Porn is ruining my life.
 

Sort of.

I'm not as young as I once was and my heavy shooting schedule is starting to take a toll on my back. Then to add insult to injury, I come home with a back that is killing me, only to sit down and get online to hurt it some more along with my wrists.

In the USA I always had Herman Miller chairs or knock-offs of them. Everywhere I worked. (God bless Herman Miller and his copy cats) Now in Thailand, I am unable to find such a chair that isn't a total piece of cheap, Thai crap that would fall apart within a week.

It's (back pain) starting to dictate how I spend my day and I don't like it. A few more years of this and I will be in a wheelchair I'm pretty sure. Could be a mix of bad genetics and not bending properly when I shoot. Maybe I'm just out of shape and my stomach and back muscles are not support me well. Dunno. I try to bend at the knees and not the back, but when I'm finished shooting say 2 hardcore scenes, that night my back is pretty wasted and I feel like I was hit by a truck when I wake up the next morning.

I'd like to hear from some other producers who shoot video a lot, how they deal with this issue, or if it's an issue at all. Anyone ever try weight lifting belts or the back braces they use at warehouses to lift boxes?

:helpme

I have problems with my back since I am 18. I feel the pain 16 hours per day. Nothing helps.

Oh man. How did you injure it?

From about 15 - 20 I was a serious skateboarder. Half pipes and hardcore street skating. Skated almost all the time when I wasn't working. Now... my knees... OMFG... sometimes I want to cut my legs off they hurt so bad. My mom warned me that would happen, but I didn't listen. Doh! I also wonder sometimes that if my back is a delayed result from that as well. But it only hurts after I shoot so...

Epidural block spinal injections can help.

Shooting kept me fit and it should not be effecting your back. How do you stand, kneel or lay when you shoot?

not a producer but I'm in the same boat at the mo with my back from bad posture at the desk. My doctor gave me some excercises but they haven't completely cured things....

That just sounds scary.

sittups bro it will make you stomach tighter to keep it more symetrical, but wait till you hit 40, not to give you something to look forward to.

I do like the wheelchair porn idea

I try to bend at the knees and don't put the cam too far out there, try to keep it fairly tight so I don't have to extended any part of my body.

Only wrist pain here ........... back pain sure sounds like a bitch.... :(

Stop what you are doing and go buy a Herman Miller chair or a knock off of it. Spend the money, it will not be cheap, and adjust it properly with your desk. When I was in the USA, the chair alone helped me with all my webmaster desk woes.

Everyone should build their office around their chair and desk. Not around the computer. :2 cents:

40 is around the corner. But you're pretty fucking fit man. More fit than most 20 year olds.

sorry to hear that - i threw my back out for the first time in my life about 6 months ago - if there are people who have that kind of thing all the time I pity them, that's no life at all, i couldn't even wipe my ass without my back going into spasms that brought me to my knees. if i had a regular job of any kind there's no way i could have even made it to work.

i once knew a man who had crippling back pain for years - he took a shot with an acupuncturist and according to him it saved him from a miserable life.

i feel the same but im almost half your age lol.

Sorry to her about your back. I have sciatica so I know what back pain is. I took martial arts for a while and learned some breathing and movements that relieve the pain somewhat. It's always there though. Get one of those chairs shipped to you. or fly back here for the weekend and bring it back with you:)

You know what, that is exactly what I'm going to do. Whatever the shipping cost may be, it's worth it. You can't put a price on a good back.

Thank you.

What does your problem do? I don't know about it.

I had mine go out like that a few years ago. It was the worst. I was in bed for a week on pain killers.


Gasp!

The Asian setup definitely takes a toll. Everything is shorter and smaller than usual. If you get a good chair it doesn't mean shit because the desks are shorter too. I know it's ghetto but I recommend propping the desk up with some cylinder blocks or books or something and getting a decent chair. As for personal strength, daily pushups and situps will help a lot for some webmastering.

And it's gots to be cheap in Thailand! You could inject that into your arm and give yourself a stranger (if you don't die first).

eat vegitarian it lowers inflamation.

80mgs of oxycontin every 8 hours, call me in a week

Shooting is much more of a workout then most seem to think it is... I just did a 13 hour day shooting (big project) and fuck was I beat and sore all over after... That sony camera feels like it weighs about two tons by the end of the day...

Try dropping to your knees when you want a low shot. I think you might be leaning forward too much. Just guessing.

I used to design offices and work stations and that is so true. The Herman Miller chair is good.

Was it one like this?

http://www.paulmarkham.com/temp/craz...th_camera3.jpg

Those cameras on your shoulder were murder after a few hours.

We got what you need
 

Yep. told you on ICQ a couple of nights ago.
We got what you need here.
Drop by! We will get you all fixed up.!thumbsup

Porn is just a bitch :)

Sorry to hear that. :(
Do you have some free time, like twice a week or something to go for some easy sports.
Easy swimming could relax your back and water massage could be helpful in activating your back but not hurting it. :2 cents:

that sucks...


Im only 28, and everything is still working perfect. SO FAR!

Yeah sucks to work like that. Better head back to the office scene where some asshole that does not know his job or yours tells you that you are doing it wrong.

yeah you need a good chair for the desk work!

I have the pleasure to have 2 herniated disks in lower back.

Only time in my life I had 0 back problems was when I was living in Curacao. Canadian winters are hard on my back... I feel your pain DWB :-(

Porn can makes me go wilder and wilder!lol

i have the same problem:Oh crap

isn there a way to angle the viewfinder so you can watch from up above? i know the consumer-grade cams do that, not sure about yours, maybe theres an adapter if not? or maybe i have no idea about content production and i'll shaddup now

One word....YOGA....

Do it at least three times in the first week and notice how your back feels better, your sex drive goes up, and your balls tingle with newly produced sperm...

I back brace would probably be beneficial.. keeping your back straight is key.

Sounds painful. get better

I have troubles with my back and troubles finding a decent chair around here. My medication is get out more and dont try to sit 15-16 hours of working. daily.

back problems typically = a weak core.

Do some sit-ups, or at least spend some of that cake on the chair of your dreams.

DWB,

I have some back trouble actually .... especially after shooting as talent with the positions some producers try to put you in, but if money isn't an issue, I'd just get a really good personal trainer ... that's what I do. Does wonders for my back and keeps me in great shape. I can do cardio on my own, but will never do wts unless someone makes me, lol , but if you find a good trainer you'll notice a big difference.

He or she should also be able to show you some good core exercises to help your back that you can do on your own, along with a good diet.

Tia

Couple of votes here for acupuncture, salads and herbs.
:2 cents:

my dad has a bad disk,so he has had back problems forever. he did the shots in the spine. he then met a chiropractor who got him to do stretching and ab exercises every day. he does them 7 days a week and hasn't had a problem since.

I understand what you are feeling, at the end of the day you are beat just completely wasted. I usually am on my knees when I shoot , I never bend at the knees and when I need to be I'm on my back. Just a thought get yourself some really good knee pads that seems to help me. Also at the end just into a tub or hot water just it will help you muscles in your back and in your legs.... Every one has some remedy that works, also some deep heating cream like "Icy Hot" helps as well...:2 cents:

Yes both the still and the video cams weigh a tonn at the end of the day...:Oh crap

Yeah, some people think this is easy :1orglaugh

Get the hell into a HOT TUB
Do some light excercise before the shoot
Sit in your chair properly
Make sure you sleep right
Minimize stress
Drink a half shot of rum three times daily

I would not wish on my worst enemy.

I shoot a lot of hours of camera regularly, but my back rarely hurts. I attribute that to a few things:

1- Most of all, being in good shape. The reason that even many non-overweight people have so many back problems is that their core and back muscles are completely weak from a lack of rigorous use. Get in better shape, and do some back and ab exercises and it will improve your back strength considerable. Also if you have a belly it will throw your balance and center of gravity off which will strain your back even more.

2- Technique- When you are filming camera it helps to position yourself in ways that are reasonably comfortable to get any given shot. As someone else said, there is more than one way to lean or to shift your weight and various ways to crouch that are more comfortable than others. Try not to lean forward unnecessarily or linger too long in positions that strain your back.

3- Posture- This is very overlooked. How you sit for hours each day can help or hurt your back health. When one sits down do not perch on the edge of your chair leaning forward like many men and most women do. Put your back against the back of the chair. It may seem "square" to sit that way but they call it ergonomically preferable for a reason- that reason is your back. And no sitting or laying with a laptop on your back or lap either, ever. That's right, I said it. I know most of you reading do it, but you are only hurting yourself in terms of the awkward position it puts your body under strain and also the lost productivity you incur as a result. I always wonder how people can peck away at their keyboard slow as shit in that weird position with their elbows pinned against their sides like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's just dumb, period. Get a chair, sit in it straight with your back against the back of the chair. And put your laptop in a docking station with a real keyboard too if you use it at home, not on a couch or dining room table.

4- Resist the urge for surgery and pills, you don't need them and it will just hurt you. Most people with back problems can cure it themselves. They just aren't in such great shape and their back suffers for it. 99% of people with back problems attribute it to an injury early in life but most of the time that really has nothing to do with their current conditions. It's just simply being overweight, having weak back muscles and being unhealthy overall.

Just to add to this excellent advice, but actively correct and practice your posture. When you sit, walk around, etc etc .. Back straight, shoulders back, shoulder blades together. Do not slump forward with your shoulders forward. :2 cents:

I know you're in the same neck of the woods as me over here. If I find a good chair, will let you know.

I'm probably gonna have mine shipped over from the USA.

Great advice from everyone!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

make sure you dont ruin your life man!