longer I put off going to a chiropractor, the more I suffer from muscle tension and pain.

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Office Ergonomics: The Optimal Computer Posture Newsletter

I started my career at a computer desk in 2002. That’s when I first worked in sitting posture for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. By 2011, my computer posture was terrible and my body was broken. I’ve been an athlete all my life. But the damage caused by sitting at a computer was very hard to accept physically.

Office Ergonomics: illustration of a person using the computer properly while sitting down and standing
Free Computer Posture Newsletter by Todd Bowen. Photo by Reneshia via Megapixl.

That year (2011), I’d had enough. I decided I was going to learn as much as I could about what causes poor computer posture. And I was going to adopt every possible healthy habit that would improve my computer posture. I would quickly learn that good computer posture doesn’t only happen while we’re physically at our computer desk. Other ergonomic variables that directly affect our computer posture are sleep quality, hydration, nutrition, and breathing.

I’m writing this article to show samples of the desk posture tips I share in my Computer Posture Newsletter. My email newsletter is free. And you can always unsubscribe easily by clicking one button at the bottom of any of my emails. Click here to sign up.

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Top Recovery Tools for Better Posture

There’s an extensive amount of health risks that go with sitting at a computer for 8 hours a day. My main computer posture problem was decreased blood flow. Some of our muscles and tendons are working overtime in an attempt at good computer posture. The rest of our muscles and tendons are deactivated, pulling our body into poor computer posture.

Because of this, I’m always on the lookout for different methods of muscle tension relief. I’m always trying different methods of posture recovery for desk workers who are also athletes. I’m writing this article to share my 4 top recovery tools for better posture. There are tons of posture support gadgets out there. But in my experience as an athlete who sits at a computer for long periods of time, these are the best posture improvement tools I’ve used.

The Hypervolt Massage Gun is one of my favorite muscle recovery tools for posture improvement.

All of the posture correction devices in this article gave me a different experience. But, they all provide a number of health benefits that make improved computer posture possible. These health benefits are increased blood flow, improved range of motion, reduced muscle soreness, faster muscle recovery, improved mental clarity, and better sleep quality. All of these of are important variables for non-invasive posture correction. All of the posture improvement devices in this article are portable, except for the Eight Sleep Pod (Mattress) Cover.

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Sleep Habits for Better Posture

Sleep is one of the most important variables of computer ergonomics. Other variables include posture, breathing, hydration, and nutrition. Ergonomics means the study of people’s efficiency in their work environment. Even though we don’t sleep while we’re at work, sleep quality from the night before directly relates to how good or bad our computer posture is the next day.

Sleep habits for Better Posture. Photo by Kaspiic via Megapixl.

The earlier in the day we get tired, the more our computer posture suffers. The better our sleep quality is, the more energy we have the next day. More energy allows better computer posture. Good computer posture is critical for high work productivity. This is how sleep quality and posture directly lead to health benefits and good computer ergonomics.

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Foods That Promote Good Posture

Ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment. As office workers, computer ergonomics extend outside of the time we’re physically at our desk. I consider nutrient-dense foods an important variable of my computer posture. Because the healthier we are when we sit at our desk in the morning, the better our computer posture will be. If we’ve been eating unhealthy foods that have dozens of artificial ingredients, our strength, energy, and computer posture will suffer much earlier in the day. Nutrition for better posture is an important variable of my computer ergonomics process.

Foods That Promote Good Posture: meat
Foods that promote good posture. Photo by Koss13 via Megapixl.

Sitting at a computer for 8 hours a day is an endurance event. Some of our muscles and tendons are excessively overused in an attempt for good posture. The rest of our muscles and tendons are underused for long periods of time. They are hardly activated at all while we’re at our computer.

After this endurance event we call a work day, we go straight to the gym, run, or play sports. For years, I’d do this 5 days a week, while eating ultra-processed, nutrient-deficient foods everyday. This bad nutrition habit led to very increased risk of poor computer posture.

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Why Does Sitting at a Computer Cause Shoulder Pain?

When it comes to sitting posture ergonomics, back pain is the most common work-related injury. In my experience, this was definitely true. However, shoulder pain was in a close second place.

Why Does Sitting at a Computer Cause Shoulder Pain: person experiencing shoulder pain
Why Does Sitting at a Computer Cause Shoulder Pain? Photo by Andreypopov via Megapixl.

But why does sitting at a computer cause shoulder pain? It’s not like we’re doing overheard shoulder presses at our computer desk. We’re not using our arm to throw a fastball. We’re not even pushing open a heavy door. Also, we’re simply sitting at a computer, holding a keyboard and mouse for 8 hours a day.

But that’s the answer. Our bodies were made to move. They’re designed to be athletic, strong, and flexible. We weren’t made to hold the exact same position for 8 hours a day. Especially if it’s a compromised, poor posture position at a computer. This can cause repetitive stress injuries. These overuse injuries cause chronic muscle tension that is very stubborn and hard to relieve. It takes much longer to release this muscle tension. Longer than it would to relieve normal muscle tension you’d get from sports or exercise.

Continue reading Why Does Sitting at a Computer Cause Shoulder Pain?

Standing Desk Accessories

I recently wrote an article titled, Standing Desk Posture Tips. While writing it, I realized that going from a sitting posture workstation to a standing desk only requires 3 accessories. These accessories will also allow alternating between sitting and standing. Because we don’t want to go from sitting posture all day, straight to standing posture all day. We’d just have different computer-related injuries.

Standing Desk Accessories: illustration of a person using a standing desk
Standing desk accessories. Photo by Reneshia via Megapixl.

Sitting at a computer isn’t the enemy here. Working in the same position for 8 hours a day is the enemy we want to avoid. This is why poor computer posture creates so much muscle tension and chronic pain. Repetitive strain and overuse injuries don’t care what position we are working in. They care about how long we continue to work in that same compromised, vulnerable position.

We don’t want to sit, or stand, for long periods of time. Even if it is proper standing posture. I like to switch positions often, alternating sitting and standing posture. I’m dedicating this article to the 3 standing desk accessories that make a sit-stand desk transition quick and easy.

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Standing Desk Posture Tips

I started using a standing computer desk in 2012. Working in a sitting posture for long periods of time had left my body broken from poor posture. I had to figure out a way to work in a different position. So naturally, I decided to try a standing desk. But I had no idea what a proper standing posture was. And I made plenty of standing posture mistakes in the beginning.

Today, I’ve finally got my ergonomic standing position figured out. And I want to help you save time and energy, by sharing my standing desk posture tips to help you reduce computer-related injuries.

Standing Desk Posture Tips: woman using a standing desk while working on her computer
Standing Desk Posture Tips. Photo by thestandingdesk via Unsplash (not paid promotion).

A lot of ergonomics experts will create a standing desk height calculator. It’s a chart that decides the desk height and monitor height according to how tall the user is. Personally, I don’t think a standing desk height calculator is necessary. I like to take a more organic approach to figuring out standing desk ergonomics.

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Why Does Sitting Cause Lower Back Pain?

My lower back pain caused by sitting was very difficult to figure out. It’s not like we’re really using our lower back when we’re sitting at a computer for long periods of time. We’re not carrying a heavy load. We’re not subject to a hard fall or impact. We’re not even absorbing soft and repetitive impact, like when running. These are all typical situations where a lower back injury is common.

Why does sitting cause lower back pain? Photo by Fizkes via Megapixl.

But there is often a cause/effect relationship when troubleshooting sitting-related injuries. In this case, lower back pain is the poor posture effect. But the cause is located in other areas of the body.

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Good Posture Habits for Computer Users

Sitting at a computer for long periods of time takes a massive toll on our health. It doesn’t just affect us physically. It also affects us mentally. A full-time computer job requiring 8 hours a day quickly adds up to 40 hours a week. Multiply that by 52 weeks in a year. That gives us over 2,000 hours per year of sitting in a broken, vulnerable, poor posture.

Good Posture Habits for Computer Users: woman using the computer
Good posture habits for computer users. Photo by Fizkes via Megapixl.

But how can I improve my computer posture? How can I turn my computer workstation into an ergonomic asset that promotes good posture? Instead of a computer desk that’s a liability for my physical and mental health.

So, I’m dedicating this article to explain how to make an ergonomic computer workstation. I’ll explain good posture habits for computer users to include in their daily routine. All the tips in this article will promote good computer ergonomics at home or in the office.

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How to Avoid Wrist Pain from Typing

I used to suffer a lot of wrist pain from typing. This is commonly known as carpal tunnel syndrome. I couldn’t figure out why, or what I was doing wrong. I just thought wrist pain was something that came along with the computer posture territory.

How to Avoid Wrist Pain from Typing
How to Avoid Wrist Pain from Typing. Photo by Maska82 via MegaPixl.

Luckily, I finally figured it out (by accident). One day, I decided to get away from my home office. I still wanted to work, but I needed a new environment to work in. Maybe it would improve my posture. Or, at least change it from the normal poor posture routine I was in. But mainly I was looking for a more ergonomic workstation. I wanted to see if my creativity would improve by working in a different environment. So, for about a week, I started working in the lobby of my apartment building. They had public computers there. They were brand new Apple Mac desktop computers.

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Ways to Improve Computer Posture

I’ve been working in a sitting posture at a computer since 2001. Ten years into my career (2011), I had poor posture and my body was broken. Also, I lacked healthy blood flow throughout my body. My physical energy was low. I was constantly tired, no matter how much I slept the night before. My mental clarity was also very low. My productivity struggled at work.

3 Ways to Improve Computer Posture Immediately! ebook by Todd Bowen

Since 2011, I’ve learned as many desk ergonomic tips as possible. I wanted to prevent computer neck pain. Also, I wanted to reduce back pain from sitting. So, I wanted to create an ergonomic workplace setup that was an asset to my health, not a liability.

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How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Wrist pain from typing can be a stubborn, poor posture mistake to fix. However, having pain-free wrists while typing is a very possible reality. It only took 2 changes to my ergonomic workstation and 2 corrections to my poor computer posture.

How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: hand with carpal tunnel syndrome
How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Photo by Peerayot via Megapixl.

First, this article will explain the computer posture mistakes that caused my wrist pain. Then, it will go over how I fixed my wrist pain caused by typing. It will talk about the good computer posture habits I used, as well as the best ergonomic devices for carpal tunnel syndrome that I purchased.

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How to Avoid Shoulder Pain at a Computer

Using poor posture on a computer keyboard and mouse caused lack of blood flow and muscle tension in both of my shoulders. I’d hold these vulnerable positions for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. That went on for about 12 years before I finally took accountability for my poor computer posture.

How to Avoid Shoulder Pain at a Computer

In 2011, I started studying good computer posture and workstation ergonomics. I was interested in anything wellness related that had a positive effect on my computer posture. In this article, I’m going to talk about a few good posture tips that’ve helped me reduce shoulder tension and pain from typing and using a mouse.

How to Avoid Shoulder Pain at a Computer by Sitting Posture: in image is a person holding his shoulders
How to Avoid Shoulder Pain at a Computer. Photo by andreypopov via Megapixl.

Quick side note, I’m working at my standing computer workstation today. But all the computer shoulder pain relief tips in this article are general shoulder ergonomics for computer work in any position. They all apply, regardless if we’re working in a standing or sitting posture.

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