Our cataloger got a similar desk last month, but with a hand crank instead of a motor.  It is helping her hip pain quite a bit to be able to stand or sit as needed throughout the day without having to move to a different work station.  We do have a caveat to offer, though:  This particular cataloger is just 5' 7", but the top height of the desk we ordered was still not quite high enough.  A set of bricks fixed the problem, but might not have were she any taller.

Maurine McCourry
Technical Services Librarian
Hillsdale College, Mossey Library
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-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bess Sadler
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 12:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Stand Up Desks

I love geek desk: http://www.geekdesk.com I have one at home and one at work, and we have since bought two more in my department at work and even more people have asked for them. 

I highly recommend a motorized adjustable height desk. I sit and stand throughout the day depending on how bad my thoracic outlet syndrome is at the moment. You do get used to standing after awhile (in fact, part of what happens is that it forces you to get stronger), but I notice that I am better at writing prose and reading articles when I'm standing, and better at writing code when I'm seated. YMMV. 

I see these becoming a recognized best practice. The geek desk is less expensive than our usual office furniture, and even if you don't want to use it as a standing desk, being able to easily adjust the height of your desk by an inch or two can make a huge difference ergonomically. We used to have to call in a service request to building maintenance in order to adjust the height of a desk. This is much better, and it allows for the fact that one's best ergonomic position might change from day to day. 

My move to a standing desk was a major factor in my recovery from a severe pinched nerve in my neck last year (a.k.a. thoracic outlet syndrome). I combined it with body work designed to debug what it was about my posture that was causing the pain. I went to this place, and it is great, but plenty of other places can help with this too: http://www.balancecenter.com If you find a good place they will also help you look at the ergonomics of your bed, your walk, your car, your bike, your clothing, and anything else that might be reinforcing dysfunctional posture. 

It is worth the investment to figure out where you pain is coming from and to address it. A standing desk is a good start, and combines well with other strategies too. 

Good luck!

Bess

>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf 
>> Of Mark Pernotto
>> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 12:09 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Stand Up Desks
>> 
>> Despite my best efforts of sitting up straight, getting an ergonomic 
>> chair, making sure my desk is a proper height (I'm a tall guy, so my 
>> desk is 'modified' to reflect this), and I make sure I stand up and 
>> at least stretch every 30 minutes (or so), my back still bothers me some days.
>> 
>> I saw a Wired article a few months back hailing the benefits of stand 
>> up desks 
>> (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/10/mf-standing-desk/), and 
>> also found an article in NY Times (
>> 
>> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/business/stand-up-desks-gaining-fav
>> or-in-the-workplace.html?_r=1&
>> )
>> and wondered if there were any other developers/list members who used them.
>> In my mind, I'm trading one problem for another, and I'm not sure I 
>> want to be standing up all day long.  On the other hand, my back is 
>> killing me today.
>> 
>> Suggestions?
>> 
>> Mark
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Nate Hill
> [log in to unmask]
> http://4thfloor.chattlibrary.org/
> http://www.natehill.net