Expert Tips for Better Back Health While Sitting or Standing

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Is your desk -- whether you sit or stand -- set up in a way that promotes better back health?

The Doctors welcome physical therapist Dr. Megan O'Linn from Moti Physiotherapy who shares how you should be sitting or standing at your workstation. To keep your back feeling good, Dr. O'Linn suggests the following tips:

- Your monitor should be at eye level or slightly below. Use a large book, block, box or laptop stand to help elevate your screen.

- She also recommends using a wireless keyboard and mouse if you use a laptop. While working try to keep your elbows slightly extended past 90 degrees and your arm should be in line with your body, keeping your wrists even with the keyboard.

- If you stand at your workstation, keep your feet hip-width apart. The goal is to have your ears aligned with your shoulders, and your shoulders aligned with your hips.

- Use a soft mat to stand on if you are dealing with pressure on the arches of your feet.

- A combination of sitting and standing is best and the physical therapist suggests raising the workout station for 30 minutes and then enjoy your desk chair for 30 minutes.

- Also, in between those 30 minutes cycles of sitting and standing, make sure to give yourself 2 minutes away from your workstation to walk around the house. After 3 to 4 cycles of sitting and standing, then take a 20-minute break.

Now that Dr. O'Linn has shared these important tips for better back health, it is time to make sure your workstation (which can be easily converted from a sitting desk to standing desk without having to buy a new desk!) has all the needed essentials

Get The Doctors' list of our favorite standing desks and learn about the reasons they can benefit your back and overall health and also consider these items to help you feel your best after a day of working.

Soundance Laptop Stand

Soundance Laptop Stand

The slim compact stand elevates your laptop by 6-inch to a perfect eye level and prevents you from hunching over your screen, which reduces neck and shoulder pain.

$40 $27

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Logitech Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Bundle with Gel Wrist Pad & Mouse Pad

Logitech Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Bundle with Gel Wrist Pad & Mouse Pad

This combo features a full size keyboard with numeric keypad, shortcut keys and reliable wireless connection and includes ergonomic waverest mouse pad with wrist rest to offer added comfort and support and reduces wrist stress.

$60

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Chairmat Standing Desk Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat

Chairmat Standing Desk Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat

Perfect your posture while sitting or standing and will help relieve pressure and reduce fatigue.

$60

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Engber Ergonomic Office Chair with Lumbar Support

Engber Ergonomic Office Chair with Lumbar Support

The multi-arc support design supports your entire back, neck and head, relieving back pain and protecting your spine.

$154

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FLEXISPOT Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter

FLEXISPOT Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter

This unique standing desk converter sets itself apart from other desk risers with a one-of-a-kind, u-shaped design that expands the keyboard workspace so you have more room to get things done. It's great for writing, drawing, comfortable laptop use, or for adding a full-sized keyboard and mouse.

$200

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More: Is Your Neck and Back Pain Due to Bad Posture?

More: The Essentials Needed to Help With Lower Back Pain