Lower Back & Left Leg Pain at Work

TomokoAdhami

suki1964 said:

You need to raise your lap top and adjust your seating 

Walking everyday will actually help with sciatica . Im knackered after a day in work but even a mile brisk walk keeps me mobile

When I was office based I had two desk heights, one I could stand at, the other I sat at with foot rest and screen raised and an ergonomic keypad. Occupational health can be asked to do an assessment for you and your work station

Even something like a towel rolled and placed in the small of your back will help with posture

Yes, the walk would help me. I am also thinking to use laptop riser and even thinking to use any desk where I can work in a standing position. I didn't try a towel but have used cushions on the seat and under my left leg and it worked. 

josephine82

Definitely advise asking work to arrange an occupational health Display Screen Equipment assessment. 

If you can get an external keyboard and mouse you can rise your laptop up on anything (I’m at home and have mine on a pile of cookbooks right now) to bring it up to eye height. 

Do work have a spare external monitor- this could improve things too. 

I suffered from muscular pain with sitting for a long time and the only thing that improved it was strengthening and improving my posture- which I did via Pilates and yoga, which mostly focused on strengthening bum and hip muscles. Can you get a referral to a physio? Even a video consultation would be beneficial as they could show you excersises. 

You could download software for your PC to remind you to get up and stretch every hour, or set an alarm on your phone. 

Definitely keep moving, even a short 20 min walk a lunchtime will help. 

Good luck! 

Socajam

jonnygee2 said:

I work on my own laptop and usually look down on the screen

In that case back pain is almost inevitable.

You do indeed need a laptop riser. You want an external keyboard and mouse, the screen at eye level. Ideally, you want an external monitor to plug into. Appreciate the company doesn't want to invest atm, but a riser, external keyboard and mouse could be found for £20 - £30. If the company won't stump up I'd buy them yourself it will make a huge difference.

I was thinking that an external monitor might be best too.
I agree with buying yourself - may not be ideal choice, but if you like the job and taking into account present circumstances, it makes sense.

jon81uk

By law (Display Screen Equipment regulations https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workplace/display.htm) they need to do a risk assessment on your set up and provide the relevant items to give you a safe set up.
As a minimum they should arrange a laptop riser, keyboard and mouse for you to work comfortably at from home.