Doctor's note for a standing desk?

pippywillow

I'm transitioning into a new position at work that will have me sitting most of the day. I'm concerned about not being active. I'd like to get a standing workstation, but we have a policy at work where you need a doctor's note. I know my doctor would be willing to write a note for me, but I really don't have any diagnosis besides wanting to be healthy. I don't have back pain or anything. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Jthanmyfitnesspal

For me, the answer was yes. But, if the answer had been no, I would have bought this for myself on my own dime (Amazon perma-link):

http://a.co/4avQW3Y

I love being able to stand when I have all-day desk sessions.

quiksylver296

My workplace provides them without a doctor's note.

How about because you want to combat shoulder fatigue, or hip flexor tightness, or some other reason?

HoneyBadger302

My work provides them upon asking (or in the newer spaces they just put them in regardless).

As for a doctor's note, like above, I'm sure you could find some excuse to put on there from lower back pain sitting all day to tight muscles.

cwolfman13

pippywillow wrote: »

I'm transitioning into a new position at work that will have me sitting most of the day. I'm concerned about not being active. I'd like to get a standing workstation, but we have a policy at work where you need a doctor's note. I know my doctor would be willing to write a note for me, but I really don't have any diagnosis besides wanting to be healthy. I don't have back pain or anything. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Something like this at my office is considered "reasonable accommodation" for an existing issue, but you have to provide documentation of said issue for my employer to provide that reasonable accommodation...ie doctor's note, etc.

We recently had a couple of people here get them as they had proper documentation...as soon as they got them, everyone and their brother wanted one and it would have cost us tens of thousands of dollars that we don't have lying around...once it was explained that they needed to fill out the reasonable accommodation form and return it with a doctor's or specialists signature, it all went away.

I would imagine that this is one of the reasons your company is asking for a doctor's note.

Packerjohn

I work for a large corporation. Some managers will get them for anyone that asks. Others need doctor note.

kshama2001

I'm sure your doctor can come up with a reason.

Over the years, my doctors have been very helpful getting me reasonable accommodations for this and that.

kbmnurse1

Buy your own and bring it in. I bought mine on Amazon for about $250.00 & the Fatigue Mat. You won't need a MD note for that.

Elphaba1313

Your doctor shouldn't have to give a reason. Like a sick note, he doesn't say what is wrong with you for privacy reasons. So with this, just that for health reasons you need a sit stand desk, not way. My doctor thinks everyone should have one for health reasons, so was easy to get the note.

Dani9585

I would just say that I want to remain proactive with my health because I sit for 8 hours a day. My doctor would write me a note with that.

L1zardQueen

I just got an ad for this on MFP! Sounds kind of cool

https://ponoola.com/product/pono-board/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2u3Zjcbe2wIVSj1PCh3zqwjBEAEYASAAEgK_hPD_BwE

Danp

I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.

The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.

Noreenmarie1234

Danp wrote: »

I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.

The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.

I would probably get one of these instead!

pippywillow

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

Danp wrote: »

I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.

The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.

I would probably get one of these instead!

I thought about getting something like that, or maybe a ball chair, to strengthen my core, but do I really want to commit on sitting on one of those all day? Has anyone tried one of those?

I would definitely like the option to stand. And I do think I'd get more steps in if I took a couple steps to the printer every time instead of just pushed my chair back a couple feet, maybe that's not enough to make a difference, I don't know. It seems like I'd be more active.

pippywillow

L1zardQueen wrote: »

I just got an ad for this on MFP! Sounds kind of cool

https://ponoola.com/product/pono-board/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2u3Zjcbe2wIVSj1PCh3zqwjBEAEYASAAEgK_hPD_BwE

Ooh that does look cool! But expensive, I wish I could try it out.

Ed_Zilla

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

For me, the answer was yes. But, if the answer had been no, I would have bought this for myself on my own dime (Amazon perma-link):

http://a.co/4avQW3Y

I love being able to stand when I have all-day desk sessions.

^^^THIS^^^

As a business owner I get employee requests for all kinds of things all the time. If it is important to you, and not the norm for the office, I would suggest that you talk to the boss, them them your health goals, explain your concerns about being sedentary, and if it would not be too disruptive to the office...offer to contribute towards the cost above the cost of your "normal" desk. That would get my attention and let me know you are serious...and I would probably cover the cost then.

You may also want to look into your health insurance as well. Many, including ours, offers cash back to employees if they use the gym...enough to cover most or all of the cost of the gym membership (depending on the gym).

jjpptt2

Just buy your own.

Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.

Hamsibian

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Just buy your own.

Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.

I work at the register in a store. Luckily I get a chair for my health, but I stand all day if it's busy. My coworkers also stand (and they don't have chairs). Our lower backs and feet hurt by the end of the shift.

Lounmoun

Maybe you could buy something like this standing deak convertor for yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/Standing-Desk-Converter-Adjustable-Workstation/dp/B077X8T1ZD/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1529415035&sr=8-5&keywords=standing+desks&dpID=51mOg13XY6L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

You could make a concious effort to get up from your chair and walk to the printer, walk more on your breaks, exercise more before or after work.

buffinlovin

I work in a call center and am pretty much tied to my desk with a phone cord. My sit/stand desk has been a lifesaver, and I frequently get an additional 5000+ steps in my day from walking and moving in place. I spend about half my day in my chair and the other half standing and moving.

My office has two options for the sit/stand desk: A medical note will get you a motorized sit/stand which can be pricey, or they offered a Varidesk (liftable desk like other have linked) without a note. I have the Varidesk which works great! The only downside is you have to lift it up manually, but I don't have back problems so it's not really an issue for me.

One recommendation would be a really good anti-fatigue mat! I have a thick, flat mat, but if you have the extra funds I'd go with something like this....the extra ridges/rounds can help stretch your feet if you stand for long periods of time.

kshama2001

pippywillow wrote: »

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

Danp wrote: »

I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.

The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.

I would probably get one of these instead!

I thought about getting something like that, or maybe a ball chair, to strengthen my core, but do I really want to commit on sitting on one of those all day? Has anyone tried one of those?

I would definitely like the option to stand. And I do think I'd get more steps in if I took a couple steps to the printer every time instead of just pushed my chair back a couple feet, maybe that's not enough to make a difference, I don't know. It seems like I'd be more active.

We all had balls for a while. They were fun, but not really comfortable. I would bounce for a few minutes, then go back to my regular chair. Staff meetings were...odd...when everyone was bouncing out of sync.

Then, the novelty wore off, and when balls deflated, they were not reinflated or fixed, and gradually moved out into a grave in the warehouse.