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Technology has been a great help to people. By setting alarms and reminders, we can release constant thoughts of the when and where of many tasks. You need to start the computer, but you don't want get out of the chair and squat down. You bend forward and twist down enough to reach the switch on the computer tower. This movement puts the discs in the low back at their weakest and most vulnerable point. Think about the stress on the low back if you do that movement often.
Most people look at the keyboard when they are typing. That bends your head and neck forward. This is the opposite direction that your neck curve is designed to be in. Then what I call "the black hole" develops.
After a short time people actually look like they are getting sucked into the computer screen. The shoulders begin to slump and the head moves forward towards the monitor or screen. For every inch that your head moves forward, there is 25 pounds of additional stress placed on the neck and spine.
The stress now increases because you may stay in this position for hours. In addition to this most people who use computers will do this on a regular basis. We also need to add in the motion of the chair. Now that almost all office chairs have wheels, people don't actually get out of the chair when bending and twisting.
The printer is often positioned off to the side, so the user will just rotate the chair to the side and reach. Again this is places the stress on the low back. When going from sitting to standing, the computer user will rotate the chair and step out instead of backing the chair out and standing straight up. Does this scenario sound familiar to you? The monitor should be at eye level and directly in front of the keyboard. Rotate the position of your printer periodically if you can. A great alternative to rolling your chair is to back your chair out from the desk and stand up straight. Just performing this task will eliminate a lot of stress on your body.
Be observant of your elbow and hand position. It's best to use a chair with no armrests. A good hand rest for your wrists is a great idea. It is also important that your thighs be parallel with the floor when adjusting the height of the chair.
Just getting out of the chair and stretching or walking around will allow your body extension time. All computer work is bending forward. This is called flexion. By standing, your are extending your body and releasing tension.