Is a standing desk better for your back? – This question looms large in the modern workspace, where concerns about sedentary lifestyles and ergonomic health have become paramount. Advocates of standing desks tout their potential benefits, citing improved posture, reduced risk of back pain, and enhanced circulation.
Supporting Spinal Health: Evaluating the Benefits of Standing Desks for Your Back
Standing for a few hours at a time can improve your posture and help alleviate back pain by increasing the endurance of the small stabilizing muscles in your hips, glutes, and lower back. It can also help reduce the stiffness in your legs and calves caused by prolonged sitting.
However, if you’re not used to working at a standing desk and suddenly switch to one, you may develop back or leg pain. The key is to ease into your new setup by alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day.
If you’re not able to afford a full sit-stand desk, try propping up your laptop and monitor on a bookshelf or a stool. Adjust the height so that you can rest your arms on the desktop with your elbows bent at 90 degrees and a few inches away from the floor and that the top of your computer screen is at eye level.
Be sure to stretch out your legs and feet before and after work. You can do this by standing with your feet hip-width apart and pushing up onto your toes while contracting your calf muscles for about 10 seconds.