The ups and downs of height-adjustable desks

Prolonged sitting has been linked with muscle and joint discomfort and can increase your risk for disease — including certain cancers. Even if you are otherwise active, sitting for long periods of time may cancel out some of the health benefits gained from exercise.

So, what happens if your job requires that you spend the majority of your day at your desk? Some workers have started using height-adjustable desks, which allow them to quickly raise or lower workstations so they can stand or sit as needed.

University of Chicago Medicine orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Sara Wallace specializes in treating patients with hip and knee arthritis. She says that while heightadjustable desks can be beneficial overall, they should be customized for each user’s comfort and physical and health needs.

Health benefits

A standing desk encourages movement throughout the workday. When in a standing position, we naturally shift and move our bodies as we work. Standing and movement help to maintain healthy bones and joints. Particularly for individuals with arthritis, movement will help to reduce stiffness. Also, standing encourages the use of core muscles to maintain an upright posture. It may also increase alertness while on the job.

Not for everyone

For individuals with arthritis, constant weight bearing may worsen joint pain. Standing for long periods of time can also worsen leg swelling, particularly if someone is pregnant or has a condition that causes the veins to stay filled with blood, especially when standing. For these individuals, it is important to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.

Don’t just stand there

While switching between standing and sitting at the workstation can be beneficial, nothing beats a good walk to improve health, Wallace said. “Walking helps with good bone and joint health, even for someone with arthritis,” she said. “Instead of emailing or calling your coworker around the corner, walk over to talk with him or her in person; this type of movement and face-to-face interaction can improve both our physical and psychological well-being.”

Lorna Wong, executive director of communications at UChicago Medicine, often spends several hours at her computer and has used a standing desk for more than a year. “I like the flexibility an adjustable desk provides, allowing me to stretch and move around, even as I am typing on the keyboard.”

DR. SARA WALLACE UChicago Medicine