Employees are now encouraged to use laptops at undesignated desk sites in the office or at home, called ‘hot desks’. It is also known as ‘Hot Desking’.
Unfortunately, laptops are poorly designed for use as the main work interface; if the laptop keyboard is in a good position to type, then the screen is far too low to view it properly. If you sit with your head bent forward looking down at a screen it will, in time, cause chronic neck pain and headaches: ‘Hot Desk Syndrome’
When treating Hot Desk Syndrome, I always advise my patients to request the following:
- A laptop stand, to raise the screen to a comfortable viewing height.
- A Trackball mouse
- A keyboard
- A footrest.
If you have to work at a ‘hot desk’ or if you have to travel to different offices, you could provide your own laptop stand, keyboard and mouse. They need not be too expensive to buy, or heavy to carry around and they will definitely help the health of your neck and shoulders.
If you want more information about Hot Desk Syndrome, or if you have pain and need treatment, please telephone the practice on 01926 335932.
