Standing desks are becoming a lot more common in offices and have several benefits. They are higher than the average sitting station and can have a positive impact on your posture. Prolonged sitting compresses your spine which can eventually lead to hernias, nerve compression and back pain which can radiate to other areas such as the neck, shoulders, hips and even the knees. Standing desks benefit users as your lower body can share the load and decrease spinal compression, decreasing unwanted pain and aches.
Why it is important to stand during the long working day
Standing desks have also been proven to help burn more calories than sitting down. Sitting burns about 20 calories per 15 mins and standing burns 22 calories per 15 mins. This isn’t a huge difference but it’s an added plus of standing. Standing has also been proven to have other health benefits such as a decreased risk to heart diseases as standing improves circulation to your lower body. Standing also makes it more likely for you to move around and keep active during the workday compared to sitting all day.
Productivity could potentially also increase as a result of standing as it requires you to increase your blood circulation and breathing. This increases your alertness, so will decrease fatigue and instead heighten your energy levels.
What are the risks of standing too long?
There are many benefits of standing desks, as highlighted above, but there are also some risks. Standing for prolonged periods of time can negatively impact your posture and cause lower back pain. In conclusion, the best thing is do a mix of standing and sitting during the workday to gain the benefits of standing whilst not over-doing it! This can be achieved with the sit to stand desk which gives users the option to sit instead of forcing themselves to stand all day. A vital part of using a sit to stand desk is the set up. You have to ensure that you align your screen and monitor correctly to avoid back and neck strain. Taking regular breaks to change position can also help to prevent neck and back strain.
If you feel that physiotherapy can help you overcome and manage back pain caused by prolonged sitting or standing, please contact Home Physio Group on 0330 335 1016 to talk to our team, or alternatively, please use the contact form on the website and we will reach out to you.