Does your work entail sitting down for 30 to 40 hours a week? It’s time to take serious consideration of its potential health implications.
Prolonged sitting causes stress to our bodies, especially our spines. Lower back pain has been found by experts as the most common cause of work-related disability. This is the main reason why the need for ergonomic chairs has taken the spotlight in many workplaces.
Ergonomics Defined
The term ergonomics comes from the Greek word ‘ergon’ which means work, and ‘nomos’ meaning laws. Essentially, ergonomics is the science of work that optimizes the interaction between the worker and the work environment. When something embodies good ergonomic design, it enhances human well-being, and overall performance.
What Makes a Chair Ergonomic?
Ergonomic chairs have features that promote comfort, support proper posture, and health.
· Seat Height
Selecting a chair with an adjustable seat height is important because everyone has different physiologies. The optimal seat height allows you to place your feet flat on the floor, with thighs horizontal and arms even with the desk height.
· Seat Depth Adjustment
If your seat is too far forward, unnecessary pressure can be placed at the back of the knees. To prevent this, there should be a proper seat depth of 2-4 inches between the front edge of your seat and the back of your knee crease. Those with femurs or upper leg require more seat depth, while those with short femurs need less seat depth.
· Back Lumbar Support
Ample support to your lower back is an essential feature of a good ergonomic chair. The natural ‘S’ shape of the spine can be optimally supported when the backrest allows users to align the curve in the chair with their body’s spine. This can prevent slumping and to reduce tension on the pelvis and spine.
· Backrest
Seek greater tailored aligning with an adaptable backrest to specifically support your natural spine position. A reclining backrest can lessen strains on your spinal disks and muscles by taking some of the weight from your upper body.
· Seat Tilt
This feature allows the correct positioning of the pelvis when sitting, with 80-degrees angles at the hips, knees, and ankles to help prevent anterior pelvic tilt which is a posture problem common to those who sit a lot.
· Swivel
With this feature, you can turn around while seated to reach different points of your desk without straining.
· Armrests
Arms and shoulders are able to relax more with the help of armrests.
· Headrest
Headrests give significant support and ease to the back of the head, upper neck, and shoulders.
· Seat Material
There should be enough padding on the office chair for comfortable seating during long periods of time. The material should also be breathable so as not to cause the user’s back to sweat.
· Wheels
Navigate your workstation better by choosing the right type of wheels or casters. If the workplace is carpeted, opt for hard wheels; if it will be used on a hard surface, find a chair that has soft rubber wheels.
Proper Sitting Posture
You can only truly feel the full benefits of ergonomic chairs when you practice proper sitting. Make sure to sit up straight and avoid slouching. Your neck should also be in a neutral and relaxed position. Sitting with both feet flat on the floor allows correct blood flow, so avoid crossing your legs at all. Likewise, keep an arm’s length away from the computer screen. The top of the computer screen should ideally be at eye level, too.
High-Quality Ergonomic Chairs From TRBI
At Three Rivers Business Interiors, we make sure that ergonomic chairs are specifically attuned to your body’s unique requirements. Every chair we have has something different – levers, bells and whistles, adjustable arms, and impeccable lumbar support.
We don’t just recommend a product, we offer “sit tests” to select the chair that can best suit you, to make sure that it is always the right fit. Ergonomics delves into personalization, and we specialize in that.
Investing on the high-quality ergonomic chair is no longer an option but a need. Don’t let your dream job be a deadly desk job.
Visit the TRBI store, and select from various top-notch brands like Haworth. We work with the best so we can give you only the best!
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