Adapting to Work Environment Changes with AxSpA

There’s a huge shift happening right now in on the work scene, with employees demanding more in terms of benefits, pay, and work flexibility. One of the changes I’m seeing in my profession (Higher Ed) and my partner’s (Human Resources) is the option for more remote work, or work environment flexibility.

There are so many benefits that arise from a shift to more remote work, and a recent 60 Minutes story indicates that Americans are 2.5 times more likely to apply for a remote position.¹ I admit I have a glorified idea of remote work and thought that option would be extremely beneficial for my AxSpA. As I found out, that’s only partially true.

My shifting work environment

Prior to March of 2020, I drove to work Monday through Friday and spent 8 hours in an office environment. But once the pandemic hit my job moved remote. Everything changed so suddenly. Not only were we scrambling around to find a roll or two of toilet paper, but I was scrambling to create a make-shift office space for work.

Like many at the time, I naively didn’t expect to work from home long-term. Therefore, my desk situation consisted of an old Ikea chair and a portable laptop desk. But to make the Ikea chair work with my AS, I had to use couch pillows for support and used my heating pad nearly every day.

Weeks turned into months working remotely. Then, I changed employers and have worked a combination of in-person and remote work days ever since. My current employer, responding to the pressures of the Great Resignation, is now offering alternative work arrangements which allow employees to work a permanent schedule that combines in-person and remote work days.

Proper and supportive furniture

The nature of work environments has shifted dramatically in the past couple of years, with more and more people seeking remote or flexible positions. This shift has forced more of us to think about what an office should look like if we were to choose all of the furniture.

For me, choosing office furniture is tough. At first I thought that working from home would be great because I can just take my laptop and work on the recliner, on the couch, sitting up in bed, you name it. But in practice, that’s entirely realistic.

Instead, I found out the hard way that an office desk and chair are necessary. Generally I look for an office chair that meets these three requirements: comfy seat cushion, good lumbar support, sufficient height for neck/head rest. If means allow, don’t skimp on the office furniture.

I find that a good seat cushion can make the difference between agonizing hip pain and relatively minimal pain at the end of a work day. Good lumbar support can help keep me in the right posture throughout the day, which alternately with help me avoid other pain that I may experience from slouching over my desk.

Utilize the tools and comforts of home

One of the many upsides to working at home is that you can utilize the comforts of home to manage axial spondyloarthritis symptoms. While I did say that working from the couch or the bed isn’t realistic, the variety of work seating is convenient for those days or hours where sitting at a desk just won’t cut it.

In addition to a variety of seating options, I find working from home actually gets me up out of my desk chair more often. And we know that inactivity is the nemesis of us spondies!

While I am working at home, I’m sure to take advantage of all of the comforts of home as well. I use my heating pad wherever I sit, have easy access to pain creams and other tools, can easily take a fifteen minute break to stretch or do a bit of yoga, and can even use my lunch break to go lay down to help relieve some pain and fatigue.

Working from home certainly has some downsides (developing community is a bit different in remote positions), but I see many upsides to working from home with a chronic illness. Quality office furniture is a must in my opinion, and some employers out there are even willing to offer a stipend to spend on furniture.