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STANDING DESKS, DO THEY LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISES?

On Behalf of | Jan 3, 2019 | Neck And Back Injuries |

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It is a new year and you have decided to get healthy. You have probably heard about the health benefits of standing desks for people with desk jobs. Standing desk advocates claim that sitting at a computer all day is terrible for your health so putting a standing desk in your office will allow you to avoid the injuries and other problems that come along with sitting at a desk all day. They also claim that you will burn more calories by standing at your desk instead of sitting. 

El Centro neck and back injury attorneys say, not so fast. For one, studies have shown that people who stand at a desk all day versus people who sit all day actually do not burn many extra calories. Furthermore, studies also show that standing in one position is just as bad as sitting in one position all day. And although you may get rid of some of the physical problems related to sitting all day, you may just be trading those problems in for a new set of problems that are caused by standing all day.

PROBLEMS STANDING DESKS MIGHT CAUSE

People who work in standing jobs such as cashiers, hair dressers and those in food service often suffer physical pain and complications related to standing for a significant period of time on a regular basis such as:

  • Back pain and musculoskeletal disorders
  • Swollen feet
  • Varicose veins
  • Heart disease – A study conducted by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto found that people who stand all day are twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those that sit all day. This is possibly due to blood pooling in the legs and the heart having to work harder to pump the blood back up to the heart.
  • Leg cramps
  • Clogged arteries
  • Joint stress
  • Spine stress
  • Ergonomic issues including headaches and pain in the wrists, back, neck, and shoulders.

So if you do have a standing desk, what is the best way to use it?

Standing desks certainly have health benefits, especially if you follow expert recommendations such as:

  • Be sure to have a professional, on site ergonomics assessment and fitting for your standing desk.
  • Invest in a standing desk floor mat to help relieve stress on your back, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
  • Do not stand at your desk all day. It is especially beneficial if you have the option to move back and forth between a standing desk and a sitting desk.Go for short walks a couple of times a day if you can.
  • Do not stand in uncomfortable work shoes, especially high heels.
  • Make sure that you are standing with good posture.
  • Pay attention to your body cues. If your feet are swelling, sit down and elevate your feet.

If you have suffered work related pain and injury, contact an El Centro neck and back injury attorney at Hiden, Rott & Oertle LLP to schedule a consultation. When you suffer on the job injuries, you deserve to be compensated and our attorneys can help.

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