So sorry about your back pain. I recently discovered just how awful it is to experience it. Take care of yourself.
My cutting table is 36" and I'm 5'9". My table is really the counter area of a 1949 oven. I lean into my "table" and trust me that giant oven's not going anywhere when I do it. Ask Walmart to hit up Sears for all their old ovens. Now that would be a sight. j/k
Love the notion of 3" below the elbow. I've gotta test that out!