The mouse sometimes falls on the floor but otherwise the setup is great.
I don't plan to go back to using a chair for computer work anytime soon.
Even if I stand 8-10 hours my legs don't mind and my back feels a lot better now. I felt improvements after a few days already. The lower back pain went away and there is almost no bother higher along the spine where I used to ache sometime after sitting - having a very bad posture, I admit, even though the chair is somewhat ergonomic.
I also feel like I can concentrate better standing but this may be unrelated.
11 comments:
Thanks for sharing. I've been meaning to try that for a while now.
One more vote for standing to work: I've been using a standing desk since last April or so. I no longer want to sit for more than a meal or a movie.
I tried this for about 6 months at one point and then started to get some pretty bad nerve pain in my feet from standing with my feet in static compression all day. You can't win :( I even tried lying down with the monitor precariously hanging over my head, typing on my lap, but blood would drain out of my arms from being higher than my heart, so I considered using two keyboards, one for each hand... and so it goes on. Human bodies were simply not made to be still in any one position for any period of time.
See:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5438950.cms?prtpage=1
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/01/a-new-definition-for-sedentary-behavior.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123108679&ps=rs
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/?emDevelop
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/07/22/study.links.more.time.spent.sitting.higher.risk.death
Luke, thanks for the heads up. FWIW I am not standing still but shifting my weight, lifting my legs alternately, tapping, walking around from time to time, etc. all without giving it much thought, just not sitting down.
One thing you also might want to do is leave your shoes out of the equation, since our feet have not been evolved to be stuffed in shoes with a super cushioned soles (it contributes to bad posture).
amk, shoes are off indeed, I work from home :)
I had back surgery a year ago and sitting all day caused pain and stiffness. I was also stacking boxes under my keyboard so I could stand. Then I found this: http://www.pctabletote.com/
It is extremely portable and I keep it at my desk at all times. I have a laptop with docking station that goes above it and when the legs are fully contracted, it works perfect for typing / mousing while standing. I have a regular usb keyboard and mousepad underneath it, for when I sit. With this setup I just tilt the monitor and alternate sitting and standing as needed without having to move boxes. Also very portable, I have taken for international travel when working abroad. I can't say enough good things about it. Also, gel inserts in all my shoes.
Another option (especially for those who have trouble standing ALL day like @Luke), is to get something like the GeekDesk. Works great. I love mine.
Another thing you might want to try is some simple stomach exercises.
I borrowed a book from the library with a 10 minute program to be done every morning in bed (no equipment required). It has helped me immensely. Never worked out before. :)
As I understand it, many problems with the back can be attributed to weak muscles in the back and stomach region.
Tratarea empirica poate fi in cel mai bun caz nedaunatoare. Doctori pot gasi in timp cauza durerii si prin tratamente adecvate sa iti imbunatateasca calitatea vietii. Am avut o durere in zona lombara aproape de coloana pe care o asociam cu statul pe scaun, s-a dovedit a fi o problema cu vezica biliara si dupa o banala operatie problema a disparut.
Sanatate :).
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