Up until the last 10-15 years you probably didn’t see many standing desks in the workspace or homes. Computers, in the early days, were big and bulky. They had to sit on top of a desk which meant people had to sit to use them. Unfortunately, sitting for 6-8 hours per day is hard on your back and your hips. If you have back or hip pain, then a standing desk may help!
Believe it or not, standing desks were used as far back as the 18th and 19th centuries. They were often used by writers, artists, and prominent figures in society. Individuals who have been said to use a standing desk were: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, and Earnest Hemingway. Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, painter of the Mona Lisa, would often stand at his desk to paint and jot down his inventions. Job Orton, a Presbyterian minister in 1797, is credited with saying, “A sedentary life may be injurious, it must therefore be your resolute care to keep your body as upright as possible when you read and write; never stoop your head nor bend your breast. To prevent this, you should get a standing desk.”
Thankfully, standing desks have evolved over time. They are simple in design but great for ergonomic functionality for both office and home environments. Most of them have a simple single or double handle that allows you to raise or lower the desk to meet your needs for sitting or standing. They typically also come with spring assistance to make lifting the desk easy even when weighted down with a computer and monitor. Best of all, prices have dropped over the years, so it is an affordable option for any workstation at home or office.
If you suffer from chronic back or hip pain, the last thing you want to do is sit all day. When you sit you are allowing your body weight to compress your lower back and adding stress to your hips. Additionally, sitting also puts more stress on your spinal discs than any other position. Standing helps creates better blood flow through your body. It also allows more oxygen to fill your lungs. If given the chance, I would encourage you to stand more than you sit, especially while you are working. In general, I recommend standing 40 minutes out of every hour. That could be all at once or split up through the hour.
As time passes and computers get lighter, standing desks have become the wave of the present and will most definitely remain for the future. Standing desks are here to stay and for good reason. If you suffer from back and hip pain, get a standing desk and take a load off your back.
-by Brandon Crouch, D.C.
About the Author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic (www.crouchfamilychiro.com). If you have questions or comments, Dr. Crouch can be reached at 270-842-1955 or via email at: office@crouchfamilychiro.hush.com.
