Working in the New World: Build from the Foundation

Working is looking a little different these days. In an attempt to make home workstations safe and comfortable, we are fielding many questions about furniture and equipment. How do we get what we need to work safely without breaking the bank? This series will help provide some tips and guidance to ensure your commitment to working at home won’t lead to discomfort and injury down the road. Let’s start with the foundation.

During a recent interaction with a client, I was reminded of the importance of the little touches that can make a big difference in our lives. We don’t think about say…socks…very much but we sure notice when a sock is not doing its job! A drooping ankle or bunching up under the foot can lead to crazy-making discomfort and annoyance. What is the largely overlooked, pushed aside “sock” of the ergonomics world? The helpful, versatile footrest.

We see abandoned footrests in nearly every office, shoved deep under desks or off in a corner under boxes of supplies. “Oh, I had one but I don’t know where it went” is an all-too-common phrase among employees. Some of those employees are actively looking for ways to minimize their back, neck, and shoulder discomfort without realizing a great tool is right under their desk.

Wait, what? A footrest can help with shoulder problems? Absolutely! Let’s look at the benefits of this humble, largely ignored piece of equipment.

Height. Unless you’re over 6’3”, desks will likely be too high for you to use comfortably, leading to upward, forward reaching (remember that shoulder discomfort?) Even fancy, electric sit/stand desks often do not lower enough to allow for a relaxed, neutral arm and shoulder position. If you can raise your chair, your arms will be much more closely aligned with your desktop height. Adding the footrest ensures foot support at that elevated height, minimizing any stress on your back and legs.

Balance. Speaking of back stress, it is absolutely essential to let your chair’s backrest take some of the body weight off your spine. If you’re concentrating on a screen or your feet are tucked under your chair, it’s all too easy to get stuck in a forward-leaning position. A slightly elevated, angled foot position can help you stay balanced back in your chair.

Pressure. Chair seat pan depths vary and not all are perfectly adjustable for our thigh length. A too short seat pan can encourage forward leaning and add pressure to the backs of the thighs. A too deep seat will press against the backs of the calves and prevent proper backrest use. A correctly positioned footrest can transfer that some of that pressure to the feet (they can take it!) allowing for better leg circulation and muscle use with less strain.

Postural variety. Many of us are what I call “foot-fidgeters.” We cross our legs, put our feet on our casters, and sometimes even sit on our feet looking for a way to get comfortable. When standing, we naturally move more, which is great, but sometimes our legs, low back, and feet get fatigued and sore. A sturdy, freely tilting footrest can give you a comfortable target for your feet when seated, allow for movement in a safe and neutral postures, and even provide a comfortable way to alternate foot elevation while standing to keep that low back and circulation moving!

In short, footrests are a versatile, inexpensive solution no matter what your work environment looks like these days. The best are sturdy as well as height and tilt adjustable. Some models we’ve had good success with include the Mind Reader Comfy Adjustable Footrest, the Fellowes Adjustable Locking Footrest, and even the Amazon Basics Under Desk Footrest. Adjustability and durability are key. If you need guidance on the right model for you, reach out to The Ergo Lady at theergolady@gmail.com today.