Switch things up this holiday season by gifting wellness. If you are shopping for someone who works at a desk (or you are that person), the holidays are a perfect time to upgrade the setup that is quietly driving neck, shoulder, and back discomfort.
Whether working from home or at your company’s NYC office, the goal is not to force yourself into perfect posture all day, it should be to reduce the amount of strain, support your body’s alignment, and take a few breaks throughout the day.
Below, our team has gathered a few of our recommendations for ergonomic gifts that are easy to use and actually make a difference for desk workers.
1) A supportive seat cushion or lumbar support pillow
A desk chair that looks sleek or straight out of a sports car is not always a chair that supports your spine. Slumped sitting tends to reduce the natural lumbar curve and can make the low back feel more uncomfortable.
Gift ideas: it doesn’t doesn’t say what
Lumbar support pillow to encourage a neutral spine while sitting
Seat cushion to reduce pressure on hips/tailbone and improve sitting comfort
Why it helps: Better support reduces flattening of the natural lumbar curve, which can contribute to low back tightness and upper back strain over a long day.
2) A laptop stand or monitor riser to reduce “Tech Neck”
Tech Neck is strain and tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back caused by screen time. One of the fastest ways to stress the neck is working on a laptop that sits low on a desk. Eyes drift down, head follows, shoulders round forward.
Gift ideas:
Laptop stand that raises the screen closer to eye level
Monitor riser for anyone using an external monitor
Why it helps: Neck pain is extremely common in office workers, reported annual prevalence ranges from 42% to 63%, so small workstation adjustments can be a practical way to reduce everyday strain risk during long hours at a screen.
3) An ergonomic keyboard and mouse combo
Wrist and forearm tension often comes from reaching too far forward or keeping wrists bent all day. Small upgrades here can be extremely impactful.
Gift ideas:
Compact keyboard to reduce shoulder reach
Ergonomic mouse to support a more natural wrist position
Wrist rest for breaks in between long typing sessions
Why it helps: Keeping your keyboard and mouse close helps you stay relaxed and avoid extra reach. While typing, aim to keep your wrists neutral (in line with the backs of your hands) rather than planted on a rest; save a wrist/forearm pad and chair armrests for the moments you’re not typing.
4) An adjustable footrest
If someone’s feet don’t comfortably reach the floor, their posture tends to unravel: they perch on the chair edge, tuck a foot under, or slide forward. Over time, that can contribute to hip tightness and low back pain.
Gift ideas:
Adjustable footrest that keeps knees and hips more comfortable
Quick check: Ideally, feet are supported, hips are slightly above knees, and the back can rest against the chair.
A quick safety note
If someone has sharp pain, numbness, /tingling, pain that shoots down an arm or leg, or symptoms that are getting worse, get checked by a medical professional. The right care plan starts with knowing what’s actually driving the pain.
Need help with desk related pain in NYC?
If neck or back discomfort is affecting your workday, we can help. Prestige Health & Wellness offers chiropractic care, PT, acupuncture, OT, and whole body support designed for busy NYC professionals. You can find us in FiDi, NoMad, Hudson Yards, and Chelsea with same day appointments available.
Sending you all warm holiday wishes from our entire team at Prestige Health and Wellness!
