More and more of the patents that visit our office have been asking us about the potential benefits of using a sit/stand desk (or a standing desk). Let’s talk about why it might be a good idea to give one of these desks a try.
We’ve discussed some of the challenges that desk jockeys face in past blog posts. Sitting down at a desk all day (usually at a computer) tends to make people develop a forward-flexed posture. Because we’re not naturally built to be seated for extended periods of time, many people will experience ongoing neck, upper back, and even lower back pain as a result. Over the long-term, it’s even possible to develop disc degeneration or serious chronic neck and back pain.
If you think about it, we actually spend most of our waking hours hunched over. We get in our car and drive to work, sit at our desk for eight hours, drive home, and do the same thing all over again the next day. In our past posts, we talked about some different ways to mitigate the negative effects of extended sitting, including standing up on regular intervals. This is why a sit/stand desk is such a good option—it is a straightforward way to interrupt or limit the time that you spend sitting down.
While there are nonadjustable desks available that are positioned at standing height only, most desks out there are adjustable height. (Just like sitting all the time isn’t healthy, standing up all the time isn’t healthy either.) Adjustable height sit/stand desks allow the user to regularly alternate between sitting and standing. People may also choose to use a therapy ball instead of a regular chair, since using it promotes activation of the core and trunk muscles.
Many companies are beginning to recognize the value and importance of healthy employees. Not only does it result in less time missed from sick days, but it also makes everyone happier and more productive. Employees sitting at their desks in pain or discomfort will probably not be in the best mood, slowing down productivity and even hampering communication.
While it varies depending on the company, you may be able to request that a sit/stand desk is provided to you. In fact, we regularly provide clinical documentation to patients in order to demonstrate to companies that there is a medical necessity for these types of desks. The HR department will be able to take our documents into consideration while making an informed decision to approve the desk.
Ultimately, sit/stand desks are another proactive tool to prevent injury and keep people out of the doctor’s office. If you would like to learn more about the options available to you, contact us online today or give us a call at (918) 743-3737.
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