If you’ve ever sat for long periods of time hunched over your keyboard or desk, you know the feeling well. You become familiar with the tingling sensation in your legs, the neck pain and the lower back twinges, not to mention the numbness and soreness of your derrière.
There is no need for you to continue sitting in discomfort when there are ergonomic chairs that help back strain, decrease body fatigue and increase blood flow.
Ergonomic chairs are the pathway to workplace comfort. Used correctly, they can reduce the everyday strain and stress that is placed on your body. The right chair will have adjustments in areas that correlate to your major stress points: lumbar, armrests, seat height and backrest.
Proper Adjustment Equals Personal Comfort With Ergonomic Chairs
Purchasing an ergonomic chair is just the first step. You must learn to adjust it to your body shape, size and proper sitting comfort level. When sitting, your feet should be flat on the floor and your arms level with the desktop. Adjust the seat height accordingly. This will help get proper blood flow to your legs.
Lumbar support is fundamental to back strain avoidance and your seating comfort. The lower spine has a natural inward curve and the lumbar support of the chair should accommodate this. If the lumbar support is not adjusted properly, you will tend to slouch and this will place strain on your spine. The lumbar support should stick out approximately two inches for optimum lower back support.
The armrests should be adjustable to allow your arms to rest comfortably, relieving shoulder and neck strain. Your arms should rest lightly on the armrests and not be used as support while using the computer.
The back rest of an ergonomic chair should be wide enough to support your body type and adjust to complement the natural shape of the spine. The backrest should adjust to the angle required for the optimal sitting position for spine health. Typically, you should be able to sit with your back against the chair as it conforms to your natural spinal curve.
These are quite simple adjustments to make and will be well worth the effort in the long run. When you have been at your workstation for hours, you shouldn’t have to walk out of your office slouched over in pain and head straight to the masseuse (although a massage is always welcome!)
The average person can spend up to 40 hours per week stationary at their desk. Why not make it more comfortable and healthy by using an ergonomic chair? Take the strain off your back and feel healthier with a more balanced range of motion while sitting. Make the proper adjustments and let the ergonomic chair work for you and ease your back strain, which will result in less overall fatigue.