Anyone getting neck pain from VR?

[GOA_Karaya_VR]

Hello Pilots.

 

I have several days with a pain in the neck by using my VR headset, especially when i look to my 6 ?.

 

Is this normal for all Vr users?, how do you manage this situation?.

 

-S-

[dburne]

I have a bad neck, right side is always in pain unfortunately, even when doing nothing . And yeah VR does not help it, but I sure ain't giving it up.

[Vortice]

No pain, no gain soldier.

 

It's only a matter of time before someone publishes a medical paper about the negative impact of flight sims on our health and well being.

[Charlo-VRde]

I have noticed that if I fly consistently then the pain goes away, as I build up some muscle/tolerance, but if I take off a few days or a week then I start over again with feeling a tad sore the next day

[Alonzo]

Yoga. And warming up and stretching.

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

Use a swivel chair if possible and warm up

Edited July 9, 2020 by E69_Qpassa_VR

[SIA_Sp00k]

There is a 6 view fix on the forums where you only have to turn your head over your left and right wing, hit a key/s (for left and right) and your VR view will go to your 6 like TrackIR. (Pseudo razor hydra drivers instead of using actual controllers - No additional programs required).

 

Also depending on your headset, if it doesn’t come with a headband, there are 3rd party VR headset, head bands which take the pressure off the front of your head etc.  (Mine came from New Zealand for the Samsung Odyssey +

 

I also have a swivel chair but with the combination of both above, I dont even turn it.

[Bernard_IV]

Swivel chair with stick twist rudder.  I fly sitting sideways much of the time.  Stick and throttle move with the chair.

Edited July 9, 2020 by Bernard_IV

[PreyStalker]

I use head tracking, not VR and I have to stretch and warm up regularly or I find I get neck and shoulder aches. I could just be getting old ☹️

[Thad]

Not to mention carpal tunnel syndrome through excessive mouse use. Man, cyber war is painful and dangerous. ?

[firdimigdi]

Have you checked your posture? Stooping or leaning forward with the added weight of the HMD for long durations can cause pain. Also note how you turn; use your core to twist not just your neck and keep your shoulders straight.

[squidboi]

I've suffered from pulled/sore muscle in the shoulder from frequent straining rotation when trying to check 6

[TWC_NINja]

Swivel chair with HOTAS attached to chair arms.

[SCG_Wulfe]

I still strain my neck from time to time, but I would say that overall, flying in VR has increased my range of motion and mobility of my upper spine and neck considerably. I often will use my left or right arm respectively to grip my chair and pull my torso towards the side I'm looking If I need to really look behind me for longer than a glance. This helps take a bit of workload off my neck from cranking it to the limits of it's range of motion. Having essentially a rigid "sim-pit" helps with this method I'm sure. 

[Varibraun]

In addition to the good advice to take breaks, stand-up & stretch which has helped me with "VR stiffness/pain" over these years - I also noticed the particular headset made a big difference for me personally. 

 

I currently use the Reverb in a swivel chair with almost no problems (when applying the advice above).  I was previously using the Odyssey which was forward heavy and caused me much more noticeable pain/stiffness.  Before the Odyssey, I was using a CV1 which gave me fewer problems.  I had the Rift-S for just a brief time between the Odyssey & Reverb, but can't remember where it was on the spectrum.

 

With my "comfort history" in mind, I am hopeful that the new Reverb G2 with the lighter cable will be at least as comfortable as the current version.

Edited July 10, 2020 by Varibraun

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

On 7/8/2020 at 9:42 PM, GOA_Karaya_VR said:

Hello Pilots.

 

I have several days with a pain in the neck by using my VR headset, especially when i look to my 6 ?.

 

Is this normal for all Vr users?, how do you manage this situation?.

 

-S-

 

I know this is stereotypical when hearing it from Fenris, but the solution for that is called Pimax. 

 

Some of their units lead to another phenomen though: Headache from too many options if you don't like tinkering. They got a new App "Pimax Experience" on its way though, which will include one-click presets of settings to use. I'll be beta-testing for that and look at optimizing its IL-2's settings if given the opportunity (no NDA). I don't know whether the presets are user-specific yet or tied to games though.

Edited July 9, 2020 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[Talisman]

I use Pimax VR headset and keep my neck warm with a nice silk scarf

 

Happy landings,

 

56RAF_Talisman

[C6_lefuneste]

I had the same problem, so I used the workaround above.

[SIA_Sp00k]

On 7/9/2020 at 10:05 PM, PreyStalker said:

I use head tracking, not VR and I have to stretch and warm up regularly or I find I get neck and shoulder aches. I could just be getting old ☹️

 

If your using TrackIR and turning your head alot, it sounds like you need another profile or a change to the one you have.  Requiem had a great profile out there. Worth searching for.

[O_DesoLunatic]

On 7/10/2020 at 3:48 PM, TWC_Sp00k said:

 

If your using TrackIR and turning your head alot, it sounds like you need another profile or a change to the one you have.  Requiem had a great profile out there. Worth searching for.

 

Personal preference I would say - before I got VR I also used low sensitivity for my trackir because I didn't like the view jumping around with slightest movement. 

On topic, I think I had some neck pain during first few days I used VR, after that it was gone and never came back (been using VR for year and a half now). 

[Bernard_IV]

Swivel chair is the way.  

[jollyjack]

On 7/8/2020 at 12:42 PM, GOA_Karaya_VR said:

Hello Pilots.

 

I have several days with a pain in the neck by using my VR headset, especially when i look to my 6 ?.

 

Is this normal for all Vr users?, how do you manage this situation?.

 

-S-

 

In my case this VR pain in the neck would be inflicted by my wallet. So i stick to TrackIR for now. BTW this feller had some advice already a good few years ago:

 

 

[Dirt_Merchant]

Do you guys do any sort of physical training?

[RedKestrel]

Neck pain can also come from a shoulder tension or simply trying to hold your head too still. For shoulder tension, it can easily be the placement of your HOTAS and controls - if they are placed in such a way that when your hands are on them, your shoulders are too tense, that can transmit into neck pain and even tension headaches.

 

I know with head tracking I have had to fiddle with my settings to avoid a tendency to hold my neck too rigidly or at a weird angle because the tracker has drifted. Its important that when you are looking forward you are in a relaxed state, not tensed up, especially if your neck is crooked.