If you’ve been following the most recent trends in office culture, chances are you’ve come across the concept of ergonomic workspaces. One of the most hotly talked about trends is standing desks! Love them or hate them, standing desks are becoming more and more popular in office spaces.

While standing desks have been around for quite some time, they have only recently come into the spotlight for today’s work environment. This is thanks to recent studies that have shown sitting to be “the new smoking,” implying that sitting for long periods daily can be “just as bad” for our foot health as smoking cigarettes.

The effects of sitting all day can be detrimental, especially to our lower bodies – that includes our feet and ankles! What are the immediate benefits of a standing desk?

• Allows for better range of motion in your feet and ankles
• Aids in feeling less stiff in your feet and ankles
• Helps take the pressure off our spines from sitting
• Improves the circulation of your legs and feet

 

These all sound great, right? There are a few things to consider that can lead to a standing desk not being as fun as it might sound, however…

• Immobile standing desks mean you don’t have the option to sit when fatigued
• You will need a comfortable, durable mat to place on the hard floor
• Standing for a long time might irritate existing foot and ankle problems
• Footwear needs to comfortable and supportive

 

While the benefits outweigh the cons, it’s extremely important to consider them! Take it from us: you want to make sure you’re prepared when you decide to switch:

• Invest in a standing desk that can transform from standing to sitting easily
• Make sure you have a thick and durable mat below you to cushion your feet, even with shoes on
• Be mindful of how long you stand – standing for too long can be just as bothersome as sitting for too long

 

With that said, our last piece of advice is this: don’t let your foot and ankle problems go unaddressed until they make your new standing desk less enjoyable. Call us today to schedule an appointment at our Monroe or Lamberville, MI location with Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele at Foot & Ankle Specialists, P.C.!