A nice chair can’t compete with 9.8 Newton’ (9.80665 m/s2 (approx. 32.174 ft/s2) of gravity pushing down on us all day.
If you are on Facebook….here are some pictures of some different ideas: [[[[[[[pics]]]]]]]
The result rounded shoulders, painful low back, and a stiff neck. This postural presentation is called Forward Head Posture. (FHP). FHP article.
Consider these 10 fascinating quotes from Spine experts.
“90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine. This is analogous to a windmill generating electricity” -Dr. Roger Sperry (Medical doctor winner of the Nobel prize for brain research)
“Loss of the cervical curve (i.e. loss of normal spinal posture), stretches the spinal cord 5-7 centimeters, and causes disease.”–Dr. A. Breig, Neuro-surgeon, winner of the Nobel Prize
“Forward head posture leads to long term muscle strain, disc herniations, arthritis and pinched nerves.” –Mayo Clinic, November 3, 2000
“For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol 3.
“Abnormal postures are well known to play a role in the causation of pain and functional impairment leading to disability.” Calliet, R. M.D., Low Back Pain Syndrome, Edition 4, Pain Series, F.A. Davis Company Fourth Printing, 1991, pgs. 5-8 and 26-43.
“By far the most important proprioceptive information needed for the maintenance of equilibrium is that derived from the joint receptors of the neck” -Guyton A. Basic Neuroscience. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1991
90-97% of all back pain is due to dysfunction of either the spinal joints or the muscles or both. -MANUAL MEDICINE, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1990, 110-114. Kirkaldy-Willis and Tilscher
Shifts in gravity (Postural) in the aging population led to hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the legs, osteoporosis, intestinal problems, overall poorer health and even early death. -Journal of the American Medical Association, J.T. Freeman, “Posture in the Aging and Aged Body”. , Vol. 165, No. 7, 1957, 843-846
And the American Journal of Pain Management, Vol. 4, No.1, 1994, 36-39 “Postural and Respiratory Modulation of Autonomic Function, Pain, and Health” concluded that posture affects all human function including proper breathing, musculoskeletal pain, mind/body interaction and balance, vocal ability–including speaking and singing, proper immune function and, of course, overall health. WOW!
Posture Predicts Mortality–Journal of the American Geriatrics Society-Volume 52 Issue 10 Page 1662 – October 2004-Deborah M. Kado, MD, MS, Mei-Hua Huang, DrPH, Arun S. Karlamangla, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, MD and Gail A. Greendale, MD
With all of the above quotes in mind and rehabilitation from my own injuries– I educate people on how to convert to a Standing Computer Station at work, home, or both.
Personally I have worked this way for years. Many patients report they have been given permission by their HR departments to be fitted for “Stand-up” work stations.
At the end of this post you’ll find a link to a New York Times article on Treadmill desks. Here’s another awesome idea! If people can work on their computers while on a treadmill–I think they can work at a stand up work station. Makes sense, right.
Lap tops can work this way too. Get a separate full sized ergonomic keyboard and mouse– then use that instead of the laptop keyboard. Use your laptop only as a monitor/screen.
I have my laptop on top of a high boy dresser. The lap top is placed on a plastic spacer to get the laptop higher–at eye level. One of the middle drawers is almost at the perfect place to have my arms bent at a 90 degree angle as I stand at the dresser. I have cut out a flat piece of wood and placed it on the open drawer (to act as a temporary top) for the full sized ergo keyboard and mouse.
When I am done working I put the keyboard and mouse in the drawer and close it. You’d never know it was an office.
Don’t forget to get a quality Anti-Fatigue Mat for the floor. I prefer the thicker 7/8’s versions. Many companies on the internet sell these with a nice corporate indoor look.
New York Times Treadmill desk article.
Related articles:
SITTING RISK-DISABILITY AFTER 60-Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2014
Standing Desk-Who Made That Standing Desk-NY Times 2014
Stand Up Work Stations-The Real Science-2013
Sitting time-9 year all cause mortality in older women-Br J Sports Med. 2012
Sitting Is the New Smoking-Things to do to help yourself-Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB
Your office chair is killing you
Sitting-Is Your Office Chair Killing you? Menshealth 2010
Sitting-The Most Dangerous Thing You’ll Do All Day-Mens Health 2011
Sitting-Can sitting too much kill you? Scientific American Jan 2011
Sitting-Is Sitting a Lethal Activity? The New York Times April 14 2011
Stand Up Work Stations New York Times-Business Day 2012
If you are suffering from: Sports Injuries, Sprains, Strains, Car accident, Herniated Disc, Disc Bulge, Degenerative Disc Disease, Neck pain, Headaches, Low back pain, of just want to feel better and have better life performance– please call our office in Irvine, California- at 949.857.1888 or visit our website at ADJUST2IT to learn more about Functional Fitness Chiropractic, Sports massage, Myofascial Release, Corrective Exercise, Non Surgical Spinal Decompression, Class IV laser, and Functional Nutrition.
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