altbackpainremedies-blog

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Comparing the Best Standing Desk Converters: Our Top 5 Reviews

If you are ready to jump on the standing desk bandwagon but you aren’t ready to part with your old, faithful desk that has served you well for all these years, a standing desk converter can give you the same benefits of a standing desk, at a fraction of the cost. A converter, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a piece of equipment that changes something from one form to another.” Essentially, taking something traditional and making it into something new, instead of starting from scratch. Here we will look at the best standing desk converters on the market today. A standing desk converter takes your current desk and allows you to use it in both a standing and seated position. This allows you time to adjust and try out the standing desk craze without actually spending lots of money on a completely new desk. Forbes published an article about the advantages and disadvantages of using a standing desk or the best standing desk converters. If you are not 100% sold on the standing desk yet, check out reasons why you should convert your current desk into a standing desk to make sure it is right for you. Once you have decided that you are sold on the possibility at least, giving it a try with a nice inexpensive accessory like one of the best standing desk converters is the first step. Aside from being a cheaper option and not having to completely get rid of your current desk, there are other benefits of buying one of the best standing desk converters instead of a whole desk. For example, most stand up desks don’t have storage like drawers and cabinets. If you already have a desk with built-in storage, you will be able to keep that storage by just adding a converter on top of the already existing desk. You can also remove the converter easily and use the normal desk if you need it for something like face-to-face meetings or a surface for office party concessions. For everything that has many pros, there has to be a least one con, right? When comparing standing desks to one of the best standing desk converters, the bigger thing you sacrifice when buying a converter is stability. Because converters are typically lighter in weight to make them easier to move and they are sitting on top of another desk, they aren’t as stable. Though measures are taken to keep them in place, they are a little more likely to move around than a full-sized standing desk.

What Makes the Best Standing Desk Converters?

Now that you know the good and bad qualities of using the best standing desk converters, we want to make sure that you understand what sets the best standing desk converters apart from everything else that is on the market. After shopping around to research what is available to convert your desk to a standing desk. We then spent a lot of time exploring customer reviews looking at all of the good things that were said about the products. We also took our own experiences into consideration. After doing all of our research, we compiled the outcome and narrowed our products to ten and then selected the top 5 of those products to be named “The Best Standing Desk Converters” available on the market. Now that you understand our process, these are the products that passed our inspection exams along with a pro and con for each item.

The Best Standing Desk Converters Reviews: Our Top 5

Ready to see the best standing desk converters as picked by our experts? Here they are so let’s get started:

VARIDESK - Height-Adjustable Standing Desk

This two-tiered adjustable standing desk converter by VARIDESK has 11 different heights ranging from 4.5” to 17.5” added to your current desk height. It supports up to 35 pounds of weight, making it fully capable of supporting two monitors on the top tier. The bottom tier is in a good position to comfortably be able to use the mouse and keyboard while still being able to see the screens without having to look up or down in an unnatural position. Using the spring-loaded lift allows you to quickly change between sitting and standing or adjust the height for different users in just a few seconds. As long as the weight limit isn’t surpassed, it remains stable, even when being adjusted. After over 1400 reviews on Amazon alone, the product received an overwhelming 4.8 stars out of 5. Pro:

Very sturdy. The overall sturdiness of this particular converter design.

Con:

Not tall enough. If you are taller than about 6’2”, this converter will probably not be tall enough for you but since the average person is under 6’ tall, it will work just fine for an average person.

FlexiSpot Standing Desk

The FlexiSpot standing desk gives you a nice 35” wide surface with room for multiple computer monitors, a large writing surface, and it even has a groove to allow you to stand up your tablet on the surface without additional support. With a height range of 5.9” to 19.7” it is suitable even for people over 6 foot. The gas spring hovering system with two handles, one of each side, makes adjusting the height an easy and quiet process. The wide keyboard tray gives you plenty of room for a large keyboard, mouse and mouse pad but it can also be removed if you choose not to use it. This is one of the best standing desk converters because it supports up to 35 pounds in 12 different height positions. Amazon reviews decided that it was an overall great product, giving it 4.6 stars out of 5. Pro:

Height and Width. The large rectangular workspace and the 19.7” of additional height to the desk makes it ideal for all kinds of work and people of varying heights, even though over 6-feet tall.

Con:

Keyboard tray disappointments. The desk converter as a whole is pretty solid but the materials and screws used to make the keyboard tray just don’t compare and several customers have complained of problems with the keyboard tray and screws popping out.

VIVO Height-Adjustable Standing Desk

This single-tier with an optional easy to remove second tier keyboard tray has a 36” tabletop to give you enough room for two monitors. There are two options available for adjustments, manual and motorized. Both options allow for a range of 6.5” to 16” and use gas spring force allowing for a smooth motion in both directions. VIVO made this desk as easy to use as possible. It supports up to 37.5 pounds on the top-tier. It also includes an adhesive cable clip so you can keep all of your power cords and cables in order and out of the way. Amazon reviewers thought this standing desk was worth 4.4 stars out of 5. Their biggest praise was what you get for the price you pay. The manual adjustment version of this product ties for first place when it comes to having the cheapest price on our top 5 list. Pro:

Motorized adjustments. With two options, motorized or manual, you can choose which option is best suitable for you to purchase.

Con:

Only 16” tall. This is the shortest of the items featured in our top 5 best standing desk converters. Ergonomically speaking, it’s probably a better option for those of us who aren’t extremely tall.

The House of Trade Standing Desk

If you are looking for a ready-to-use product in this list of the best standing desk converters at a good price, this is probably the right one for you – the House of Trade Standing Desk. Once your package arrives, just open the box, lift the converter out, set it on the table and you are ready to go. It is available in two width options, 32” and 36” with a height range of 6.5” to 16.5”. It comes in a manual option that is the cheapest in our top 5 best standing desk converters but for a little bit more, you can get an electric version as well. Amazon users rated this product 4.6 stars out of 5, over 90% of the users gave it 4 or 5-star rating out of 300+ customer reviews. Pro:

Two size options 32” and 36”. The 36” option actually raises an additional 3.5” so it is a better option for people over 6-feet tall.

Con:

Limited height options. Since there are only 5 different height options as opposed to 10 or more that others offer, it is a challenge to find the right height that is comfortable, especially for typing.

ApexDesk ZT Series Height Adjustable Sit to Stand Electric Desk Converter

This fully motorized adjustable standing desk converter by ApexDesk has a range of 5.7” to 18.1” with 36” of space on the top-tier. The bottom-tier is retractable and has 25” of space which is more than enough for a full-sized keyboard and mouse. It comes fully assembled, no installation required for you! That makes it much easier for you. On the side of the desk where the button is to raise and lower the desk, there is a single USB port that you can for charging phones and tablets. Amazon users rated it 4.6 stars out of 5 most of the users were very pleased with the overall product and had very few complaints. Pro:

Fully motorized and fully assembled. It’s easy to use and ready to use.

Con:

Screw problems. Some customers complained about the screws used to attach the keyboard tray being stripped or not being in very good condition.

Final Thoughts

If you are like me, you have read all about the good and the bad of stand up desks and converters. Including things like “your feet will hurt” or “your feet will feel numb”. The list of possible assumed outcomes of standing all day is quite long. But the reality is that it just takes time and making a few adjustments. Ladies, if you are going to be standing all day, you should probably reconsider rocking those high heels. Everyone looking into converting their desks to a standing desk should consider investing in a few accessories. Stand up desk floor mats will definitely help with making things more comfortable. There is a huge difference in standing on carpet covered cement floors and an inch or two of soft foam with massage balls and nodes. If you don’t think you will be able to stand all day, you can also invest in a leaning stool. This is a stool that allows you to take the pressure off of your feet and back while still being in a basic standing position and not requiring you to take the time to lower the desk converter. Are you ready to give one of the best standing desk converters a try? Take a look at our top 5 again and use them as a starting point or go ahead and choose one to try.

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Looking for the Best Standing Desk? Here Are Our Top 5!

A standing desk as defined by the Cambridge dictionary is “a desk at which you stand rather than sit.” It is basically a tall desk without a chair. You can perform tasks like writing, using the computer, or answering the phone. As standing desks became more popular, the Smithsonian posted an article about five health benefits of using a standing desk. These include reducing chances of obesity, diabetes, and even cancer by helping the user to remain active and avoid living sedentary lives, even when their job requires long hours behind a desk each day.

Finding the Best Desk For the Right Person

We agree with these findings and have decided to compile a list of the top 5 best standing desks on the market. We have reviewed each one so you can decide which standing desk is right for you. To decide what is “The Best” we take several things into consideration. The most important thing we look at is customer reviews because these are written by people with first-hand experience. When we can get a large pool of standing desk customer reviews, it allows us to experience the product through the eyes of multiple consumers as well as ourselves and make a conclusive decision on the quality of the product. Second is the product prices. Spending a lot of money doesn’t always mean a good product, but it is a good place to start. Plus, part of what goes into giving a product the title of “The Best” is making sure you get the biggest bang for your buck. Finally, we narrow our options down and start to compare desks. Manufacturing materials are important because poor quality materials mean poor quality products. The company reputation is also very important. The look and feel of the product itself, and the ease of use are the final things we look at. Then, we collect our findings and decide which products are worthy to be considered “Top 5” material.   Still not sure a standing desk is for you? There are options for easing your way into using a standing desk full time. Harvard University posted an article about the truth behind the best standing desks and considered the act of changing from a normal desk to a standing desk an “intervention” and they listed several side effects to expect through the adjustment period. If you’re interested in giving the standing desk a try but aren’t fully ready to commit, here are a few ideas to help transition to a standing desk suggested by health.com to consider trying before you buy. If you want to keep your current desk but have a standing option as well, you could look at standing desk converters. Instead of buying a whole new desk, you can add an extension to your desk. This will allow you to stand up at your current desk but if you still want to sit down, the option is available. The best standing desk converters are a good idea if you are on a tight budget.

What Makes the Best Standing Desk?

There are four things that make the best standing desks on the market: ease of assembly and use, the stability of the desk itself, good quality for a reasonable price, and adjustability.

The Best Standing Desk Reviews: Our Top 5

Ready to take a look at the desks we consider as the best? Here they are:

Stand Up Desk Store - 48\" Stand Up Desk w/ FREE Monitor Mount

Of our top 5 best standing desks, this one comes in as being the cheapest: the 48” Stand Up Desk with Free Monitor Mount from the Stand Up Desk Store. It is not adjustable so it cannot be doubled as a sitting and standing desk. However, you can choose from various heights when you assemble it and everything needed for assembly is included in the box. This stand up desk has wheels, making it very easy to move around if you change locations. The free monitor mount is also great because you can save money on purchasing one of your own with one of these best standing desks. It also ensures that your monitor doesn’t fall when the desk is being moved. This desk is 48” tall and weighs about 65 pounds. It is available in two color options, black with silver and dark walnut and silver. Amazon customers gave this product 4.1 stars out of 5, noting that the quality and craftsmanship is wonderful, especially considering how much cheaper it is compared to similar products of the same quality. It also meets the minimum ANSI/BIFMA standard requirements.

DEVAISE - Adjustable Height Standing Desk 55 Inch with Crank Handle

The DEVAISE Adjustable Height Standing Desk is manually adjustable by using a hand crank located on the right side of the desk and has a range of 29” to 45” tall making it ideal for both sitting and standing. Though the crank handle isn’t as quick as a motorized adjustment, it is still painless to change heights which is important in the best standing desks. The best feature of this stand-up desk is the 55” by 29” desktop available in both white and black. Plus, there is an optional monitor mount that can be purchased separately. This is useful if you want to take full advantage of the workspace on one of the best standing desks. Amazon customers ranked this product 4.2 of 5 stars, citing that it may be a little wobbly when it is raised to the highest position but the simplicity of assembly and design makes it an all-around good product. Combining that with the fact that this is an easy to adjust stand up/sit down desk that costs less than $300 and that makes it the cheapest option.

Stand Up Desk Store - Crank Adjustable Sit to Stand Up Desk with Heavy Duty Steel Frame

This two-tiered standing desk from the Stand Up Desk Store has two lengths to choose from, 48” and 60”. It is adjustable with a hand crank and it comes in five different color combinations. With the tallest high being 48”, it is suitable for most users. The wheels also make it fairly easy to move around and it can be locked in place so it doesn’t move when you don’t want it to. This product is also available in a single tier, adjustable with the press of a button instead of a crank. This offers you the same amount of desk space, but the two-tiered option can be used for a monitor for those who are taller. The two-tier option seems to be a preferred product with Amazon users, receiving 4.7 of 5 stars from over 400 users. Most consumers compliment the overall sturdiness of the desk and the great difference it makes having two-tiers instead of a single tier. The biggest problem was that the assembly wasn’t super easy but it wasn’t impossible either; however, once it’s assembled there were little to no problems for most users. With such high praise from consumers, it is no surprise why it is on our list.

LUXOR Standup-CF48-DW Stand Up Desk, Crank Adjustable

This stand up desk has a heavy duty steel frame making it sturdier than many other designs. The LUXOR Standup-CF48 has a crank for height adjustment and is available in 48” and 60”. This product is very similar to desk #3 on our top 5 list but it is only a single tier desk instead of a two-tier. Like #3, it also has wheels making it easy to move around, even though it is made of steel, so you can move it where you need it. It does weigh about 97 pounds but this just adds to the stability of the desk. Amazon reviewers gave it 4.7 out of 5 stars. They commented not only on the sturdiness of the desk but also the overall professional look. Some users even mentioned that it compared to motorized desks that were more than double the price of this one. Most were able to assemble the whole desk by themselves in less than 30 minutes with no problems. As far as the best feature of this product goes, it is on our list of best standing desks because of its stability.

LifeSpan TR1200-DT7 Treadmill Desk

This stand-up desk takes working to a whole new level by allowing you to kill two birds with one stone: get a decent cardio workout while standing at your desk. With this electric treadmill, you can not only avoid sitting too long but you can also avoid being still for too long. It also comes with free assembly so that makes things a lot less complicated. With the LifeSpan treadmill desk, you do sacrifice a little bit of workspace, with only a 38” desktop as opposed to the more standard lengths of 48” to 60” that you find with other best standing desks. You wouldn’t want to set up a desktop computer with a monitor on this one but this desk would be ideal for a laptop, tablet, or even just doing paperwork. Amazon reviewers gave this product 3.6 of 5 stars though most of the lower ratings were complaints about issues with self-assembly so the manufacturers solved that issue by providing free assembly by a professional. Other reviewers really liked the fact that the treadmill has a built-in step counter but you have to be careful not to unplug the treadmill or the step counter resets. Generally speaking, those without self-assembly issues were really pleased with the overall product. This product is certainly going to cost you a little more than just a normal stand up desk and it is the highest priced product on our list. But you really can’t have a list of top 5 best standing desks if you don’t include at least one treadmill desk and many people would argue that it is worth the extra money just being able to continue moving while you are at your desk.

Notable Mention: Adapta Table 20 x 36

Though it is not your typical stand up desk, it is worth mentioning: the Adapta Table. This is a great little stand-up desk for people who are working with small spaces or don’t really need an entire desktop. If you have a laptop or you are just using it to do paperwork, this is a really good option. Though it doesn’t have wheels, it is adjustable with two knobs that you just move to the desired height, ranging from 22” to 33” and only weighs 29 pounds. And if that isn’t good enough to sell you on it, it only costs $60! Assembly is very easy, with no tools needed, and doesn’t take much time at all. Amazon users gave it 4 out of 5 stars talking mostly about the sturdiness of the product and the materials it is made of. There were a few complaints about the height not being tall enough for taller people but unless you are 6’0” or taller, you shouldn’t have a problem using this desk.

Accessories

When using a standing desk, you may want to utilize a few accessories to make use of the desk a little easier or to get the most benefit from it. Here are a few we prefer:

Standing Desk Mats

There is a great selection of standing desk mats with varying thicknesses, ergonomic designs, and extra little features like massage balls and nods for when your feet start to feel tired. Though standing desk mats are not required to use with a standing desk, unless you are standing on extremely plushy carpet, you will most likely want something like this to have under your feet just to relieve some of the pressure on your back and knees from standing more than your body is used to. By allowing you to burn calories, stay focused, you can make it through the workday with a little more positive energy just because you were able to move.  

Active Sitting Chair/Ergonomic Standing Desk Swivel Stool

This product allows you to still move around while giving your feet a little rest from time to time. With an active sitting chair or ergonomic standing desk swivel stool, you can sit on it like a normal stool and it is adjustable to the height of the desk or person but you don’t have to sit in a normal chair. You can rock and lean and swivel just to keep your body in motion. It makes it a little more fun to use the stand-up desk as well.  

Gaiam Evolve Balance Board for Standing Desk

This balance board is great for adding a little more movement to your workday. Not only are you allowing your brain to focus on the task at hand by forcing yourself to focus on keeping the board steady, you are also engaging your core and working on your overall ability to balance. There are many other benefits to using a balance board as well.

Ready to Switch to a Standing Desk?

When shopping for a stand-up desk, there are many options to choose from. Figuring out which one is best for you is really as simple as figuring out your budget, the features you want and then narrowing it down. You can start getting the health benefits of a stand-up desk today.

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair - Review

Working long hours in an office, I used to suffer from terrible back pain. However, several years ago a good friend introduced me to the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair. Since I started using this chair, not only has my back pain disappeared, but I\'ve also noticed that I suffer from fewer headaches. You also may benefit from the use of this innovative chair.

The Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair

This kneeling chair has a design that has stood the test of time. If you suffer from back pains like I once did, then it may be exactly what you\'re looking for to alleviate the causes of back pain. It also helps to negate the causes of neck pain and improve posture. Varier is the longest established manufacturer of kneeling chairs. When they launched the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair in 1979 they introduced a completely new mode of sitting to the world. This ergonomic chair was designed by world-renowned, award-winning Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik.

What Does It Do?

As the name implies, it is designed to allow you to vary your sitting posture. This chair is not only suitable for a kneeling position, it may also be used for a more traditional sitting posture or a wide variety of poses. You can rest your knees on the kneepads, or one of your feet, or both of your feet.

Rocker Design

The emphasis of this design is not only in a variety of sitting positions. An important element of the design is that the rocking base encourages the person sitting or kneeling on this chair to make frequent, small movements. It is these frequent movements combined with the variety of postures and moves that together help improve the spinal health and posture of the user. This is a key difference when comparing to other chairs of similar design.  Many have rollers instead. The user is less restricted when moving in a chair that rocks back and forth. When designing this ergonomic chair, Opsvik studied the natural movements of the human body. Our limbs can flex, extend, pivot, tilt, rock, and turn. He created a kneeling chair design that allowed the user to perform these varied movements while sitting. Not only does that make these chairs super comfortable, but these small movements have specific effects in reawakening dormant muscles around your body.

More Benefits

The kneeling posture encourages deeper breathing and reduces strain on your neck, which sometimes can prevent headaches as well as helping you to focus if you\'re working. Kneeling also encourages an improved posture, helping to strengthen your lumbar and abdominal regions. The rocking base of this design encourages movement, which is better for your spinal health than immobility. Some users may gain sore muscles when first using this chair. This is because there are some core muscles in your body that will become more active when you use this chair. Over a period of time, these dormant muscles will become accustomed to more use, and the discomfort will pass. At first, you might like to use the chair only for short periods of time until your body becomes accustomed to the change in sitting habits.  In short, as with all kneelers, it will take some getting used to.

Are There Any Optional Extras Or Alternatives?

A specially designed backrest is available separately as an optional accessory — the Varier Variable Padded Backrest. When attached, the backrest increases the potential range of movements and postures you can achieve while sitting in this kneeling chair. If you work long hours, you may appreciate the support it offers while you stretch to ease tension in your muscles and joints. An alternative, similar kneeling chair is the Varier ThatSit Balans Kneeling Chair With Backrest. Not only does this include a backrest, its runners are slightly more curved than the original.  This chair follows your body\'s movements even more. This encourages more motion and uses your muscles more than the original design. However, this newer design is significantly more expensive than the original, and some reviewers have said it is overpriced. Varier also makes a soft tape for their chair.  This tape will protect your floor from scratches and marks made from the rocking motion, but there are much cheaper alternatives.

What Do Customers Think?

The Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair has achieved a high level of customer satisfaction, with reviewers finding it comfortable and beneficial in alleviating back and neck pain. One customer who claimed to suffer from degenerative spine disease stated that this chair enabled her to sit at the computer to work for much longer stretches of time than her previous chair without her suffering from either neck or back pain. It is particularly interesting to note that some people who bought one of these chairs, back in the early eighties are still using them today. This is a testament to the high quality and durability of the materials used, such as the natural ash wood.

What Are The Negative Aspects Of This Kneeling Chair?

A huge negative point for many customers is that assembly is required. However, other reviewers claim that this procedure is straightforward. A few customers even said it was easy. The necessary Allen wrench and instructions are included.  If you\'ve ever put together something from Ikea, this isn\'t much different. However, a few have found the supplied instructions unclear. Putting your chair together may take you as long as an hour. There have been a few rare incidences of missing instructions and customers claiming that parts do not fit correctly, but most stated that they experienced no such difficulties. Besides, Varier is confident enough in their product to offer a five years parts and labor warranty to cover any defects.

The Bottom Line

Weighing up all the evidence, it does appear that the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair is a high-quality kneeler that most people will find both comfortable and beneficial for their health after becoming accustomed to its use. => Check out the latest deals on the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair on Amazon NOW.

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Is A Kneeler The Best Chair For Back Pain & Posture? A Buying Guide

Today millions of people suffer from back pain, often aggravated by bad posture. Are you one of those people? I once was, but I\'ve found a simple solution. If you\'re suffering from back pain or want to fix your posture, the answer may be as easy as switching your traditional office chair to a kneeling chair for back pain.  

Why Is This The Best Chair For Back Pain?

The human body is designed to work in a specific way. Before the advent of technology and civilization, early humans gathered berries and nuts from trees and bushes and were occasional, opportunistic hunters. Our bodies are designed to perform these activities as efficiently as possible — to move constantly in search of food, frequently shifting position, and reaching out for things. Today our lives are very different. Thankfully, we do not need to constantly search for food throughout the day in order to survive. However, not all the changes have been good. Our lives are more sedentary, which unfortunately means that we often do not get the exercise our bodies require. Also, we have created home and office chairs that may feel comfortable in the short-term, but which actually causes our bodies immense harm because they force us to remain for long periods of time in an unnatural posture. This is one of the major causes of back pain and poor posture today. Kneeling chairs are designed to be a more ergonomic chair than the office chairs, arm chairs, desk chairs, and high back chairs more commonly seen in our work places and homes. One of the main features of kneeling chairs is that they allow the user to frequently vary their sitting position during use so that the person is not forced to adopt one fixed and unnatural pose for a long period of time. This broader range of natural movements can help improve posture and alleviate back pain in individuals. The world\'s first modern kneeling chairs were manufactured in Norway by Stokke (now Varier), and the three designers were Peter Opsvik, Svein Gusrud, and Oddvin Rykken. The first design released was the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair designed by Peter Opsvik in 1979. Opsvik is a world-renowned, award-winning designer well known for his dedication to improving the health and well being of people through utilizing more ergonomic designs in items used every day. His original Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair design is still one of the most popular kneeling chairs in the world.

Who Should Use A Kneeling Chair?

If you are suffering from back pain or you want to know how you can improve your posture, an ergonomic chair could be the best answer to your problems. Many people today suffer from back pain, particularly office workers who are forced to sit for long hours in a traditional office chair slouched over paperwork or staring at a fixed screen. If only those office workers swapped their old office chair for a kneeling chair, they could alleviate many of the causes of back pain. Some people suffer from bad posture, making them feel bad about themselves because they slouch. If they fixed their posture, they would feel better about themselves, suffer less back pain, and appear more attractive to other people. The broad range of natural movements you are able to perform when sitting in a kneeling chair help you to use muscles normally left unused during those long, sedentary hours, and can strengthen your abdominal core, neck, and back muscles. Over time, these frequent movements and the natural build up of rarely used muscles can help to reduce causes of back pain and improve posture. Even if you do not currently suffer from back pain and have perfect posture, a kneeling chair may still be beneficial to you because it promotes your continued well-being, preventing back pain causes and the development of poor posture.

How Do You Use A Kneeling Chair?

It is a frequent misconception that you may only use a kneeling chair to kneel. Ergonomic chair designs like the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair offer multiple possible seated postures. The best way for you to use them is for you to take advantage of the full range of possible natural movements. The emphasis in the design of kneeling chairs is on the versatility of position. When sitting in a kneeling chair, you would benefit most from continuously adjusting your position. Every ten minutes or so, you can change the way you are sitting, or maybe just stretch your limbs. The kneeling pads on most kneeling chairs may be alternatively be used as foot rests. You can sit with both feet on the floor, if you prefer, or with one foot on the floor and one on the kneeling pad. You may kneel on one pad but rest your other foot on the floor. When first swapping their old office chair for a kneeling chair for back pain, some people find that the new chair makes their muscles ache a little. However, this is a temporary effect of using seldom used muscles for the first time. You might like to begin by using your kneeling chair for back pain only occasionally, swapping from your old chair to your new as the day goes on. After a few weeks, you\'ll find that your body adapts to the new postures. That\'s when you\'ll start to feel the broad range of benefits of a kneeling chair.

Where And When Should You Use A Kneeling Chair?

Any time or place where you would normally use a traditional chair, you could use a kneeling chair instead. Convention has given us very fixed ideas of how we should sit to be polite. As a child, how many times did your mom tell you to, “Sit up straight” when you were eating at the dining table? However, in ancient Rome diners often ate in a reclined position, in Japan it is customary to kneel at a low table, and in India diners traditionally sat cross-legged. The only barrier to you using a kneeling chair while eating is your own culturally ingrained inhibitions. In an office environment, many people sit in confined spaces in office chairs for long periods of time, causing considerable strain on their bodies, necks, and backs. Using an ergonomic chair for back pain in general, and a kneeling chair, in particular, would be especially beneficial in such a setting. For decades, famous kneeling chair designs, such as the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair, have frequently found a place in the palatial offices of top executives, and yet they have been perceived by many other office workers as the province of the elite. In reality, a kneeling chair would greatly benefit any office worker, particularly if they have to sit without moving for extended periods of time.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Kneeling Chairs?

Since the unveiling of the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair in 1979, many other designs have hit the market. However, the original design is still immensely popular. Two common variations in this original design are in the back and the base. It is now possible to buy a seat back to attach to the original Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair, and many alternative designs now available have a supportive back already attached. While this does restrict the range of movements associated with the original, backless designs, a supportive back may be necessary for some people with bad back pain or disabilities that prevent them from supporting themselves adequately on a backless kneeling chair. Some kneeling chairs have a rocker base to maximize the potential range of movements, and some have rollers like a regular office chair.

What Is The Best Kneeling Chair For Back Pain?

When choosing the best kneeling chair for you, it\'s important for you to consider two factors: where you will use your kneeling chair and your particular physiological needs.

Where Will You Use Your Kneeling Chair?

Before choosing the best chair for yourself, it\'s important that you know where you will be using it and for what purpose. When perusing the internet or stores for the best design, it\'s a good idea to have an idea in your mind of exactly how you\'ll use the chair. If you intend to use the chair outside or in a wet environment, make sure that the materials used are waterproof. If in a workplace, what range of movements will you be required to make while carrying out your duties? You may also need to consider the aesthetic properties of your chosen kneeling chair if you\'re going to use it in a place where a particular material might be frowned upon. For example, when working in an office where your fellow employees are all Vegans, you might not want your kneeling chair to have a seat and kneeling pads finished in real leather.

Your Physiological Requirements

If you suffer from a particular medical condition, this may significantly influence which model of kneeling chair is best for you to use. In fact, in some cases, it may be a good idea for you to seek medical advice before making your purchase. People with particularly bad neck and back pain may find it easier to use a kneeling chair with a back rather than one which offers less support. After a period of time using that kind of kneeling chair, you may find that improvements to your neck and back make it possible for you to progress to using an ergonomic chair without a back rest.

A Few Last Thoughts

If you have never tried a kneeling chair for back pain, you really do not know what you are missing. Swapping from a traditional office chair to a kneeling chair is a truly simple move, yet it could alleviate back pain, improve your posture, and result in a significant improvement in your health. You have nothing to lose, and a whole lot of health benefits to gain. Why not give one a try? > See the latest deals on kneeling chairs at Amazon.

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Fix Your Posture And Reduce Back Pain: A Simple Solution

Are you sitting at work for long hours?  Do you suffer from back pain and want to fix your posture? These are linked, and there are many ways to reduce our upper and lower back pain.  We can fix your posture at the same time with a simple change in the way we sit.  Improving posture and pain relief go hand in hand.

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is the aching abdominal portion right above the pelvic region and below the mid-upper body. This pain is caused by increased stress absorbed by the body. One who is constantly working in the office setting, requiring the use of a computer is most susceptible to the bad posture effects and back pain. This is due to the continuous bad sitting posture of the body during long work hours. The pain though has its roots from here but spreads upwards and downwards, leading to a whole stressed body. The pain eventually leads to shoulders and hips causing an overall disturbance and discomfort. As the back pain is highly associated with the posture, it can only be minimized by adopting the right sitting posture.

What is the Best Sitting Posture?

When you fix your posture and begin to sit properly, it allows you prevent back pain in the first place. It includes sitting up straight with a slightly stretched upper body portion upwards. The upper lift allows the back to stay straight and avoid the production of unwanted vessels in this region for increased pain. It can be understood with a simple example. Consider a thin rod is passing through your upper body portion while sitting. This won\'t allow you to bend your back and neck. The face should be lifted with chin upwards and in line with where the target is. Your arms should either be placed on your thighs or on the table on which your laptop or computer is placed. This would enable your back and shoulders to stay in a comfortable position and healthy.

How To Fix Your Posture In The Office

The way we sit helps in relieving pain and acquiring better comfort while at work. your seat plays an important role in it.  There are a number of chairs that aid in relieving back pain:

Yoga ball chairs

Kneeling chairs

Ergonomic chairs with lumbar support

Ergonomic chairs with support cushions

But let\'s just talk about the ergonomic office chairs without any support. They are the most commonly used in offices. The chairs commonly used for work lack support for arms.  This can cause aching shoulders. Other chairs that lack lumbar support result in stressing the back and unnecessary blood circulation. You may have experienced this pain while working long hours sitting on office chairs.

What Is The Solution To Back Pain And Poor Posture?

The possible solution to back pain includes choosing the right chair. A few types of the

1. Yoga ball chairs

The Yoga Ball Chair is an amazing advancement, highly recommended for back pain patients. The very flexible yoga ball not only helps keep the back stress-free and up right, it also enables all the core muscles. Exercise balls may have been a fad, but the benefits are very real.  The abs are supported. The arc is maintained where required. Support is provided where required, and the body is left stress-free and adjusted to support back. The LuxFit ball chair provides a workout at the office. The ball support helps the muscles to keep adjusting and moving as different tasks require different postions.The backrest allows the users to remain upright and comfortable.  A 2-year warranty ensures all those long hours sitting at your desk won\'t bring back pain.  Instead, those hours will be spent improving your posture and spine. Hence, it is a perfect way of getting fit while working in the office. This type of chair is recommended to the back pain patients to aid them in relieving pain while helping them perform better.

2. Kneeling chairs

The Varier Variable Balans kneeling chair was established in 1971 with the sole motive of bringing the spine in line. This was the first of now, many kneelers.  The stool is designed to release the stress off of the spinal cord. The pressure of work and continuous sitting position brings the back and shoulders under stress. The aim of the chair is to reduce the stress on the back bringing the pressure point towards the stool, releasing it from the knees. The ergonomic kneeling chairs are designed to prevent the spine from getting damaged by the stress. It prevents the upper body from leaning towards the table, keyboard or another device.  Hence, aid in improving posture and back pain relief. The two below are for those who find it difficult or are not interested in a specialized chair but want some back support.

3. Ergonomic Chairs With Lumbar Support

The lumbar support in the ergonomic chairs has been the primary feature for relief from pain. For me, it has been the support system that helped me work better with reduced pressure. It has increased my workability to almost an hour.  Also, the seat of the chair is designed with a raised front end encouraging proper sitting.   This is the most common way people sit.  However, maintaining correct posture is more difficult.  Slouching and improper sitting (i.e. sitting at the edge of the chair) can likely result from extended use in these chairs. It doesn\'t allow for the small movements that the ball chair gives or the alignment that the kneeling chair provides.  It will help you fix your posture by supporting the lumbar region.

4. Ergonomic Chairs With Support Cushions

The easiest and most economical solution in the ergonomic chairs is the cushion support while working in the office. The cushion helps the back to adjust itself with a double layer of support. The arch is supported by the cushion and relieves the pain and stress from the back. It is the cheaper, add-on solution to any chair.  This is not as effective as a chair designed for lumbar support.  The cushions can move during use, be placed in wrong areas, padding may become worn over time.  Still, it is better than nothing, and if the other options we have stated isn\'t for you. A huge advantage this has over the other options is that it is portable.  You can fix your posture in your car when you drive, at your office at work, at home when reading a book or just sitting around with the family.  So this is a great addition for situations where you don\'t have control of your seat.

Which Is The Best Chair To Fix Your Posture And Relieve Back Pain?

There is no one size fits all solution for everyone.  To fix your posture and relieve back pain, consider a suitable replacement for your standard chair.  This simple change could be the best and easiest way to address your pain issues while eliminating the biggest cause of it. Of the chairs mentioned, we like the kneeling chair as the best solution.  It incorporates spinal alignment along with a range of movements accessible while keeping good posture and reducing stress on the back.  

Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair

Although the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair (Full Review Here) may be expensive, it still has a charm as being the original kneeling Chair.  Tradition aside, it is still arguably the best kneeling chair on the market.  There are many other competitors (-see our Kneeling Chair Comparison Guide), but the quality and design are second to none with Varier.   This kneeler is the choice when it comes to severe back pain relief based owner reviews. The majority of owners give it great reviews, saying that It has provided relief, and most say it is money well-spent.  It is capable of supporting surgery patients and aiding in relieving existing back pain.  It can accommodate up to 220 lbs. (100kg) and provides strength and wellness. Those who don\'t like it generally complain of being too tall to fit, or the time it takes to adjust to the sitting style.  Those will be a problem for almost all kneelers when someone is new to them.  So long as you are of average height and can fit in a kneeler, and consider the benefits, it is worth trying.  Whether it\'s sitting straight up typing on a computer or leaning forward to sketch or reach, the rocking ability allows for the body to make small movements so that the body can maintain balance and good posture while doing different tasks.  This is similar to the ball chair, allowing for \"active sitting,\" as it engages the core while being seated. The biggest drawback is the price point.  Some users may experience difficulty in adjusting and getting used to any kneeling chair, but the benefits are totally worth the effort. => Click here to view the latest deals on Kneeling Chairs on Amazon!

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

What Causes Back Pain and How to Find Relief

Back pain is the most common complaint in today’s world. We\'ll explain back pain causes and relief. Around 80% of people have or will suffer from back pain, at least once in a lifetime. Back pain is a frequent culprit behind the absences from work and many visits to the doctor. It is uncomfortable and painful but is not severe. Individuals of all ages are affected by back pain, but it primarily affects people aged around 35-55 years. Back pain is connected with the way our muscles, bones, and ligaments work with each other.

Standard Causes of Upper and Mid- Back Pain

Pain in the upper back area occurs either due to the disorders associated with the aorta, chest tumors or spine inflammation.  The spine is a complex structure comprised of the muscles, disks, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The discs cushion the segments of the spine. These disks are cartilage-like pads. Any problem with these components might lead to back pain. But, in some cases, the cause remains unidentified. For example, osteoporosis might lead to back pain. The following are the common causes of back pain associated with upper and middle back pain:

Stress:

The most common cause of back pain is stress, which include:

the strained ligaments

tense muscles

muscle spasm

The leading causes of spasm or strain include:

improper lifting

lifting heavy objects

an awkward or abrupt movement

Structural Problems:

The following structural deformities might lead to back pain:

Ruptured discs: put pressure on the nerves

Bulging discs: they are the same as ruptured discs, but nerves exert more pressure.

Sciatica: it leads to sharp, shooting pain which travels from the buttock to the legs.

It results in herniated or bulging discs pressing on the nerve.

Arthritis: patients suffering from osteoarthritis experience the pain in hip joints, knees, lower back, and hands.

Arthritis in some cases can result in spinal stenosis, narrowing space around the spinal cord.

Abnormality in the spine curvature can cause back pain. Scoliosis is a condition, where the spine curves on a side.

Osteoporosis: in this condition, the bones become porous and brittle resulting in compression fractures.

Other Causes

Cauda equine syndrome

Spinal cancer

Infection of the spine

Other types of infections

Shingles

Sleep disorders

Bad mattress

Poor posture or everyday activities might also result in back pain, which includes pushing or pulling something.

Other events include bending, carrying or lifting something, sitting for long periods.

Some natural reflexes and hobbies can contribute as well: 

sneezing or coughing

twisting or over-stretching

muscle tension

standing or bending down for long periods

long driving sessions

straining the neck for hours while using the computer or driving.

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain?

The pain in the lower back is associated with the lumbar region.  The pain in the lower back is linked with the nerves, spinal cord, and lower back muscles. It is also associated with the skin covering the lumbar region, and the internal organs of the pelvic and abdominal region.

Following are the specific causes of low back pain:

Lumbar strain:  the stress injury to the lumbar ligaments, tendons or muscles). It can be acute or chronic.

Lumbar radiculopathy:  the nerve irritation which occurs due to the disc damage between the vertebrae

Nerve irritation:  the nerves within the lumbar region might get irritated due to the mechanical pressure exerted by the tissues, bones or muscles

Other causes of back pain include:

pregnancy

kidney problems

ovary issues

tumors

Uncommon causes of lower back pain include:

Paget’s disease of the bone

infection or bleeding of the pelvis

infection or bleeding of the bones or cartilage of the spine

shingles

aneurysm aorta.

Back Pain Symptoms and Diagnosis

The signs and symptoms of back pain causes include:

Stabbing or shooting pain

Muscle ache

Radiating pain which travels to your legs

Limited motion or flexibility in your back

Incontinence of stool or urine

Weakness in the lower extremity along with the atrophy of the lower back muscles

When to Consult Your Doctor

Most types of back pain improve with the help of home treatments either within one-two weeks. In rare cases, you need to see your doctor when there is a severe medical problem. Consult your physician for immediate care if your pain leads to signs of the following conditions:

New bladder or bowel problems

Fever accompanied by pain

You fall after either a blow or injury on your back

See your doctor if you have severe back pain or pain spreading down to your legs. Consult them if your pain does not resolve with rest, or if you feel a numb, weak or tingling sensation in either leg. You should also consult the doctor if you experience weight loss with back pain, or you have back pain for the first time in your life at the age of 50. See them if you have a severe medical condition, such as osteoporosis, cancer, alcohol or drug abuse, or you are using steroids.

Diagnostic Tests

A doctor might order several tests:

An imaging test such as an MRI or XRAY, CAT scanning

Urine and blood tests

Bone scanning tests

Back Pain Relief

Back pain relief depends upon the daily life routine. Treatment for every individual is unique.  There are two types of back pain: acute and chronic. Acute back pain is short-term, while chronic pain is of a long-term duration.

Home Remedies for Back Pain

The treatment for mild to moderate levels of back pain include:

Exercise

Heat or ice

Over-the-counter medicines such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),

for instance, Aspirin or Acetaminophen.

Automated or Manual therapies such as massage, spinal manipulation or mobilization

Topical analgesic, e., pain killing balms

Elimination of heavy lifting

Avoiding re-injury

Orthopedic Shoes

Practicing proper posture

Using a standing desk or kneeling chair

Inversion Tables

Medical Treatments and Procedures

If your back pain is severe, consult your doctor for:

Cortisone injections

Physical therapy, possibly including the application of ice, heat, electrical stimulation or by ultrasound.

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy helps in managing the back pain causes and relief)

The doctors might also suggest the complementary therapies to minimize back pain causes and relief, which may include:

Chiropractor

Osteopath

Shiatsu

Acupuncture

Yoga

Other treatments include:

A surgical procedure is rare and includes methods such as:

Discectomy

Artificial disc placement

Joining together by the placement of bone graft

By partial removal of the vertebrae

TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation)

Back Pain Prevention

Follow the simple steps to lower the risk of back pain causes and relief:

Exercise regularly

Core exercises and stretches

Smoking has an increased association with back pain compared to the non-smokers

Standing posture should be straight

Using a kneeling chair or standing desk

Lift things while using your legs instead of pressure on the back

Flat shoes might result in back strain

Use a mattress which keeps your spine straight, and supports your hips, shoulders, and back

Avoid injury to the low back

Conclusion:

So far we have discussed many back pain causes and relief. Consult your doctor if you have severe pain. Choose the medications according to your medical conditions, treatment goals, i.e., pain killing effects, reducing the inflammation and muscle pain.  

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Standing Desk Buyer\'s Guide: Benefits, Features, and More

Have you noticed that every new generation appears to get a bit bigger with more health problems? Stores are full of low fat, low sugar and added vitamin options. However, people today are more lethargic and suffer more from obesity than ever before. With the right kind of desk, you can help yourself avoid these pitfalls and this standing desk buyer\'s guide is just what you need. This guide will help to explain this modern mystery. Anybody who works in an office environment where they must sit for long periods of time can see many benefits from the use of a standing desk.

What Are the Benefits of a Standing Desk?

In recent years, medical research on people’s health by their lifestyle choices has uncovered quite a bit. The most startling discovery is that excessive periods of time sitting at work is a significant health risk. The human body was never designed to sit for long periods of time. The increased health risks associated with long periods of sitting don’t seem to matter much even if you participate in physical exercise outside of the time you are sitting. Standing and movement reduce the risks to your health so time spent standing at work provides health benefits. These include:

significant improvements in upper back and neck pain

improved comfort and energy levels

improved focus and productivity levels

decrease stress levels

This is not just some fad or crackpot notion developed by a handful of fringe scientists. Many of these research studies are conducted by highly reputed medical institutions or government organizations. Workers who sit all day at work will frequently sit for another one or two hours at home watching television, checking out social media sites on their computer, reading or playing video games. This leads to an average thirteen hours per day sitting, followed by eight hours of sleep. That\'s an average of twenty-one sedentary hours each day.

The Hazards of Sitting

A 2008 study funded by the American Heart Association recommended that: “It is time to consider excessive sitting a serious health hazard, with the potential for ultimately giving consideration to the inclusion of too much sitting (or too few breaks from sitting) in physical activity and health guidelines.” Health risks of excessive sitting include an increased chance of:

cardiovascular disease

cancer

type 2 diabetes

metabolic syndrome

obesity

back and neck pain

Using a standing desk is an ideal way of avoiding the risks associated with occupational sitting while gaining the health benefits associated with standing. Office workers who have used adjustable desks have reported that the constant change between standing and sitting encourages them to complete tasks within the twenty to the forty-minute period between shifts. Using a standing desk also helps to improve focus. We\'ll go over just a few of the health risks you can avoid in this standing desk buyer\'s guide. Cardiovascular Disease In a report prepared by the Center for Disease Control for the President and Congress of the United States, it was reported that heart disease is the most common cause of death in America. There is a strong link between cardiovascular disease and a sedentary lifestyle. A classic study published by a well reputed British medical journal in 1953 compared the rates of coronary heart disease of drivers and conductors on London buses, where the drivers sat for long periods of time while their colleagues walked and stood for the same length of time. The researchers found a clear correlation between the more sedentary occupation and increased rates of heart disease. Cancer The Center for Disease Control publication reports that cancer is the second most common cause of death in America. There is an extremely well researched and documented link between a sedentary lifestyle and cancer. A long-term research project conducted by the American Cancer Society and published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention in 2015 demonstrated that excessive sitting increases the risk of cancer for women. Over 77,000 cancer-free women were observed for an average sixteen years and then their sitting time compared to the development of cancer. The study suggests that prolonged sitting leads to a 65% increased risk of multiple myeloma, a 43% increased risk of ovarian cancer, and a 10% increased risk of breast cancer. This increased risk was demonstrated to be independent of physical activity, including exercise. Diabetes The American Diabetes Association has repeatedly warned the public that there is an established link between the risk of health complications and excessive sitting. They recommend that periods of sitting should be broken up at least once every thirty minutes with three or more minutes light exercise. In fact, they even organize a National Get Fit Don\'t Sit Day on the first Wednesday of May every year. Obesity A 2014 academic paper published in The Journal of the American Medical Association discovered than one-third of American adults and one-sixth of children are clinically obese. There is an established link between long periods of sitting and a risk of obesity which is independent of how much physical exercise a person engages in. A study that appeared the same year in the medical journal, Diabetologia, examined the duration of vigorous and moderate exercise and sitting time of 3,670 men and women over a two-year period from 1997 to 1999 and then returned to assess their health after five years and then again after ten years. They discovered that both low levels of sitting time and regular exercise were needed to significantly reduce the risk of obesity. Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a collection of health issues that frequently occur together: high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol levels, and excessive body fat on the waistline. This condition increases the risk of strokes, diabetes, and heart disease. The desk features that we feature in this standing desk buyer\'s guide tend to help with many of the risk factors that lead to metabolic syndrome. There is evidence of a strong correlation between metabolic syndrome and long periods of sitting. A 2016 study of adults in South Korea found that a sedentary occupation combined with excessive sitting outside of work led to a 1.21 fold higher risk of contracting metabolic syndrome. A 2015 study of older adults in America examined a group of 1,198 adults and discovered a strong relationship between sedentary time and a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. This study, while not a very large study with regards to scope, resulted in a clear link between sitting or laying down for long periods regularly and developing this syndrome. Back & Neck Pain Sitting for long periods can cause neck and back pain, especially when combined with bad posture or whole-body vibration (such as a helicopter pilot or bus driver might feel). Most people reading this standing desk buyer\'s guide are looking for a desk like this because of back and neck pain.

Avoid the Dangers of Sitting and Improve Your Posture at the Same Time

Studies have shown that most health risks are associated with bad posture, for example, Association Between Sitting and Occupational Lower Back Pain published in the European Spine Journal in 2007. If you are required to sit much of the day due to your working environment, it may lead to Low Back Pain or LBP. By incorporating a standing desk, like one with the features described in this standing desk buyer\'s guide, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing LBP that will lead to other health problems later on. These risks may be lowered by following proper seating guidelines issued by relevant health professionals and medical bodies. For example, the British National Health Service recommends that when you are seated at work:

adjust your chair back so that your lower spine is adequately supported. With your knees slightly lower than your hips

adjust your chair height so your forearms and wrists are horizontal when using a keyboard, elbows beside your body, your arm forming an L shape

your feet should rest on a footrest or the floor (this is one of the most important factors that we cannot stress enough in this standing desk buyer\'s guide - don\'t let your feet hang or rest out in front of you)

crossing legs may contribute to posture-related conditions

your screen should remain at eye level with the assistance of a monitor stand if necessary as bending your neck can lead to problems

take regular breaks to change your posture — frequent short breaks are better than fewer long ones

Obviously, if you use a standing desk then you will avoid the risks of neck and back pain associated with sitting for long periods of time.

How Do You Use a Standing Desk?

The best way to use a standing desk is to alternate frequently between sitting and standing while at work. Research studies have proven that both sitting and standing for long periods of time can have adverse effects on health. Cornell University recommends that you should alternate between twenty minutes of sitting with good posture, eight minutes standing, and two minutes of moving, eg. walking or gentle stretching. The major health benefits come from moving around rather than remaining sedentary. The ultimate way to achieve this is by using a standing desk in combination with a treadmill. Some standing desks are actually meant to be used on a treadmill while working. A standing desk buyer\'s guide like this can give you more details on the right standing desk for you. Whether you are standing or sitting, it is important to ensure that your monitor is at eye height and your keyboard in a position where it is in an ergonomic position. This will help to prevent neck and back pain and encourage correct posture. Leave a small gap between your keyboard and the edge of your desk sufficient to allow you to rest your wrists between bouts of typing.

A Standing Desk Buyer\'s Guide - What to Look For

No matter which type of standing desk you decide to go with, there is a wide range of makes and models to choose from as well. However, not every make and model will suit every user. It is important to choose a design that is perfect for your needs and which offers you the best health benefits.

Weight Capacity

Every standing desk has a maximum weight capacity. With electric standing desks, this is often determined by the power of the motor that does the adjusting. If you intend to keep a lot of heavy items on your desk, it would be a good idea to weigh the items on your desk right now and then ensure that any desk you consider purchasing can hold significantly more than that weight.

Height and Adjustability

Consider the maximum and minimum height of the table and of the person who is going to use it. If the user is unusually tall or unusually short, some desks will not be viable for them to use. The standard range is around twenty-one to fifty-six inches high. Remember that the user should be able to stand at the desk with their monitor at eye height but their forearms and wrists horizontal while they use the keyboard to minimize back pain and promote correct posture. Correct posture is one of the many reasons why you may be reading this standing desk buyer\'s guide.

Assembly

Note that many standing desks do not come assembled. For the sake of your sanity, please read the assembly plans carefully and ensure that you have all the tools you require and that all the parts are present before you begin to put together your desk. After you have read this standing desk buyer\'s guide, it would be a good idea to research the market as thoroughly as possible to ensure that you know what all the benefits and drawbacks of each make and model of the standing desk are. Read as many reviews as you can find. Take special note of issues related to stability after standing desks have been in use for some time.

Types of Adjustable Desks: Pros and Cons

The best standing desks will allow easy adjustment between standing and sitting and also to obtain the ideal height, ergonomically speaking, for your keyboard and monitor. Sometimes this adjustment will be manual. However, many of the higher end models are equipped with an electric motor so that they may be adjusted at the press of a button. Manually adjusting standing desks require you to perform some action to lift and lower the desk, such as turning a hand crank. While this might not be a particularly strenuous or time-consuming process, it is not as easy or as swift as pressing a button. Electric standing desks use motors hidden inside the desk base and are designed to be as quiet as possible. However, they do make some noise when operating, which can distract other workers. Typically, they are louder than a whisper but quieter than a normal level conversation. Electric standing desks must be positioned close to a power source. A low powered motor limits the weight capacity of your standing desk. Be sure to have a standing desk that can handle the weight of the items on your desk. Hydraulic adjustable standing desks use a combination of a counterbalance mechanism and a hydraulic gas cylinder, which makes them super easy to lift by hand, usually by the means of a lever that lowers or raises the desk. These do not need to be positioned next to a power source, are easier to adjust than fully manual adjustable standing desks, but are much quieter than electrically adjustable standing desks.

Standing Desk Accessories

Some standing desks come with built-in accessories, such as a wire or keyboard tray. More upmarket models may have fancy features, like tabletop surfaces made to be especially responsive to your mouse or even built-in speakers. This guide is the perfect way to tell you about the features that you may want to look for in your first (or next) standing desk.

Extended Height Chair

This standing desk buyer\'s guide is meant to tell you about desks. However, you will probably also need a chair for when you will be sitting at the desk, which you will be doing at some point - you can\'t be expected to stand all the time.  Going back and forth between sitting and standing throughout the day is best for your back and posture. If your standing desk is not adjustable, but you want to sit, there is an option for you to use an extended height chair. These standing desk chairs were originally designed for people working on drawing boards when architects and engineers worked on near vertical sloping tables, sometimes called drafting tables. Such chairs offer a backrest and footrest which allow you to adopt a normal sitting position with your feet supported even when you are sitting much higher than you would in a normal chair. While these aren\'t a traditional standing desk, we still want to cover them in this standing desk buyer\'s guide as they are an option for sitting at a standing desk without having to adjust it. When choosing an appropriate standing desk chair:

ensure it has an adjustable backrest so you can obtain adequate support for your lower back

the seat must offer a backward and forward tilt, allowing a variety of sitting postures

ensure the chair can be raised high enough that your elbows can be positioned above the work surface level when seated

a model offering a footrest is preferable

Standing Desk Mat

When you are standing behind your standing desk, placing your feet on a standing desk mat (anti-fatigue mat) can help to keep you comfy. These come in two basic styles: flat or contoured. The contoured encourage movement so that when you\'re standing behind your standing desk, you can adopt many slightly different standing postures rather than just one. As has been mentioned so many times in this standing desk buyer\'s guide, movement promotes better health. Good quality standing desk mats must be durable, resist spills and stains, and be easy to wipe clean.

Standing Desk Alternatives

It may be that you decide not to invest in a standing desk. If you are standing on the fence, trying to decide whether to buy a standing desk or not, then you might like to consider one of the options detailed below.

DIY Standing Desks

Creating your own standing desk is much simpler than it sounds. If you already have a traditional desk but want to experience the benefits of a standing desk, find a small, low table and place it on top of your old desk. Ensure that the top of the small table is wide enough and stable enough for your computer monitor. Ideally, the monitor should then be at eye height when you\'re standing. You need to leave sufficient room for your keyboard on the old desk in front of the small table, and you may need to adjust the height of the keyboard so that when typing your forearms and wrists are level with the floor. This may be done with a stack of over-sized books or some flat pieces of wood. A DIY standing desk will be easily converted back to a traditional sitting desk simply by removing the small table and keyboard platform. A stool or a chair may be an alternative to a small table if they are wide enough and sufficiently stable to hold your monitor. If your old desk is a valuable antique, don\'t forget to protect its surface from the chair or table legs using coasters or a protective mat. Are you ready to try creating a DIY standing desk to see if it\'s right for you? This arrangement may not be aesthetically pleasing, but you can always use a tablecloth or a large piece of fabric to cover the small table and desk to mask your DIY creation. If over time you find that you prefer using a standing desk, then you may consider purchasing a purpose made the standing desk. The advantage of a purpose made standing desk is that it is more visually attractive and probably much more stable than your own creation. Also, it will be much easier to adjust. If you are a talented carpenter, then you may decide that you can create your own purpose-built standing desk. If you do this, make sure that your creation is capable of easily adjusting to sitting and standing rapidly. 

Standing Desk Converters

Standing desk converters (also known as risers) are an affordable way to try out standing desks on a tight budget. Essentially, risers work in the same way as placing a small table on top of your old desk, but they are purpose-built for the task. They will be more stable and aesthetically pleasing than a small table or stool atop your old desk. One problem with using some risers is that if you wish to alternate between sitting and standing (as is recommended by health professionals to maximize the benefits of standing at work) then you must manually move your monitor and keyboard each time you change from sitting to standing. The trouble of doing this may quickly lead to you sitting all the time rather than going through the process of moving all your equipment each time you want to change. There are risers available that can lift and drop your monitor and keyboard, and these may be more convenient for you to use than a fixed riser. Risers are often easier to set up than a purpose-built standing desk. Many of these risers come already assembled and ready to use. Risers are a great option which is why they are being recommended as just one of the ways you can see benefits from standing while at work, and are being covered here. Several manufacturers produce a folding variety of standing desk that may be transported around with you. These are great if your job requires you to work in multiple locations. These are lightweight and easily adjustable. They are a viable option when you are seeking a standing desk to buy. They usually operate in the same way as a regular riser.

Conclusion

Because most office workers today are sitting themselves to death, it is in your best interest to investigate the many health benefits that come from using a good quality standing desk. We hope you have gained enough helpful information through reading this standing desk buyer\'s guide that you can use when purchasing your own.  

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Kneeling Chair Benefits Over Ergonomic Office Chairs

Does sitting all day at work leave you with pain in your lower back? Did you realize that the main cause of your back pain may actually be your office chair? The best solution to your problem may simply be to swap your ergonomic office chair for a kneeling chair. Kneeling chair benefits far outweigh the benefits of regular office chairs.

What Is The Problem With Office Chairs?

The human body was not designed to sit for long periods of time in a fixed position. By nature, we are nomadic people who gather or hunt food as we go, always on the move, always stretching for the next berry or nut. Modern western civilization has enforced ideas in society. As children, it is drilled into us that we should sit up straight in high-backed chairs at the table to eat. As adults, we enter a work environment where we\'re told to use a swivel chair at our desk at work. However, in the past people often adopted different means of sitting while working or eating. In India, people traditionally ate sitting cross-legged. In Japan, people knelt while eating. In Ancient Rome, they even reclined at banquets. By forcing our bodies to adopt unnatural postures for extended periods of time, we may actually be causing ourselves serious harm. The stresses caused by this uncomfortable posture may lead to neck and back pain. The fact that we are sedentary rather than moving means that we don\'t utilize our limbs and muscles in the way we should. In the long-term, this can damage your posture. Although ergonomic elements have been built into many modern office chairs, they still essentially work in the same way as their wooden ancestors. Often the level of support they supply to your body is inadequate.

What Are The Kneeling Chair Benefits?

Many people are under the false impression that the only posture you can adopt in a kneeling chair is to kneel. Kneeling chairs are designed to be much more flexible in use than any traditional office chair, allowing you to adopt many different kinds of posture and vary your leg position as your day progresses. Varying position on a regular basis helps to prevent the kind of strain injuries that frequently cause back pain and neck pain as well as encouraging bad posture. One of the huge kneeling chair benefits is the frequent natural movements encouraged by a kneeling chair is that this builds up seldom used muscles. Many kneeling chairs, like the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair, incorporate a rocking base, which means that you will frequently move while sitting and so have to shift position to compensate and remain balanced. A rocking base also means that each pose adopted will likely be slightly different to the one before. Frequent movements awaken dormant muscles in your abdomen and lower back. Training these muscles in this way helps to strengthen your core and spine, thus improving posture and spinal health. However, when you swap your old traditional chair for a more ergonomic chair design, you may find that your body aches. This is because those dormant muscles are not accustomed to being used so much. Of course, this is a temporary problem because those muscles will soon grow stronger from more frequent use. To gain maximum benefit and minimum pain, it\'s sometimes a good idea when you first buy a kneeling chair to only use it for short periods of time and continue using your old chair. Over a period of time, say a month, increase the proportion of time you spend sitting on your kneeling chair so that eventually you only use the kneeling chair.

Why Is A Kneeling Chair Better Than An Ergonomic Office Chair?

In recent decades designers have become increasingly focused on creating more ergonomic designs. Many office chairs manufactured today incorporate some element of ergonomic design, making them superior to the chairs frequently used in offices, say, fifty years ago. In Norway during the late seventies, Hans Christian Mengshoei became very interested in the idea of a chair designed especially to be used in a kneeling posture. Inspired by his ideas, respected designers like Peter Opsvik (world-renowned, award-winning designer of the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair) created the very first kneeling chairs. Opsvik and his colleagues were also convinced that frequent movements and shifts in posture were important for improving posture and spinal health. When kneeling chairs appeared on the furniture scene in 1979, they were completely revolutionary. Instead of simply making small improvements on an old design, these chairs broke the mold. Where other chairs encourage a static position, these chairs encourage movement. Where other chairs only offer one basic seated position, these offer multiple poses. Where the primary seating mode of other chairs is the traditional seat, these chairs emphasize kneeling modes alongside more traditional seated postures. When you buy a chair like the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair, you are not simply buying another chair. You are buying a whole new mode of sitting. By allowing your body a broader range of natural movements, a kneeling chair helps you to alleviate lower back pain and also improve posture.

A Kneeling Chair Benefits Everybody

Everybody is different, and some people might not be able to grow accustomed to the very different sitting posture adopted on a kneeling chair, or they may not be able to get used to the frequent movements. However, perhaps everybody should take the time to try this mode of sitting, since it does offer significant health benefits, especially by reducing the causes of back pain and helping to improve posture. A kneeling chair benefits those who suffer from back pain, neck pain or wish to improve your posture. If you are in good health, this kind of chair can still provide health benefits by helping to prevent future spinal health issues or bad posture. Some people with severe back pain or perhaps disabilities related to the spine may not benefit from a kneeling chair. If you fall into this group, it may be advisable for you to consult with your physician before attempting to sit in such a chair. Better safe than sorry. Although the original Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair did not come with a backrest, many kneeling chair designs today do incorporate a padded backrest. People with spinal problems may find such chairs better to use. Many of the kneeling chair designs that do not incorporate a supportive back do have one as an optional extra purchased separately.  There is also a soft tape for the rocker-type chairs.  This tape will protect your floor from scratches and marks made from the rocking motion.

A Few Last Thoughts

If you have only ever used a traditional office chair, and you are in reasonable health, you really should try a kneeling chair. Making this change is simple, and if you don\'t like it then you can always swap back again. By making this change, you may significantly improve your posture and alleviate back pain. Why not see if a kneeling chair benefits you? => Check out the latest deals for kneeling chairs at Amazon.

[altbackpainremedies-blog]

Kneeling Office Chair Reviews & How to Choose One

You may be thinking about buying a kneeling office chair after seeing something on TV about some benefits they have over traditional office chairs. Or perhaps, like me, you actually saw a study about them. Did you know that kneeling chairs maintain the curvature of the spine as if you were standing instead of sitting in a chair, which is much better for your back? Many ergonomic kneeling chairs, including several listed here, have been endorsed by celebrities, featured on TV programs, or been reviewed in news articles. We will let you know the features of these chairs and let you know how to choose the best kneeling chair for you.

The Kneeling Office Chairs

The 8 chairs we feature here have been chosen because of their features and because of their health benefits. Each one is slightly different and because of your own needs, one may be a bit more beneficial to you over another. Look these over and choose the one that will best suit your needs.

What to Look for in a Kneeling Office Chair

You need to look for features that will benefit you in a kneeling chair, and not pay for extra features that won’t benefit you. In these kneeling chair reviews, we will show you plenty of features, but not all of them are things that you need or want, in your new or first chair of this kind. What are the features you need to look for:

Do you want a solid frame, a rocking frame, or casters?

Do you need handles, a cup holder, or nothing added to the sides at all?

Do you need a backrest, or the ability to add a backrest later? Will your backrest need to be adjustable?

How high or low does your kneeling chair need to be adjusted to? This will be dependent on your height and the height of your work surface.

If you are heavier, do you need a chair that will accommodate a bigger person?

Do you want one made of wood or metal?

How much padding do you want?

All of these questions and more if you can think of them should be asked when purchasing your ergonomic kneeling chair.

Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair

The Original Balans kneeling chair, (see Full Review) helps promote a more natural posture in that you sit upright more easily, reducing tension in the neck and shoulders. This is especially true if you sit for long periods during the day or if you find yourself at a computer for long hours. The rocking motion that the Balans kneeling chair allows for aids in building core muscles even as you sit in your kneeling office chair. The structure of the chair is made from beech core and it is covered in real ash. This gives it a great look but also makes it lightweight if you need to move the chair around your office. The pads that you kneel and sit on come in various colors so you can find something that fits your décor or personality. With parts that are made from 100% post-consumer materials, Varier has put an emphasis on protecting the environment as well as your posture. This chair has been named as one of the top 50 designs that have “changed the world.” It truly did change the way people sit and work. If you are looking for something a little different, you can also try the Varier ThatSit Balans Kneeling Chair with Backrest. This ergonomic kneeling chair offers a bit more support if you have back problems. Or, there is the Varier Variable Padded Backrest that you can add to any other Varier kneeling chair. The Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair is rated at 4 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a wooden kneeling chair, a rocking kneeling chair, or you just want the one that truly started the ergonomic kneeling chair phenomenon that has reduced pain for many people, even those that already have back problems or injuries.

SLEEKFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair

It’s easy to feel the kneeling chair benefits when you first sit in the SLEEFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair. Not only will it help improve your posture but you will notice decreased back and neck pain as well as reduced tension in the shoulders if you work at a computer for long periods of time. With double the cushion on both the seat and kneeling pads than most other competitor’s kneeling office chairs, this chair makes it easier to switch from a traditional office chair to a kneeling one, especially if you are concerned about comfort. Even with this cushion, you won’t sink into it – you have support. Unlike the Varier chair above that rocks, this SLEEKFORM chair comes with casters so you can easily move around your office. Both have kneeling chair benefits. If you are looking for a chair without casters and can rock, but would still like to try this SLEEKFORM product, there is always the SLEEKFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair - Better Posture Kneeling Stool. The rocking motion allows more movement and the ability to work the core while sitting.  Similar to the Varier product above, at a fraction of the cost. This chair has a 4 out of 5-star rating and has many solid reviews from users that have tried it. There is a 90-day return policy for this kneeling chair. However, this chair does have a weight capacity of 220 pounds so it is important to take that into consideration.

Office Star Ergonomically Designed Knee Chair with Casters

The Office Star Ergonomically Designed Knee Chair with Casters is a more affordable option if you’d like to step into the kneeling chair arena gradually. It is a wooden kneeling chair made with a mahogany base and memory foam pads that offer a lot of support. This ergonomic kneeling chair is adjustable for people of different heights so whether you are shorter or taller, you can adjust this chair to fit you properly. This is important when sitting in any kneeling chair because you need to be able to get the proper posture. Both patients with healthy backs and those already suffering with back pain see the benefits of using a properly adjusted ergonomic kneeling chair, according to Science Direct. If you like the kneeling chair benefits that this chair has but would like it with a metal frame instead, Office Star has another option for you. The Office Star Ergonomically Designed Knee Chair with Casters, Memory Foam and Black Metal Base Black may be just what you are looking for. This option can accommodate a bit more weight. Either of these kneeling chairs is rated at 3.5 stars out of 5 and has ratings by users that vary between 1 and 5. However, many of those ratings could be solved with proper adjustment of the chair.

MallBoo Heavy Duty Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Fabric Memory Foam Seat Cushion

With the buttocks tilted forward, the weight supported by the knees and less pressure on the back, the MallBoo Heavy Duty Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Fabric Memory Foam Seat Cushion offers many of the same benefits as the Varier kneeling chair. It even has a similar rocking, wooden kneeling chair frame. However, this chair allows for a bit more cushion with memory foam seat and kneeling pads. This chair comes in four colors: black, blue, green, and red. You can choose a color that suits your office, or even a contrasting color it to make your kneeling chair stand out. One great benefit of this chair is that the kneeling pads can be rotated to make the kneeling space smaller. This makes the chair more accessible for children, students, or smaller adults that feel more comfortable with their knees closer. Users that are much taller – even as tall as 6’ 3” – report no issues using this chair. This chair is rated a solid 4 out of 5 stars. This is a solid product that has many benefits for the user, including adjustability in a rocking kneeling chair, which is sometimes harder to find.

Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Handles

The Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Handles has a unique feature – the handles. These polyurethane foam-covered handles provide support when you need to adjust yourself in the chair as well as allow you an easier time of getting into and out of the kneeling chair. If you haven’t used a kneeling chair before, this feature may be very beneficial to you when starting out. This chair is also height adjustable so you can get it to the correct height depending on your own height or the height of the surface you are working at. Many users love the look of this chair because it has a silver powder coated steel frame. It stands out but is supportive, being steel. With a sloping seat, it means that the seat leans forward allowing you more of a place to rest against rather than actually sit “on.” While many of the seats here have this design, this one has that added benefit of handles to support you. When sitting on a sloped surface, especially with kneeling chairs, improvements in specific measurements in radiological reports has been seen in studies related to back pain with controls. The Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Handles has earned itself a 3.5 star out of 5 rating. Ratings given by users are pretty even and many have mentioned the kneeling chair benefits of being able to sit up straighter, no matter what the task is they are trying to accomplish.

KHALZ Kneeling Chair with 50% Extra Padding

Who doesn’t love more padding, especially when it comes to where you are sitting? The KHALZ Kneeling Chair with 50% Extra Padding offers just that. This padding is comfortable to sit on, offering relaxed support for tired joints and a tired back, but this cushion won’t break down and sag over time, giving you a hard surface that won’t hold you up in the ergonomic kneeling chair. The KHALZ Kneeling Chair also features casters so you can get around on your kneeling office chair easily, getting to all of the important places in your office without getting up and down. The up and down, up and down stress can be just as hard on your back as sitting in a traditional office chair. The height of this chair can be adjusted to a minimum height of just 20.5” and up to a maximum height of 30”. You are sure to find a comfortable height for you and your work surface. It is recommended that those over 240 pounds not use this chair. However, the strong steel frame can support users up to this weight for a long period of use. This kneeling office chair has earned a 4 out of 5-star rating and most of those reviews by consumers are 5 stars, praising the many kneeling chair benefits they’ve found through the use of this chair.

Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Posture Chair with Reclining Back

The natural wood finish of the frame, as well as the navy-blue upholstery, make the Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Posture Chair with Reclining Back looks just as professional as the rest of your office. You’ll love the wonderful feel of the 2.5 inches of thick padding on the back rest, seat, and knee pads of this kneeling office chair as you either kneel or lay in comfort to work. That’s one of the features that sets this chair apart from the rest on this list. You can actually recline to lay back in this chair. If your back needs a rest, just take a break from the computer for a few moments and adjust the chair so you can recline. What little pressure the kneeling office chairs do allow for when sitting in them will be relieved when you recline. This is especially helpful if you do have lower back pain, but you should always make sure, by talking with your health care professional, that you are choosing the right chair for your needs. It has been found, through numerous studies including this one, that when the seat is set to the proper inclination, a kneeling office chair can provide the back with the same curvature as when standing. This is the most neutral position for the spine and should be maintained as often as possible. This chair allows for that both with an adjustable seat and with the reclining back rest. With a 3.5 star out of 5 rating, you can rest assured that this is a quality product that many have found both useful and reliable.

Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair in Black Fabric

The Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair in Black Fabric has many of the basic features we’ve featured in kneeling office chairs above, but it puts them together in a neat little package. You will get dual-wheel casters for a smooth ride around the office. You get an appealing look and sturdy wooden frame with the natural wood. And the black upholstery shows off nearly 3 full inches of padding that will make this a very comfortable chair to sit in. It is height adjustable and has the ergonomic, sloping seat design. You still get all of the same benefits that we’ve mentioned above, such as the shoulder tension relief and the back and neck pain relief. You will see the change in the adjustment of your lower back if you were to actually get x-rays before using it and then a few months after using it every day – if you wanted proof it was actually working. You will see fewer headaches. However, this chair is a bit more affordable than some of the others so you may want to give this one a try if you are looking for a kneeling office chair with casters and want to jump into the world of kneeling chairs. The Flash Furniture kneeling chair has a 3.5 out of 5-star rating and the reviews are fairly solid with many stating that this is a high-quality product that they would purchase again.

Comparison Chart

Now that we’ve seen the overall features of these eight products, let’s compare them side-by-side, shall we? Sometimes it’s easier to get a clear picture of the products that way. [wpsm_comparison_table id=\"2\" class=\"\"]

The Verdict

The kneeling office chair that we pick for our own offices would have to be the MallBoo Heavy Duty Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Fabric Memory Foam Seat Cushion. There are several reasons why we choose this one over all the rest:

It is affordable compared to the Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair but has many of the same benefits and qualities.

The adjustability of the chair to fit both children and adults makes it a perfect choice for the whole family.

Being able to rock in the chair helps to build strong core muscles, which also improves posture and reduces back pain over time.

The chair comes with a money back guarantee, a lifetime warranty, and you always have access to a 24-hour customer support line.

You will be very happy with your purchase of a MallBoo Heavy Duty Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair with Fabric Memory Foam Seat Cushion.

In Summary about your Ergonomic Kneeling Office Chair

We’ve gone over eight of our favorite kneeling office chairs for you and told you why we like them. It’s up to you now to decide which of them would be the best for you. You may even want to print out this article and take it to your next doctor’s appointment and go over the choices with them so they can help you decide which would be the best choice for your bad back. A kneeling chair can be a big change if you’re not used to alternative seating, but it can make a world of difference.