There are a lot of health-related problems associated with sitting too much. In the efforts to avoid health problems related to sitting down for long hours, lots of individuals acknowledge the idea of standing instead of sitting. Due to the discoveries that sitting for long hours can cause lower back pain, standing desks for back pain have become a popular choice.
Over the past few years, standing desks have been used by individuals in offices, homes, etc. This is because there are lots of potential health benefits associated with standing versus sitting. Many studies have shown that you burn less calories when you sit than when you stand, which can add up as time goes on. Additionally, some people become more productive when standing occasionally all through the day. There are many benefits of standing desks for back pain, and we will take a detailed look at these benefits.
Effects of Sitting for Long Hours
Average than six hours daily. Nowadays, working from home, many people move from their beds to sitting down with minimal movement in-between—this habit poses health-related problems especially lower back pain.
Major health research studied the sitting habits of more than 6000 men at the ages of 20 to 89. It discovered that sitting for more than four hours a day raises the risk of dying by any cause by 40%. The study also looked at men who sat at work and in their car for long hours. It revealed that the chances of getting a heart attack are high.
The health research results are unsettling but bear in mind that the study only researched men who sat at work and in their car. There are also everyday activities that make us sit for long hours.
Hence, here are known effects of sitting for long hours:
- Increased blood pressure
- Bad posture
- Tightened muscles at the lower back, neck, and hips
- Increased pressure on the lower back and neck
It is also essential to know that if you sit for too long during the day, the vertebrae discs in your back are squished irregularly. Your spine becomes less flexible, and you are at a bigger risk of getting your vertebrae discs damaged. When you sit for long hours, you put 40% to 90% pressure on your back than when you stand.
The Importance of Standing Desks for Back Pain
Slouching when your computer is at eye level can be very difficult. Hence, standing desks helps you not to hunch your back for you to maintain good ergonomics.
Here are some benefits of a standing desk:
- Increases the level of your alertness
- Boosts productivity
- Stretches tightened muscles
- Eases back pain
- Improves postural strength
Choosing to work with a standing desk is a lifestyle that can help you adjust your comfort level and prevent back pain and neck pain due to prolonged hours of sitting. Relieving yourself of pain can make your daily work pleasant for you. Also, you will get added benefits by being more productive and improving your overall health.
Standing desks can help maintain good posture, strengthen your muscles, and ease lower back issues.
What You Should Know About Standing Desks
Standing desks aren’t the perfect solution to eliminate lower back pain. This is due to the fact that standing puts a lot of pressure on your muscles and even joints. With that in mind, standing for too long with poor posture can also be tiring and harmful.
If you have bad posture, standing for too long can also intensify the condition. It also puts a lot of pressure on the lower back area, causing pains in your back.
Since standing desks aren’t the perfect solution to lower back pain, then what is?
There is no cure to lower back pain, but preventive measures can be used to strengthen your lower back muscles and relieve yourself of the pain.
Standing desks are just one of the preventive measures to maintain good ergonomics and reduce lower back pain – but it shouldn’t be used as a solution.
Ensure you always break the routine of sitting/standing. Change the position every hour. When sitting, ensure proper ergonomics. Ensure your knees are a few degrees lower than the hip and do not cross your legs.
When standing, always keep your knees slightly bent. Furthermore, keep your feet shoulder width apart, arms down at the side of the body or elbows bent at 90 degrees if you are typing, stand straight with your shoulders pulled back and your chin parallel to the ground.
Also, find the best medium that fits and promotes your daily activities. Involve yourself with strengthening and aerobic fitness exercises that improve the condition of your core and shoulder girdle muscles.
Also, consult with a chiropractor. A chiropractor will advise you on the best preventive treatments such as correct posture suggestions for sitting and standing, ergonomic evaluations, adding exercise such as stretching or strengthening of your back.
For back pain, it is also essential to consider some lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, stress reduction and adequate sleep.
Curious About Standing Desks?
You can purchase a standing desk if you are curious about it. Standing desks for back pain can give your back a rest and improve your posture a lot. Chiropractors believe that it is crucial to change your posture frequently during the day. However, standing desks for back pain make it easy for you to find the right balance between sitting and standing for you to be more productive at work.
Custom Chiropractor is equipped with professional chiropractors and massage therapists that are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping you treat back pain. So do you want to learn more about how a standing desk can help you? Contact us today, and we will be happy to help you.
