Standing desks have gained a lot of popularity over the past few years and I am constantly getting asked whether they are worth the investment. Simply put, no one position for too long is a good thing, but I think like anything else in life – in moderation they can work really well. Prolonged sitting (longer then 30 minutes) does tend to stress your lower back quite significantly as well as cause you to round your shoulders and strain your neck. This is why the use of a standing desk can be beneficial!
I tell all my patients if they decide to get a standing desk to make sure they change their position every 20-30 minutes. This allows your small spinal muscles to stay active and therefore not placing additional strain on your ligaments and joints. When standing ensure to evenly distribute your weight between both legs and ensure the height of your desk allows you to stand with a nice upright posture.
Importantly if your main reason for buying a standing desk is due to back pain at work then it would be best to first get your spine and posture assessed by a trusted health professional (our team at Thrive Health Co. are pretty good but I’m a bit biased). BOOK an appointment today.
As always remember – “Why just Survive….. When you can THRIVE!”
Written by Dr. Josh Nelson
B.ChiroSc, M.Chiro, ICCSP, TPI MP3
