It have back problems with nerve damage so I can't stand to do the dishes. I have a office chair with rollers that I use.

I think faucets vary by make and model in the distance from where they insert to where the water spews out, though I think distance from the user would definately make a difference. Some other things to consider are the height of the faucet so you dont have to bend over, the height of the cabinets, what the flooring is made of, what type of shoes you are or are not wearing while standing at the faucet, etc.

ETA - I also think that whatever considerations that need to be made are dependent on the part of your back that bothers you. Alterations for someone with neck pain might be different than for those who suffer from sciatica, or scoliosis.

I believe apron front sinks are better for people with back problems because they reduce the distance you lean in to do the dishes. If you decide an apron front sink is a good idea, Joseph Corlett, who used to post here, says they are easy to retrofit, though not everyone is aware of that.

Consider a foot pedal to turn the faucet on and off with just a tap of your foot. Professional kitchens often have them. Bonus points for being able to turn off the faucet while your hands are full or wash the chicken juice off your hands without spreading it to the faucet handles.

I think the apron front sink may be a great idea as mentioned by Rita. When I installed an apron front sink, I noticed it was the first time in my life I was able to wash dishes without getting soaked (I am vertically challenged), so I can imagine it would be much easier for those suffering back pain as well.

Know all about the bad back, have one myself - L4-L5 shot The depth of the sink ( in relation to your height ) will play a major roll in your comfort of use. Try this- get a tape measure and standing comfortably ( as possible) measure the distance from your extended hands ( as if washing dishes ) to the floor. That is where you want the bottom of your bowl to be. Post that number and I can tell you what sink depth should work. Most counter edges run about 3.5 to 3.75 inches. Guessing maybe a <shallower depth> farm sink might do the trick.

Apron front for sure...and a faucet mounted on the "short side" of the sink instead of the usual spot. Don't give a second though to "resale", few things are as bad as back pain.

As stated above, watch the depth of the sink. I am tall and deep sinks kill my back with bending over to reach the bottom.

Look up ADA ideas in case your back gets worse. You can also get cabinets that allow you to roll up to the sink; now is a great opportunity to install one. And, yes, you can get a sink with faucet on the short side so you can easily reach.

Apron front sinks are lower and have the smallest possible front rail. With a 1 1/4" overhang, a 2 3/8" in wide stone front rail is possible if the sink is strapped, not clipped, in place. Your stone fabricator may flip when you insist; just tell him to buy some Sink Hole Savers for delivery.

Hi Joseph, I love this sink! Would you please share brand info? Thanks

I do, it's horrible. It takes less than 5 minutes before the pain kicks in.

I have the same problem but with the bathroom sink. We've been in this house for 1 1/2 yrs now and my back and hips are suffering. My bathroom sink faucet is so far back I have to reach all the way over to use it. Sink is about 33" high. Apron is about 5" and reach to faucet is 16". I am about 5' 4" and shrinking. Any ideas? Thanks so much.

Kitchen sink I can handle when I remind myself to stand up straight. It's an extremely deep sink which I'd like to change out but the faucet swings around so that helps a little. The dishwasher is another story. Ouch!

Get a new faucet--maybe a bar faucet. Some of the online websites allow you to do a search by spout length (or reach maybe). Get the longest one you can find (after measuring the proposed length to make sure it's still enough over the sink of course).

Or get a new counter and sink. But faucet is the simplest place to start.

Been there done that! :)

Fori, I really appreciate that idea. It would be a MAJOR overhaul to remove that huge vanity. Top is heavy, heavy thick glass for miles with huge white vanity drawer area underneath. The drawers are so hard to pull out as they're vacuum style and shut by themselves but were not well-made or wouldn't be so hard to pull out.

I will be going faucet surfing though. What a great idea! Thank you, Fori.

Abby: Sorry for the late reply, but that's 36" Kohler.

I, too, am a sufferer. Propped against a heating pad as I type. This Waterstone 18” Towson faucet is my dream faucet to pair with a Kohler Whitehaven sink. I choked on the price when I did my last remodel. And i deeply regret it.

Why do you regret it?

Why do I regret not buying the Towson? Because my back hurts. And the price has now almost doubled.

Ah, I see. I thought you meant you bought it and regretted it. That's a lovely faucet, but I need a bathroom one. I will look thru their catalog. My husband was saying that he thought the faucet wouldn't fix the problem. Only a higher sink, no matter how far the faucet comes out.

Tall people like a higher sink (when it comes to bathroom vanities). Short people like a closer faucet! Remind your husband that a faucet is a cheap experiment--and a DIY one if so inclined.

I think I came to this site (one of its earlier incarnations) 50 years ago because of the faucet problem. Too much counter in front of the (kitchen) sink led to back pain. And I was young then! A crazy double-jointed faucet fixed it. It was a cool faucet. :) Ensuing kitchen remodels had us more careful with sink placement--the current kitchen sink cabinets even had the door hinges lowered because the sink would hit them due to its forward position. Spout length is still important, but there are more faucet options if you're starting from a good place.

Thank you, Fori. Again, this is a bathroom sink, so will be searching for an option for that. It really takes a toll on the back for sure. Good that you've made these changes over time as you've organically needed them.

If anyone has a suggestion for a bathroom faucet that would fill the bill and get close to me but not low!!!, but would be great. Tx