One of the most common afflictions of the modern era is backache. It can be a chronic condition that in many cases has no cure. Many people manage the pain and discomfort with daily painkillers, which have other unpleasant side effects. One of the leading causes of backache is a combination of our sedentary lifestyle and sitting at a desk for hours at a time with very little movement. Even though occupational health and safety guidelines all recommend that we get up and stretch at least every hour, very few people take heed.
The Problem with Sitting Down
Surprisingly, the human body was not actually intended to sit in one position for long periods of time. The way that modern chairs are made means that our back is often curved into an unnatural position. This places a great deal of stress on some of the smaller muscles of the back, which leads to aches and pains and stretches ligaments. This general achiness can go on for years before chronic back pain sets in, but once it does, few traditional medical treatments can cure it.
So what can be done to address the back pain problem before it even begins? One rather interesting idea is to use a standing desk that can be adjusted to the perfect height for the user. These are available from shops stocking a wide range of office furniture in Auckland. By eliminating the chair entirely, the user is forced to do his or her work standing up. Consider the following benefits:
- Positional: Standing at a desk like this relieves the pressure on the back and promotes a far more natural spinal position. The small muscles of the back don’t have to carry the load of the arms being extended in an unnatural fashion, and the upper spine is not rounded due to having to lean forward to look at a screen all of the time. Our natural position when standing up is much better for the entirety of our spine and the associated muscles and soft tissues.
- Efficiency: When sitting down, especially in a comfortable chair, the tendency for some people is to relax, become less alert, and become less productive as a result. When standing, the brain and body are in a natural state of action and alertness. This promotes greater work efficiency and allows the desk user to work at full capacity without feeling drowsy.
- Employers: Because chronic back pain and general aches cause so much time off for employees, having workers be in a more natural position that promotes better health is definitely better for statistics on absenteeism! From the point of view of the employer, it also cuts down on any potential work-related injury claims and workers’ compensation costs.
Eliminating a Modern Illness
Given how sedentary our working lifestyles have become when we sit in front of a screen for most of the day at work, it is imperative that we find a way to reduce injury and illness due to chronic back pain. One innovative way to do this is to employ mechanical standing desks that can be easily adjusted. They promote more alertness, more productivity, and better back health.