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Correct Writing Posture(S)?


NewPenMan

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Im now more than comfortable writing from my forearm, taking 99% of the stress off my wrist, but writing sessions of one hour or more leave me feeling like Ive been trampled by wild elephants.

 

any thoughts on postures that enable long writing sessions without causing neck and back pain?

 

I do get up/change my position frequently but I feel that my sitting posture could improve.

 

thank you!

Franklin-Christoph Stabilis 66 and Pocket 40: both with Matsuyama CI | Karas Kustoms Aluminum, Daniel Smith CI | Italix Parson's Essential and Freshman's Notator | Pilot Prera | Pilot Metropolitan | Lamy Safari, 1.1mm italic | Muji "Round Aluminum Pen" | Waterman Phileas | Noodler's Konrad | Nemosine Singularity 0.6mm stub | ASA Nauka, acrylic and ebonite | Gama Hawk | Wality Airmail | Noodlers Ahab | TWSBI GO | Noodlers Charlie | Pilot Plumix |

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while waiting for replies Im also researching on my own and will return with links..the common thread is knees as right angles, elbows at greater than 90 degrees! no craning, straining, leaning cranking in order to engage the paper/desk and no death grip on the pen.

 

seems obvious enough and yet I personally fall into each of these traps except for the death grip.

 

also, as with any activity, sitting for long periods is *not* advised, even if one has an otherwise perfect sitting posture; our bodies cant handle it without serious ill effects

Edited by NewPenMan

Franklin-Christoph Stabilis 66 and Pocket 40: both with Matsuyama CI | Karas Kustoms Aluminum, Daniel Smith CI | Italix Parson's Essential and Freshman's Notator | Pilot Prera | Pilot Metropolitan | Lamy Safari, 1.1mm italic | Muji "Round Aluminum Pen" | Waterman Phileas | Noodler's Konrad | Nemosine Singularity 0.6mm stub | ASA Nauka, acrylic and ebonite | Gama Hawk | Wality Airmail | Noodlers Ahab | TWSBI GO | Noodlers Charlie | Pilot Plumix |

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I'm curious too. The only diagram I've seen was from the book "Mills Modern Business Penmanship". I haven't actually read the description of the diagram, just looked at it in passing. But based on just the picture itself, there's really not much to go on. Now I have to go look for my pdf copy to check 😅

 

I'm looking forward to your links. Hope you find something 😉

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Very valid question. Can save many from the resulting health problems because of bad posture.

 

I have been diagnosed with having cervical spondylitis very recently.

 

I can do many activities but once I sit down to write the pain starts in my back and left shoulder.

 

Must have paid attention to my writing posture before.

 

I am also interested in knowing the solution.

 

I now use ebonite pen body with big nib section and it helps a bit.

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ok..Im back with links and commentary..thanks for your patience..commentary first..

 

after doing some reading and discussion over the years with ergo experts, theres the somewhat bad news that:

 

we simply arent built for sitting. especially not for protracted periods.

 

However..

 

while we are sitting, we should be mindful to sit in a way that properly supports ALL of our skeleton, and puts no stress on any part. the links below bear this out and with more detail and examples.

 

FROM MY EXPERIENCE: I tend to assume a posture that looks like Im embracing the immediate writing area, almost like Im about to plant a mad smoochy kiss on the paper. I realize that mentally I want to fully engage my writing, but my posture works against me because in less than 45 minutes, I arrive at that trampled by wild elephants feeling I mentioned.

 

And, it makes me not want to write because the last writing session flat out HURT.

 

So, just as was suggested here in the last year or so about writing with the whole arm and not just the wrist, and how it takes some time to adjust to that, Im taking time to be very conscious of how Im sitting with attention to ensuring that all my parts are supported, FIRST.

 

THEN I bring in the arm - properly - and I dont compromise proper sitting position.

 

We simply must take breaks even if our posture is textbook perfect. Fortunately most of writing is about thinking, and not merely about transferring ink to paper in a mechanistic fashion.

 

iI hope that my little dissertation helps others.

 

Some links:

 

 

https://lifehacker.com/5732064/how-can-i-improve-my-posture

 

https://lifehacker.com/5879536/how-sitting-all-day-is-damaging-your-body-and-how-you-can-counteract-it

 

https://lifehacker.com/5800720/the-sitting-is-killing-you-infographic-illustrates-the-stress-of-prolonged-sitting-importance-of-getting-up

 

http://occupationaltherapy.com.au/the-importance-of-good-sitting-posture-for-handwriting

 

Handwriting for Healthy Hands

Be aware of your posture and sitting position when you write. Your body position affects the way you use your arm and hand. Here are some hints to follow when writing:

Avoid leaning heavily on your forearm.

Keep your elbow positioned in an open angle (90 degrees or more). Wrist and hand strain increases the more your elbow bends.

Keep your fingers relaxed. Your knuckles should not be curled up or turn white when you write.

Reduce finger motions. Use your wrist and forearm to move the pen or pencil rather than your fingers.

Re-orient your writing paper or use an inclined surface to keep your wrist relaxed, especially for left-handed writing.

If writing hurts your thumb, try holding the pen in the web space between your index and middle fingers.

Handwrite rather than print. Large, cursive style writing causes less strain than printing small letters.

Select large diameter pens and pencils or use rubber grips to reduce gripping force.

Place Leaf-It-Finger dots or grips on fingers to increase friction. Tape or tubing can be applied to pens and pencils to increase surface friction.

Replace standard ballpoint pens with easy flow ink fountain pens, roller balls, and gel ink pens.

Write at a reasonable pace with frequent breaks.

Franklin-Christoph Stabilis 66 and Pocket 40: both with Matsuyama CI | Karas Kustoms Aluminum, Daniel Smith CI | Italix Parson's Essential and Freshman's Notator | Pilot Prera | Pilot Metropolitan | Lamy Safari, 1.1mm italic | Muji "Round Aluminum Pen" | Waterman Phileas | Noodler's Konrad | Nemosine Singularity 0.6mm stub | ASA Nauka, acrylic and ebonite | Gama Hawk | Wality Airmail | Noodlers Ahab | TWSBI GO | Noodlers Charlie | Pilot Plumix |

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Thanks for that wonderful information, newpenman, really appreciated.

I did not realise that one has to consider so many aspects while wiriting. A real revelation.

 

Time for me now to incorporate certain changes while writing.

 

Thanks again.

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A number of years ago I collected images I could find of people writing. I'm of the italic camp so more interested in the quill era than steel pen. In any case here are some paintings of people writing. Not saying we should emulate them, but it does show how writers wrote...

Quill: https://hdougetc.wordpress.com/2010/12/26/penning-in-paintings-quill-holds-and-postures/

 

Later: https://hdougetc.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/pen-holds-in-paintings-part-ii-four-paintings/

 

Doug

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A number of years ago I collected images I could find of people writing. I'm of the italic camp so more interested in the quill era than steel pen. In any case here are some paintings of people writing. Not saying we should emulate them, but it does show how writers wrote...

 

Quill: https://hdougetc.wordpress.com/2010/12/26/penning-in-paintings-quill-holds-and-postures/

 

Later: https://hdougetc.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/pen-holds-in-paintings-part-ii-four-paintings/

 

Doug

A very interesting comparison-- What a unique idea to examine hand positions in paintings!

...............................................................

We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams

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  • 1 month later...

Thanks all. My pain has reduced substantially, partly due to doing physiotherapy exercise and maintaining good posture while working.

 

I now make use of a light weight rectangle wodden board about 1.85 feet in length and 1 feet in breadth. I place it between my chair and the table.

 

It helps me maintain an upright stance while writing and doesn't pain at all.

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