TMS: Reducing Back Pain with Varidesk Sit-Stand Desks

Table of Contents

1. What is a sit-stand workstation?

2. What are the benefits of sit-stand workstations?

3. When should you choose a Varidesk sit-stand platform over an electric desk?

The number of employees working while seated in front of a computer has increased significantly in recent years. This trend can be attributed to two factors: the growing number of jobs in the service sector, and, of course, the digitization of work tools. However, while computer use has become essential for the vast majority of jobs in this sector, it is very often carried out at a desk, where employees spend most of their time sitting for long hours. Sitting, however, is not a natural posture for the human body. In fact, just a few hours in the same position are enough to realize that we need to move. Tingling, numbness, and sometimes even pain can be felt in the legs, arms, back, or neck—these are signs that your body wants to stretch. Alternating between sitting, standing, and sitting-standing positions at work offers multiple physical and psychological benefits not only for the employee but also for the entire company.

Sit-stand workstations are among the solutions designed to combat a sedentary lifestyle at work, prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and address more serious health issues affecting areas such as the back, neck, and tailbone. Easy to set up and use, these platforms offer many other benefits that make them a viable alternative to height-adjustable desks.

But how do these platforms work? What are the benefits for employees and companies? How do they serve as an alternative to height-adjustable desks? Let’s take a closer look at this new tool that could revolutionize the way we work.

“Alternating between sitting, standing, and sitting-standing positions at work offers numerous physical and psychological benefits not only for employees but also for the company as a whole.”

What is a sit-stand platform?

Recently introduced in France, Varidesk sit-stand desks are an innovative tool that allows anyone to work standing up at their desk while alternating between sitting and standing positions. While their design and concept may seem unusual at first glance, they are actually very easy to use.

A Varidesk sit-stand platform can be set up on most standard desks and other fixed work surfaces; it simply rests directly on top and requires no assembly. All you need to do is place your usual workstation items on it: computer monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.

The handles on either side of the platform allow you to raise or lower it in just a few seconds with minimal effort, thanks to a spring-assisted lifting mechanism. This makes it easy to move the platform, even if it is equipped with a screen, for example.

What are the benefits of sit-stand workstations?

Equipping your office with a sit-stand desk offers numerous benefits, both for your health and your productivity.

Just like an electric sit-stand desk, a Varidesk platform is primarily designed to allow you to alternate between postures—that is, to switch from sitting to standing, and even to a combination of sitting and standing if used with an ergonomic office chair, such as a saddle chair. This “exercise” of alternating postures is recognized and recommended by several studies (1) to prevent physical pain and work-related conditions such as circulatory problems, back pain, digestive and cardiovascular disorders, and even colon cancer.

"Equipping your office with a sit-stand desk offers numerous benefits, both for your health and your productivity."

Sit-stand workstations are not only a way to prevent musculoskeletal disorders at work; they are also an ergonomic tool that can help relieve existing pain or conditions for people who cannot sit or stand for too long, or for those who need to work with their pelvis in a more open position than when they are sitting.

Finally, implementing this type of ergonomic equipment helps combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and fosters better work habits. It has recently been proven that working while standing from time to time not only improves comfort on the job but also boosts productivity by approximately 46% (1) compared to employees performing the same tasks at a fixed-height desk. Raising the platform to a standing position occasionally and for short periods helps combat monotony and stimulates thinking and activity. It’s a great way to reduce the fatigue and drowsiness often experienced when working while seated at a desk.

"Working while standing from time to time not only improves comfort on the job but also boosts productivity by approximately 46% compared to employees performing the same types of tasks at a fixed-height desk."

While physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are recognized as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide according to the WHO (3), standing for long periods of time can be just as taxing. Various health organizations therefore recommend regularly alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day. For people who work at a desk, it is recommended to stand for a total of 2 to 4 hours per day (2), broken up into short 20-minute intervals, for example. A brief meeting, a phone call, or even computer work can serve as an opportunity to “transition” to a standing position.

"For people who work at a desk, it is therefore recommended that they stand for a total of 2 to 4 hours a day, broken up into short intervals of 20 minutes, for example."

When should you choose a Varidesk sit-stand platform over an electric desk?

Workstation ergonomics can thus be improved, among other things, with an electric desk or a sit-stand platform. As noted earlier, their health benefits are similar; however, the most suitable solution depends on several factors.

If the workstation is subject to specific guidelines regarding its layout and the furniture used, it may sometimes be more practical for the company to set up a Varidesk work platform that simply sits on top of the existing desk or work surface. One of the key advantages of this equipment is that it requires no major construction or assembly: once in place, it’s ready to use.

Available in a variety of models and sizes, these platforms can fit even the most confined spaces, such as corner offices, narrow offices, or offices with limited depth.

Their portability is also appreciated by organizations and companies looking to invest in a solution that can be set up at multiple workstations on a rotating basis. Because the platform is easy to use, it can be moved more easily than an electric desk.

Finally, the financial factor can also be a motivation for investing in a sit-stand platform rather than a height-adjustable desk. Since it is less expensive than an electric desk, it can be an affordable solution for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.

Sit-Stand Workstations: The New Office Tool for Alternating Postures

What is a sit-stand platform?

What are the benefits of sit-stand workstations?

When should you choose a Varidesk sit-stand platform over an electric desk?

Further Reading