Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Old-fashioned solution to a modern problem

Last Christmas, Younger Daughter received a graphics tablet as a gift in order to encourage her artistic and graphic design skills. A tablet is a gizmo that allows you to draw freehand on an electronic pad (tablet), and the drawing appears on a computer screen where you can use computer-enhanced features to modify the drawing (shading, coloring, etc.).

Anyway, suffice it to say she loves her tablet and has spent countless hours working with it. Unfortunately it's led to one problem: bad posture.



Tsk. Naughty naughty.

Younger Daughter is perfectly aware that her posture needs work, but when she's caught up in the intricacies of a particularly detailed drawing, she just doesn't think about it. As a result, she's been getting a sore back.

So when she spotted (of all things) a CORSET in a thrift store a few weeks ago, she snatched it up.


This isn't a shape-enhancing corset. No, this is a medicinal corset. She knows this because she did a little research on the manufacturer.


The company is still in business, and specializes in custom-made prostheses for amputee patients. Younger Daughter learned that the company used to made medicinal corsets for -- get this -- back pain. Her particular corset was probably made in the late 30s or early 40s.

It's easy to hook on and adjust with side straps.

Front view:


Side view:


Now when she sits at her computer, her posture is vastly improved.


Who'd a thunk that such an old-fashioned archaic solution would work so well? Go figure!

22 comments:

  1. Medicinal corset, eh? That is so cool! I need one too. I don't want to become a hunchback in my old age, so I should really work on sitting and standing straight. Also, if you're traveling to other countries, it's a dead giveaway you're American.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. are you seriously suggesting other countries have no issues with posture, so much that it is an american trait? that is laughable at best.

      Delete
    2. No, of course not. Just that it's way more common in the U.S. than European countries. I guess I should've been more clear.

      Delete
  2. A good office chair would make a world of difference.
    that chair is not good for sitting at a computer.
    Just a thought.

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  3. Your daughter is one smart cookie!

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  4. Would love to see some of her drawings! I, too, at one time aspired to draw better via a tablet.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. I also suffer from back pain due to mild scoliosis as well as sciatica, a good corset sometimes is the only thing that keeps me upright and moving, definitely a good addition to medical needs.

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  7. And here I was buying corsets just because I like them :) ok and they hold me in in places that need it :) But your daughter is 100% correct for buying the corset, because even in the shape- enhancing ones it's pretty difficult to slouch.

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  8. Ask and it shall be given.

    Just Me

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  9. And they say that now a days things are so much better. This goes to show that they really have some smarts back then...

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  10. I suggest she try a "stand-up" desk arrangement. I'm sure Don could raise the one she's at. Then when she get's tired, a tall stool could be used. Back in my day they were quite the thing. People were more productive, maybe.

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    Replies
    1. I make my living in the arts and you're so right about a "stand-up" desk.

      When I was setting up my work space, I specifically made my drawing board at a height that I can work at standing or sitting. When I sit, I use a bar-stool height, adjustable ergonomic chair. The chair can be adjusted for height depending on my task so I don't hunch over too much.

      I spend half my time sitting and half standing. I love it!

      Just Me

      Delete
  11. What tablet does she use?

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  12. I second the "standing desk" comment! Also these stretches will help http://www.businessinsider.com/stretches-for-better-posture-2014-4

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  13. Wonderful photos. Love it. Thumbs up!

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  14. Creative "solution" but it won't work long term. That chair and desk are at the wrong height relative to her long looking torso. They are too close together which encourages the hunching or alternatively perching at the end of the chair. They need to be further apart. Looks like she could drop the chair height a bit(which is what she's already trying to do by hunching or perching) without having knee trouble. Or you could put some blocks under the desk to raise it. Either way I'd fix it more permanently. I'd love to be able to draw. I can see it in my head but put pencil to paper and it becomes a horrid mess. LOL

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  15. Triple on the standing desk and occasional use of a barstool,
    where the hips are bent at much less than 90 degrees.

    I have to applaud Younger Daughter's thought process. She saw something and a little bell inside her head went Ding! and she realized she could adapt it to suit her needs.

    That's pure innovation.


    - Charlie

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  16. I am thoroughly impressed that you were able to find a corset at a thrift shop! I have a few (non-medicinal - intended for wearing at the Ren Faire), and they are a God-send for long days and bad posture. As long as they are well made and properly laced, there is no reason for them to be uncomfortable at all.

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  17. See my own comment above as a "reply" to anonymous 4:53...I'm in on the standy-up desky, too. Works great.

    Loved this post about the corset, though! Creative.

    Just Me

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  18. I forgot all about this chair.
    I have one similar.
    Kinda weird at first, but it does improve things.
    I googled "orthopedic chairs for back pain" to find the picture.

    https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1052&bih=739&q=orthopedic+chairs+for+back+pain&oq=orthopedic+chair&gs_l=img.1.3.0l5.3441.9063.0.12176.16.9.0.7.7.0.172.1017.4j5.9.0....0...1ac.1.42.img..0.16.1050.srC-syi5l1I#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=4jAY0k6XMNeFoM%253A%3B1Urlh-hZK2_y-M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.livingincomfort.com%252Fimages%252Flarge%252Fmm35522-pic.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.livingincomfort.com%252Fmm35522.html%3B671%3B754


    - Charlie

    ReplyDelete