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One huge problem with the new age of work and technology is the damage caused by repetitive task occupations often found in an office setting. More and more employees are spending the majority of their work day in the same office chair at the same office desk performing the same types of tasks over and over. Combine all this time sitting with the time one spends in their car, at the dinner table and on the couch and an individual could be spending the majority of their life sitting. Sitting has the potential to cause very poor postural habits. Without proper chair support, extreme amounts of pressure and stress can be placed on numerous parts of the body.
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Lack of Lumbar Support |
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The Lordotic Curve is the medical term for the lumbar region. This is the natural curve found in the lower back. Lack of support for the lumbar region results in over compensation by other back muscles in an effort keep the back in a proper sitting position. Improper support of the lumbar region can cause awkward forward leaning, hunching and pain from an unnatural position. Proper lumbar support helps to alleviate the tension and overexertion by the lower back muscles reducing pain and tightness.
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Lack of Mobility |
- Continuous sitting or lying in the same position can cause added stress to your back, neck and shoulders. It is very important to change positions often and if possible do some exercises to loosen your muscles and promote blood flow to your entire body. The longer the stretching and exercise lasts the better, but even a few seconds is better than not moving around at all.
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Inadequate Armrests |
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Armrests that are poorly designed or that have no adjustability are often something to avoid when looking for an ergonomic office chair. Armrests that do not adjust cannot adapt to different sized users and the different tasks that the chair will be used for. Poorly positioned armrests can cause awkward positions that result in pain and tension in the wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, shoulders and back.
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Chair Overuse |
- It is important to determine how long you will be sitting in your chair at a time to decide which type of chair is best for you. Make sure that the chairs you are looking at have an adequate rating for the amount of time that you'll be spending in the chair. If you will be seated for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time then it is recommended that you use a padded seat and avoid any mesh office chairs that do not have a padded or foam filled seat. Sitting in a mesh office chair without a padded seat for extended hours can put added pressure on the tailbone which will result in pain over time.
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How to Find an Ergonomic Office Chair
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An ergonomic office chair is the single most important piece of office furniture when trying to create the most favorable working environment. If your office chair is ergonomically correct, you should feel optimal comfort with no strain or pressure on muscles, joints, or ligaments. A properly designed chair with the correct adjustments will provide the support needed for the back, legs, arms and buttocks. This support can reduce fatigue and common stress caused by continuous contact found with repetitive task occupations. A chair that provides proper support will also help to promote blood flow. It is very important to fully utilize your ergonomic chair. An ergonomic chair does not help if it is not used properly. Below are some simple guidelines that be followed to ensure that you are maximizing the potential of your ergonomic desk chair. |
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Armrest Positioning |
- Proper armrest positioning can help to reduce stress in the neck, back and shoulders.
- Adjust the armrests to a point where your shoulders are in a relaxed position and your elbows are at an angle of 90°.
- If armrests cannot be adjusted, remove them or find an ergonomic chair while typing or working.
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- Make sure that the backrest is large enough to support the back. The chair back should be tall enough and wide enough to fully support the back without feeling any of the chair frame.
- Most ergonomic chairs provide backrest height and tilt adjustability.
- Put the chair back in the full upright position and tilt the backrest to the point at which is most comfortable for you while.
- If the office chair has adjustable back height, move the back height into a position providing the most lumbar support for your lower back region.
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- It is important to find a chair that has a natural curve supporting the lumbar region or the adjustability to provide lumbar support.
- Your bottom should be as far back in the seat as possible.
- You should be using as much of the chair back as possible which will provide the most lumbar support available to your lower back.
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- While sitting comfortably in the chair, rest your hands on your desk or work surface. Your elbows should be at a 90° angle. If not, raise or lower the seat height accordingly.
- The optimal seat height is the point at which your knees are at a 90° angle, with your feet flat on the ground and your thighs horizontal to the floor. If you are too short to keep your feet flat on the floor, then utilize an ergonomic foot stool.
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- The seat should be well padded with a strong, sturdy construction.
- The seat should be versatile enough to allow for multiple positions throughout the day.
- The seat should be specific to the size of the employee to provide proper positioning and support.
- Try to minimize the space between the back of your knees and the front of the seat. A sliding seat mechanism makes this adjustment very easy for any user.
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More Helpful Ergonomics Pages...
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Office Chair Buying Guide
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