4 Best Desks for Back Pain
If you have back pain, you know how grueling it can be to work 8 hours at your desk job. Fortunately many of us get to work from home, but even then it can be hard to focus if it hurts to sit or stand due to a recent back spasm. In this article, we shall review the 4 best desks for back pain. For help on how to treat sudden low back pain, check out the article: How to Relieve Sudden Back Pain.
If you have back pain and feel as though you cannot sit through an 8 hour workday, you may want to take some time off, go on a modified schedule, or even take short-term disability if your employer will allow it. However, if these options are not available to you, then the next best option is to purchase a work desk that can allow you to work while lying down or by alternating standing and sitting. If you work while lying down, please make sure to get up and move around every 30 minutes. Your spine likes movement so do not work lying on your couch all day. These 4 desks for back pain will help you to continue to work during a back spasm. I have listed these desks from cheapest to most expensive.
1. Adjustable Laptop Stand/Table
To kick off the list of the best desks for back pain, I highly recommend an adjustable laptop stand/table.
- Pros: Under $40, lightweight, portable
- Cons: Adjusting the legs is somewhat cumbersome, Cannot old two monitors
As you can see in the picture below, this laptop stand allowed me to continue working and not take sick days after my back had given out. It is a very basic and creative inclined table. Adjusting the legs are a bit tricky but other that, I have no other complaints. You can purchase one by clicking here.
2. Standing Desk – Compact Size
Next on the list are standing desks for back pain. I have included two good quality standing desks, the first being a compact sized standing desk of which I own. If you buy a standing desk, buy an electric powered standing desk that goes up or down with the push of a button. Do NOT buy a manual adjustable height standing desk that requires you to manually squeeze or turn a pneumatic lift handle. These often require you to use your back and arm muscles to pull up the desk to the needed height, especially if your desk holds heavier objects such as two monitors. Manually adjusting your desk with your back muscles can cause added strain to your back. Therefore, we only recommend electric standing desks. The extra cost is worth it.
VIVO Electric Adjustable Standing Desk
- Pros: Portable, Mobile (yes it has wheels), Affordable (~$300), 23.2 inches to 49 inches height adjustment
- Cons: Squeaky sound when going up/down; Keyboard tray is not adjustable; Somewhat shaky
The VIVO Electric Adjustable Standing Desk is a mobile and compact standing desk that adjusts to different heights with the push of a button. This electric standing desk is perfect if you do not have that much room in your home. You can purchase the VIVO Electric Adjustable standing desk by clicking here.
If you have back pain from sitting at your desk, then alternating from sitting to standing every 20 minutes can help relieve some of the pressure on your back. I typically sit for 20 minutes, then stand for 10 minutes, then repeat. Alternating sitting and standing has really helped alleviate some of the tightness and pain in my back during an 8-hour work day.
One bonus tip: If you have hardwood floors and stand for long periods, you may also want to purchase an anti-fatigue floor mat (see picture below).
This standing mat will bring comfort to your feet, knees, and back if you stand for long periods. You can purchase an anti-fatigue floor mat by clicking here.
3. Standing Desk – Standard Size
Tresanti 47″ Adjustable Height Desk
- Pros: Sturdy, Affordable (~$300), Height adjustable from 29.4 inches – 47 inches, Wireless Desktop Charging Station, Dry Erase Compatible Glass Top, two USB inputs
- Cons: none
If you have more room in your home, we recommend a longer electric standing desk. The Tresanti desk above is available at Costco. I also found many similar adjustable standing desks on Amazon. The Tresanti standing desk adjusts to different heights with the push of a button. The Tresanti desk is more stable than the VIVO standing desk since it does not have wheels. Some cool features of the Tresanti desk include a wireless desktop charging station, a dry erase compatible glass top, and two USB inputs. You can purchase the Tresanti 47″ Adjustable Height Desk by clicking here.
If you have back pain from sitting at your desk, then alternating from sitting to standing every 20 minutes can help relieve some of the pressure on your back. I typically sit for 20 minutes, then stand for 10 minutes, then repeat. Alternating sitting and standing has really helped alleviate some of the tightness and pain in my back during an 8-hour work day.
One bonus tip: If you have hardwood floors and stand for long periods, you may also want to purchase an anti-fatigue floor mat (see picture below).
This standing mat will bring comfort to your feet, knees, and back if you stand for long periods. You can purchase an anti-fatigue floor mat by clicking here.
4. Altwork Station
- PROS: Adjusts from lying down to sitting to standing, Can hold multiple monitors
- CONS: Expensive ($5,000-$8,000), Bulky
I almost purchased an Altwork station when I injured my back severely several years ago. As you can see from the video, this desk station is perfectly customized for those who have chronic low back pain so that you do not lose any work productivity. The chair reclines similarly to how a chair at your dentist can recline. Your monitor, laptop, keyboard, and mouse also creatively stay in place with magnets as you recline. This workstation is the ultimate solution for those with chronic low back pain problems such as a bulging or herniated disc. If you feel like sitting you can sit. If sitting hurts, you can stand. If standing hurts, you can lie down. The only thing missing is a place to put your coffee! So, if you have the money and the space at your home, you may want to look into purchasing one. You can purchase the Altwork station by clicking here.
Can I still work with back pain?
Do not let your back spams deceive you into thinking that you will no longer be able to work again. With more people working from home, there are several alternative solutions that will let you position your body in a way that puts less strain on your back. If you work primarily with your laptop and are on a budget, purchase a laptop table/stand. A laptop table/stand will let you lie down on your couch or bed while typing away on your laptop. You can purchase a laptop table/stand by clicking here. If you can stand without back pain, I recommend getting an electric adjustable standing desk. An electric adjustable standing desk is height adjustable from sitting to standing with the push of a button. You can purchase a compact one with wheels by clicking here. A standard sized electric adjustable standing desk can be purchased by clicking here. However, if cost is not an issue and you have plenty of room at home, the ultimate solution is the Altwork station, which will allow you to work in any position, from reclining to sitting to standing. You can purchase the Altwork station by clicking here. Don’t let back pain stop you from enjoying work!
Finally, if you want to learn what exercises you should be doing to relieve and prevent back pain, check out the article: 6 Best Exercises for Chronic Low Back Pain.
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