Although there is a lot of talk about the harm of spending many hours sitting, always working standing up also causes a lot of health problems, especially for the feet.
For years we have heard that “sitting is the new smoking“. It’s a catchy phrase that seems to sum up a very real problem, but it’s also a huge oversimplification. If sitting down was always the worst option, just getting up would solve the problem, which isn’t true.
For millions of people, working standing up is not a healthy alternativebut rather a daily requirement. Health and industrial professionals, teachers, salespeople, waiters and hairdressers spend countless hours on their feet — and this also harms their health.
As musculoskeletal disorders — affecting the back, neck, shoulders, legs and feet — are the most common occupational health problem in Europe. In Spain, for example, 29% of work accidents resulting in sick leave in 2024 were caused by excessive physical exertionwhile musculoskeletal disorders represented 78% of work-related illnesses.
The body was not made to be still
So: is it better to work standing or sitting? Well, maybe this isn’t the right question. In fact, the most important thing is the time we spend in each position and how often we move throughout the day.
The human body does not react well to prolonged static postures. While sitting for long periods tends to cause problems with the lower back, neck and shoulders, standing is more associated with fatigue, lower back pain and excessive pressure on the legs and feet.
Standing and sitting may not cause the same pain, but, without a doubt, neither is harmless if maintained for a long time.
Don’t forget your feet
When we think about work-related pain, we almost always think about the back. But the body’s work begins much lower.
O foot is the mechanical basis on which everything rests: it comes into contact with the ground, distributes pressure and transmits forces to the ankle, knee, hip and spine. If this foundation works non-stop for hours on end, the rest of the body can suffer as well.
In fact, in a recent study of assembly line workers, a full day of standing was associated with measurable changes in posture and pressure distribution across the soles of the feetas well as frequent discomfort in the lower back, knees and feet.
In other words, not all feet respond in the same way to the same demands of the work environment, and this biomechanical difference can contribute to the appearance of discomfort.
So what is the best option?
As the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) highlights, it is generally healthier vary your postureincorporate movement and reduce time spent in static positions.
This sometimes leads us to look for innovative solutions such as height-adjustable desks, specially designed chairs and insoles, or devices such as posture correctors, ergonomic pillows and off-the-shelf lumbar supports. Some of these tools can help, but none of them alone can make up for a poorly planned workday.
The preventative measures that actually work are not that exciting. These measures include regular short breakstask rotation, adjustments to the workstation, appropriate footwear, physical exercise and a schedule that allows movement.
Ultimately, there is no need to demonize the chair or idealize standing work. We need to understand that the body is designed to change, adapt and move. When work forces us to remain in the same position for a long time, that’s when problems begin.
