Work Station Tips: Featuring Antrho Desk

Does posture really matter? To answer that we need to think about the spine and if there is an optimal position to be in for prolonged periods. When we sit at our desks for hours at a time, we end up relaxing into a flexed posture. We lose the support that that comes from how our spines are designed and end up hanging off ligaments and muscles all day. This strains our myofascial tissue and causes creep. Creep is the slow distortion and stretching out of elastic tissues in the body. We have lots of research in biomechanics that shows this creep can cause further injuries when we try to move in this state. Our muscles also end up feeling quite short, weak, and tight due to the prolonged over stretching. This leads to headaches, atrophy, and can even change the shape of our bones over years (vertebral wedging). 

In order to combat this, we have tips and tricks to change our desk set up to be more advantageous to seated posture. The problem with a lot of those changes we suggest, are either hard to achieve or need to be more adaptable as in reality, we shift positions all throughout our work day (which is great for us), but we also move around often when working on our laptops and tablets. 

Standing desks do offer your two options to customize to your preferred sitting height and standing height. The problem with standing desks is they are not ergonomic desks. Often we fix the height of our screen but now our elbows can’t rest, causing dysfunction around our scapulae. The true solution is a ergonomic desk with many options for seated posture at a desk and standing posture at a desk, with further options for couch, floor, and other places in your home you may like to work. 

My three rules of thumb I cover when giving tips for purchasing a new desk set up is to make sure it gives you options in height, options for different set ups (desk, sanding ,couch), and tilt ability for that last personal touch (anti glare positioning). A true bonus is something that you can put away to clear off your desk or bring with you as a light/travel option when really needed. One example brand I always go back to is the laptop desk by Anthrodesk. 

The Anthrodesk laptop desk works with any surface. It converts your current desk into both a ergonomic desk but also a standing desk. It also works with sitting on your couch, floor or even recliner. This desk has three legs which allows you to tailor each angle of each leg to a custom fit just for you. Bringing the laptop up to you, helps with screen height and that nagging forward head posture that is pulling on the back of your neck and back. 

The Anthrodesk laptop desk also tilts, helping reduce any glare, but also bringing your work closer to you. It allows you to feel that “lean in” mode when concentration hits, without costing your spine. You can also bring your work closer to your, reducing any visual strain on your eyes. 

As a former dancer turned Chiropractor, I find myself doing admin work in all sorts of position and locations and having a desk that has three customizable auto-locking joints which ensure it will fit with any height, and any proportion (long or short torso). As a clinician and artist I understand the need to be productive on-the-go, or working in locations that aren’t designed for desk work. Having a small, adjustable adaptor like the Antrhodesk laptop desk can truly make any space feel like a comfortable work environment. 

Although treatment on “tech neck” helps in many ways, getting to the root cause of your desk-based aches and pains should really be the goal. I always advise patients to get up every 50 minutes for 10 minutes of activity, and to shift your work or sitting posiition every 20 minutes if possible. This aligns with the “there is no bad position” rule and highlights that it is more about how long you sit in one position versus the position itself. Having a convertible desk that is so easy to modify allows you to follow these rules with ease. 

Think of ergonomics as selfcare. Think about how impactful tiny changes can be on your overall wellbeing and productivity. A small change or shift today has huge impacts over long term. Something that is not expensive, easy to put away, easy to operate with infinite positional options like the laptop desk from Anthrodesk should always be a go to before purchasing more expensive solutions. Whether your motivation is pain, productivity, or even sustainability, consider an upgrade to your work station like the laptop desk by Anthrodesk.

For more information on Anthrodesk’s laptop desk please check out https://www.anthrodesk.ca/products/laptop-stand-with-adjustable-folding-ergonomic-design-stand-for-ultrabook-netbook-or-tablet#overview. For more information on ergonomics or treatment options for aches and pains caused by desk work, please email hello@madetomove.ca.