I enjoy sharing products with my readers that’ve improved my computer posture, not to mention my quality of life. I’m not compensated by any companies who make the products I’ll mention in this article. I paid my own money for all of them.
This article will talk about my favorite computer posture correction devices. 3 of them are beneficial in creating a healthy workstation setup. The other 2 are great recovery devices to use away from your working environment. But they are still directly related to improving your computer posture.
This article is not professional medical advice. It’s based off my personal experience and opinions. For years, my poor computer posture caused muscle tension, inflammation, and chronic pain. Bad posture also decreased my mental clarity, energy level, and work productivity.
All the desk worker health tips I write about are directly related to improving posture at a computer. We are our own primary caretakers. Do your research. Make good decisions. And be the best advocate possible for your own healthcare.
Best Computer Posture Correction Devices
The first 3 posture-friendly office equipment on this list are crucial tools in my ergonomic process. I want my workstation to be an asset that promotes good computer posture as soon as I sit down. I don’t want to have to move my body to get it in good posture. I want it to naturally fall into place as soon as I’m in a sitting posture.
1. Height Adjustable Desk
Sitting at a computer desk with poor posture can cause chronic, computer-related pain. But what makes it worse? Working in the same exact position for long periods of time.
That’s why I must have a height adjustable desk in my ergonomic home office. I switch through different positions multiple times a day. I’ll sit in a desk chair for a short while. Then I’ll work in a standing posture. Next, I may even sit on a stool to change it up. These 3 positions make a height adjustable desk a necessity. I like being able to go from sit to stand in just a few seconds.
2. External Monitor
Working 8 hours a day from a laptop monitor screen was one of the most painful computer posture mistakes I used to make. First of all, I had to tilt my head downward to see my screen. Holding my head in this poor posture for long periods of time caused the muscles on the front of my neck to shorten. At the same time, it caused the muscles on the back of my neck to lengthen.
This muscle confusion and dysfunction caused chronic pain and tension. And it wasn’t just limited to my neck. Everything in our bodies is connected. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc. Muscle tension and dysfunction in one body part can easily cause a secondary problem in another body part. In this case, my neck tension led to shoulder pain, back pain, spinal disc degeneration, and headaches.
The second problem with using a laptop screen 8 hours a day: laptop screens are very small. This is a common cause of computer-related eye strain.
Finally, my work productivity suffered when working on a small laptop screen. It doesn’t allow the ability to have multiple windows open while I’m working. Constantly having to switch back and forth from one window to another costs time, energy, and money.
3. Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse
I used to have a tall, bulky keyboard and mouse. In order to lift my hands onto these high devices, I had to extend my wrists. Holding my wrists in this extended position for 8 hours a day caused carpal tunnel syndrome.
At that point, I’d always thought carpal tunnel pain was caused by typing too much. But in my case, it was caused by repetitive strain and overuse of the wrists.
I actually found out how to fix my wrist pain by accident. Years ago, when I still had wrist pain, I was using a tall, bulky keyboard and mouse. But then I had to work remotely on a public Apple computer for a few days. This computer had a flat, low-profile keyboard and mouse (like the ones in the picture below). Working on these ergonomic devices allowed me to relax my wrists for 8 hours a day, while still typing. My wrist pain decreased rapidly just in those few days. I’ve since switched to this type of flat keyboard and mouse full-time. My wrist pain is completely gone.
The last 2 ergonomic posture devices on this list are used away from the office desk. But I still consider them an important part of my computer ergonomics process.
Anything that improves posture correction for computer users, regardless of where the practice takes place, falls under the category of computer ergonomics (in my opinion). And these are 2 of my favorite posture improvement gadgets.
4. Iron Neck
I talked earlier in this article about how using a laptop screen (8 hours a day) caused chronic neck pain and tension. I tried everything to fix it. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, the list goes on.
The only thing that helped heal my neck pain (besides switching to a large, tall external monitor) was using an Iron Neck. It’s a posture correction device that improves neck strength, mobility, and range of motion.
It fits around the head like a hat would. It’s shaped like a halo. There is a track that goes all the way around it 360 degrees. There is a small device that slides around that track. This device is also connected to the Iron Neck. It has a strap that connects under the chin.
The Iron Neck comes with a resistance band that hooks to the piece that slides around on the track. The other end of the resistance band can hook to a door or a pole. It comes with specific instructions on how to do exercises with it.
The Iron Neck is one of the best posture correctors for working at a desk that I’ve found. And that’s saying something. I’ve always been looking for ways to correct my computer posture since 2011.
To learn more about the Iron Neck, check out my article titled Iron Neck Review (not paid promo).
5. Hypervolt Massage Gun
Another of my favorite devices to improve sitting posture is the Hypervolt Massage Gun. There are multiple reasons it’s beneficial for office workers. I use the gun to reduce muscle soreness, reduce muscle tension, improve range of motion, increase blood flow, and speed up muscle recovery. I usually keep it on the lowest intensity, which isn’t painful. It’s an enjoyable experience. It’s like being able to have a massage anytime and anywhere I want.
I’m a big fan of percussion therapy. I also go to various hands-on healers. But I practice percussion therapy as a self-massage technique that treats the soft tissue, while still having healing benefits in the deeper muscle layers. Percussion therapy is my favorite way to increase blood flow and speed up recovery.
To learn more about it, check out the article I wrote titled Hypervolt Massage Gun Benefits (not paid promo).
THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN COMPUTER POSTURE.
If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You’re taking valuable steps to reduce computer-related injuries by improving your posture. That’s something to be very proud of!
If you liked this article on the best computer posture correction devices, check out my book titled 45 Ways to Improve Computer Posture.
This book is a great supplement to the article you just read. It covers healthy ergonomic habits like posture, sleep, hydration, and breathing.
I wrote this book to be the resource I wish I had back in 2002, when I first started sitting at a computer for long periods of time.
Go to SittingPosture.com/book to learn more.
Take care,
Todd Bowen