Can a Standing Desk Help My Back Pain? – Things to Know
If you suffer with back pain, then rest assured that you’re most certainly not alone. Back pain is one of the most common ailments in the developed world, and if you’ve never experienced it, think yourself lucky. Now, in terms of what causes back pain, it can be caused as a result of a variety of different things. You may have picked up an injury, or perhaps you’ve tweaked it in bed? One of the most common causes of back pain, though, is something which you’d be forgiven for thinking is a good treatment for back pain – sitting. Yes, sitting stationary for many hours each day is taking its toll on our backs, which is why standing desks are now gaining traction and are growing in popularity. Here’s a look at how a standing desk can help improve back pain, and a whole lot more besides.
What are standing desks?
Before we can look at what it is that makes standing desks so great for back pain, we first need to ensure that you all know exactly what they are. A standing desk is basically an adjustable desk that you, well, stand at to work, rather than sit at. The desk basically features anything from 2 – 4 legs, and a platform to place your computer monitor on/laptop, along with your other pieces of stationary, which can be adjusted in height. You should set your standing desk so that your elbows form a 90-degree angle when resting on it, and so that your computer screen is level with your eyes, or ideally very slightly lower.
What are the back-related benefits of standing desks?
There are many health and wellness benefits associated with standing desks. These include the following:
Reduced back pain
First and foremost, standing desks are indeed fantastic for people suffering with back pain. There have been many studies carried out into the effectiveness of standing desks for back pain. One study found that standing desks provided as much as a 50% reduction in back pain compared with seated desks. When you’re standing upright, your lower back isn’t forced to bare the brunt of your weight in the same way as it is when sitting. Over time, this can gradually help to reduce back pain and discomfort.
Better posture
Poor posture is another leading cause of back pain. When people find themselves leading sedentary lifestyles and sitting at desks for prolonged amounts of time, because they’re often hunched over and slouching, this can lead to poor posture. Poor posture can cause misalignment of the spine, which in turn can cause back pain. Standing desks help to realign the spine and they promote good posture, so your back benefits greatly.
Promotes weight loss
Okay, standing up compared with sitting won’t result in a massive difference in the amount of calories that you burn, but when standing upright, you will still burn a few more calories than sitting. Standing at a desk also means you’re more likely to become active, so again, a few more calories can be burnt off. It’s not a huge amount, but every little helps.
