If you’ve been working at home during the pandemic, or even if you are going into the office, chances are you sit – a lot. And you might also be wondering if a standing desk might be of benefit.

The standing desk has become more and more common in home offices and workplaces for a few reasons: They get you up and out of a chair!

So why is it better to stand vs. sit? And should you invest in a standing desk (or ask your employer to provide one? Here are some things to consider.

Standing is just … standing, right? Not always. If you don’t know how to stand correctly and efficiently, a standing desk might do more harm than good. While a standing desk can be a good idea if you use it to take short breaks from sitting, if you plan to use it for longer stretches, you need to learn a little bit about how to stand.

The bottom line is, a static position is a static position. Our bodies are meant to move.

There is a correct and efficient standing and sitting posture, but most of us do NOT utilize either of these positions.

Further, the example of correct posture that we’ve been shown for years is in fact, not correct at all. If you are considering a standing desk, make sure you’re standing correctly and efficiently.

While you’re at it, you may want to make sure you’re sitting properly as well. Not sure if you’re doing any of it correctly? At Beacon Physical Therapy we specialize in the Saliba Postural Classification System, which objectively teaches proper sitting and standing posture, and strategies on how to maintain these postures at work and everyday life.

In the meantime, no matter what kind of desk, switch from sitting to standing often throughout the day. Move away from any desk at least once an hour – because the REAL problem is the desk. It keeps us in the same static position for hours at a time, which isn’t good regardless of what position we’re in.

Beacon Physical Therapy

At Beacon Physical Therapy, we want to keep you healthy and pain- and injury-free. If you are having an issue, or want to learn more about proper sitting or standing posture, make an appointment today. We’d love to meet you and get you to excel at what you love.