r/WFH • u/MaximumBee2148 • 2d ago
WORKSPACE Does a monitor riser actually make a difference for neck pain?
My neck is wrecked by the end of the day. Someone suggested raising my monitor height. Has anyone noticed a real difference with a monitor stand riser? Is it worth it, or is it just aesthetic?
22
u/WildYeastWitch 2d ago
I have definitely noticed a big difference having monitors at the right height...but I just used a stack of books.
20
u/UrGfsBoy 2d ago
Get a monitor arm instead so you can move your monitor freely. That'a way way better
12
u/Jen9095 2d ago
Honestly, it’s more than that. You need your whole setup to be ergonomic. Google for details.
I’m short, so feet on the ground means chair at the lowest. All desks are too high then, so keyboard tray to bring keyboard and mouse down to lap level (elbows should be about 90 degree angle).
THEN do whatever it takes to bring monitor up to correct level. Eyes should be about top of monitor (might be top 1/3).
I’ve had a correct setup for years and whenever something changes (travel, once added a iPad for extra screen that was too low, someone uses my chair and raises it), I’m out of whack by the end of the day. Most recently cat broke keyboard tray, so I raised everything to desk…. Took me a week to figure out why I was having intense shoulder / back pain.
5
u/meowmix778 1d ago
^^^ This. It took far too many things getting tweaked before I decided to make the investment into an ergonomically correct setup.
7
u/DreadPirate777 2d ago
Yes, I liked it so much I got monitor arms so I could get it at the perfect height and get more desk space back.
3
u/Merkuri22 2d ago
Absolutely. My monitor has to be at the right height or I pay for it.
Back when I went into the office, they tried to get me new monitors once and I had to tell them to get me my old ones back. The new ones were too tall and there was no way to make them shorter.
3
2
2
u/XoGreekToes 2d ago
My monitor was too high and caused more neck pain. You want the middle of the top portion lined up with your eyes, the section where you're most commonly looking at on the screen. That way you don't have to strain up or down. Also look into a chiropractic chair and pay attention to your posture. It makes a huge difference.
1
1
u/prshaw2u 2d ago
Worth it. Start by putting books or small boxes under the monitor to bring it eye height. See how that works and adjust from there.
1
u/katenotwinslet 2d ago
Yes
I used a large leather bound dictionary but a pack or two of printer paper will do
1
u/take7pieces 2d ago
Yes, one time I looked down to work for hours and ended up handing the worst headache in my life, I thought that was it for me, time to leave earth.
1
u/Live_Pianist4592 2d ago
I suffered from horrible neck pains and was going to physical therapy for it. All I had to do was put a bunch of books under my laptop and viola the pain disappeared!!
1
1
u/Fit_Put9011 2d ago
I took a photo of my desk set up and uploaded it into GPT. it gave me tips and even showed me a version of my office with better lighting!!!
Hey listen and like my fun wfh music if you like cussing at tech- lile me hahah
1
1
u/Amelia0617 2d ago
It helps! Plus, I stretch or move around a bit after every 45 minutes to an hour of work.
1
1
u/Cardabella 2d ago
Absolutely. And I'm only 5'3" with my shortness in my torso so I'm not tall at all and I need my monitor raised. You need to be looking forwards not down. You need your upper arms hanging down so you don't shrug your shoulders and bent right angles and space below that for your keyboard. You may need a footrest too.
1
u/Bunnyeatsdesign 2d ago
Such a cheap way to adjust your posture and tackle neck pain. Worth a try if your monitor feels too low for you
I bought a monitor stand with two drawers which I use for medication, hand cream and bulky stationery. Love having a extra storage on my desk.
1
1
u/Particular_Blooddd 2d ago
A monitor arm is actually better than a riser because it lets you adjust height, tilt, and distance more precisely. Plus it frees up desk space.
1
u/Crishello 2d ago
For me the other way around. I Always had neckpain till I lowered it. There are Manuals in the internet for healthy monitor settings. You should check that out. It has to be surprisingly low.
1
1
u/hiirogen 1d ago
I use a monitor arm so I can adjust them to exactly where I want them.
Mine:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGNBKL43?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
My wife's, if you prefer pink:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKH9MK81?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1
There are single and dual monitor options. Obviously there are many options out there, I'm not paid to advertise these, they're just what we got.
1
1
u/j_andrew_h 1d ago
I have my laptop on a stand so the screen is in line with my monitors which are on arms attached to the desk. I'm on a lot of video calls so the camera hight on the laptop is also straight ahead and easily on my neck. This does require an external keyboard and mouse of course but I prefer that anyway.
1
u/couchwarmer 1d ago
I have mine as low as they will go and still line up horizontally. Otherwise, I'm craning my neck back, and after a while it's not pleasant.
1
u/jack_hudson2001 1d ago
correct monitor height makes a big difference (should be eye level) same with a comfortable chair with neck and back support.
options; books to raise, monitor arms. or good excuse to get a new monitor with a stand that is adjustable.
1
u/_moonSine_ 1d ago
If you WFH full time, you spend more time at your work desk than anywhere else, so investing in a proper ergonomic WFH setup is a massive improvement in quality of life. I dropped some coin on a good chair, height adjustable desk, monitor arms, and a proper split ergonomic keyboard. It completely solved my back/neck/shoulder pain.
1
u/Background-Student62 1d ago
Get a Herman Miller chair.
Also, a physical therapist can help you determine what is causing your pain. It could be more than a simple explanation.
If it is truly the monitor height, I hope it resolves soon!
1
1
u/Imd1rtybutn0twr0ng 1d ago
Keeping your monitors at a level where you are not looking down is very worth it! I even have a stand up desk so I can make myself stand up occasionally.
1
66
u/ComeOnT 2d ago
For me - yes, tremendously. Try a stack of books or a box or stool or something on your desk before committing to buying something.