New Berlin Chiropractor Talks: Can a Standing Desk Help My Back Pain?

The human body is not designed to sit for long periods of time, and in some cases, existing back pain can be made much worse by sitting in a chair at the office for up to eight hours a day. “Using a standing desk can be a good alternative for many employees, especially those with poor posture,” explains a chiropractor in New Berlin.

Standing at a desk, instead of sitting, can help you maintain the ideal posture. Consider how your posture changes while you’re standing. When people sit at a conventional desk, the neck is often pushed forward, the shoulders are slouched and the back is hunched. This type of poor posture causes unnecessary strain on the body.

Of course, an adjustable standing desk should not be considered a cure-all for back pain and underlying conditions. A standing desk cannot help reduce back pain that’s caused by a herniated disc or scoliosis. But for those who suffer from chronic back pain that’s caused by muscle strain from poor posture while sitting all day, a standing desk can be a great natural treatment option.

Here’s why.

Standing Can Reduce Pressure On the Lower Back

Poor posture can overstretch the ligaments of the spine and place too much pressure on the lower back, legs, arms, and neck. A stand-up desk will eliminate pressure on the lower back and reduces muscle tension. By standing, you can stretch and move regularly, throughout the day. This can keep the tendons, ligaments, and muscles loose.

Corrects Bad Posture

Standing while working can improve a person’s body posture, keeping the spine, neck, and head aligned. However, the desk used must be adjustable, and not all standing desks are. Using a height-adjustable desk will prevent discomfort caused by a desk that’s too low or high. The desk should be positioned at elbow height, allowing the wrists to reach the keyboard and rest on the surface of the desktop. The monitor should rest slightly below eye level since continuously looking upward can result in neck pain.

Other Benefits of Using a Standing Desk

Aside from reducing lower back pain, many people have made the switch to an adjustable standing desk for the following benefits:

• Improves circulation
• Improves neck, back, and shoulder posture
• Reduces lower back pain and shoulder pain
• Improves energy
• Can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes
• Boosts focus
• Promotes proper wrist positioning
• Can help burn up to 24 calories an hour

A standing adjustable desk should not be used in place of regular exercise, a balanced diet, or chiropractic treatment, but it can be one healthy lifestyle change that you can incorporate in the workplace. While some people may switch to an adjustable desk for certain health conditions, such as diabetes, or issues with weight gain, a complete lifestyle adjustment, in addition to implementing a standing desk, is needed for people who follow a sedentary lifestyle and those who suffer from chronic pain due to poor posture.

A Standing Desk Alone is Not Enough to Get Rid of Back Pain

If you’ve been suffering with lower back pain for an extended period of time and have recently purchased a standing desk, you may be wondering why you’re still experiencing back pain after you’ve made the switch. Unfortunately, simply switching from sitting all day to standing is not enough to eliminate back pain. Seeking treatment from a licensed chiropractor is crucial to correct the damage that was done as a result of sitting behind a desk for eight to ten hours, five days a week.

A chiropractor can physically examine your entire body to determine if you have any spinal vertebrae or joints out of alignment. Chiropractors offer natural treatment options that don’t include invasive surgeries or harmful pain medication. A spinal adjustment can be performed to restore spinal alignment, providing pain relief caused by a sedentary life, poor posture, incorrect sleep positions, injury, and more.

Regular chiropractic treatment, combined with standing desk use, and a more active lifestyle, can help eliminate ongoing issues with muscle strain, tension, and chronic pain.

When Should I See a Chiropractor?

If you experience daily back pain at home and work, it’s time to meet with a chiropractor. Chronic pain at work can be very debilitating, making it difficult to focus on your job and can negatively impact your work performance. Without proper treatment, a person may experience problems sleeping through the night and pain that worsens over time. In some cases, lower back pain will resolve on its own, after a few days. However, back pain that does not improve or worsens requires medical treatment from a licensed chiropractor.

Contact Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin for an Appointment

If you have been struggling with chronic back pain or neck pain related to sitting all day, a standing desk can be a positive change, one that comes with many benefits. However, a standing desk should not take the place of quality chiropractic care. At Advantage Chiropractic, our experienced and knowledgeable chiropractors can perform an exam to determine the underlying cause of your back pain and create a personalized treatment plan that will focus on naturally managing your pain and improving range of motion, flexibility, and your quality of life. We can also discuss making important lifestyle changes that can prevent back pain in the future, such as switching to a standing desk and incorporating regular exercise. Contact Advantage Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment and let us help you naturally manage your pain and achieve your health and wellness goals.