The standing desk is supposed to combat problems brought by a sedentary lifestyle, primarily of which is back pain. However, if it’s the one causing back pain—if you notice pain and discomfort in your back right after you started using an electric desk—then you must be worried whether you have the right standing desk. Canada has seen an increasing number of the population making the shift to standing desks and other ergonomic solutions, for good reason, and the proper use of these solutions is supposed to help you live a healthier life.
But why the back pain? Do you have the wrong standing desk? Are you doing everything wrong? Well, there are different reasons that may be associated with back pain in relation to your use of a standing desk, and here we’ll take a look at the most common and share what you can do to address the problem.
Things to Check When Experiencing Back Pain Caused by the Use of a Standing Desk
Here are three things to check first to see whether these may be the reasons behind the pain:
Poor Standing Desk Set-Up
The way the standing desk works is largely due to ergonomics, but ergonomics encompasses a whole lot of other things, so you need to look at the overall setup of your workstation. Here are some of the things you need to check:
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The height of your standing desk
Make sure that you set it to the correct height relative to your own height. This is to ensure that you won’t have to hunch over your laptop and put unnecessary strain on your back while working on your computer (in cases of low standing desk height) or straining to comfortably type on your keyboard (in cases of high standing desk height).
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The accessibility of the equipment you need to work
There are so-called ergonomic working zones in any desk space, which pertains to the different zones in your desk based on access—for instance, the closest zone must have everything you regularly use to do your work. If you are constantly straining to reach items, you may be putting unnecessary pressure on your back that is causing back pain. Check if you need to rearrange your workstation for easier reach and access to stuff.
Using the Wrong Type of Footwear
Of the many muscles in your body, your legs are among those that do the most work when you shift to a sit-stand lifestyle with the use of a standing desk. Therefore, you have to make sure that they are adequately supported. And by this, we mean that you must use the right type of shoes, a pair that will provide adequate support to keep your feet and legs comfortable. This might be a time when you need to switch your high heels to comfortable flats, at least at work while you are constantly alternating between sitting and standing.
Doing the Shift Without Proper Pacing
Ask yourself the question: how long since you shifted to a sit-stand lifestyle? And then ask yourself another question: how long do you stand at any given instance?
The earlier you are in your sit-stand lifestyle, the less standing you must do. Most people make the mistake of standing too much, too soon. Instead of going slowly and steadily into the lifestyle, they plunge right in and then experience fatigue and discomfort, burn out, and then quit. Don’t make the same mistake—do it slowly and don’t get too excited about standing too much. Instead, give your body the time to adjust until you get your muscles ready to handle more standing. This way, the lifestyle becomes sustainable.
Choosing the Right Standing Desk and Why It’s Important
As a closing note to this article, remember that it all starts with choosing the right standing desk. In Canada, you’ll find a whole lot of options when it comes to ergonomic solutions. It’s important that you choose one that is right for you—in terms of weight capacity, height range, and other factors.
If price is a factor for you, we are happy to share that you can find a high-quality standing desk without spending a fortune. Check the MotionGrey catalog for some of the highest-quality standing desks in Canada, all made from durable materials and stylish designs.
