Everyone knows that in the office, the chair is the most important piece of office equipment. Because of the popularity and importance of computers, it is used more than any other furniture in the office. It has been estimated that 45 million workers in America spend a great deal of time each day sitting in an office chair, working on their computers and keyboards. Nearly 30 million workers spend up to eight hours or more using their keyboards, mice, computers and office chairs.
Because of all of these hours in an office chair, people are starting to experience health problems in greater intensity. Repetitive Stress Injuries, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, back problems, and neck pain are all related to untold hours at the computer desk. This is the reason that the ergonomic chair has become so popular in recent years. People desperately need more support while they work at their computers in order to avoid the many potential health problems.
Office chairs were all made basically the same for many years. In other words, there has not been much consideration of the fact that every person is built differently and has different physical needs and limitations. No person is built like anyone else and therefore, expecting one chair to satisfy the needs and comfort for hundreds or thousands of people is just not practical.
The answer to this dilemma, of course are ergonomic products which will allow a person to make changes in his or her chair so that they are not only more comfortable, but so that the body will receive the support it needs to do the work required. A product that is ergonomically correct for one person may not fit someone else's body at all.
Actually trying on an ergonomic chair is the best way to select one. Because of the various sizes and shapes of people, manufacturers make many different types of ergonomic chairs to meet the needs of their customers. Ergonomic chairs are adjustable chairs and each chair will be different, based on the make and manufacturer.
The backrest or lumbar support section of the chair should be adjustable by height. There should also be a space between the backrest and seat pan for the buttocks. Seat cushions should not be too thick, but should be made of quality, durable fabric. The height of the seat should be adjustable so that the person’s legs can always reach the floor. This is usually the first adjustment that should be made to find the user’s best positions in the chair. There should be at least five bases on the chair and it should swivel a full 360 degrees. If the chair has armrests, they should be padded and also be adjustable in height and width. Some chairs have armrests that are removable so the worker can take them off if necessary.
It needs to be mentioned that no matter what type of chair you decide to get, you have to use it correctly in order to get the full benefit. If someone practices poor posture by sitting in a slouched position with the head tilted to one side, and the legs crossed, he or she is only going to cause muscle tension and spinal problems. In other words, computer ergonomics are only as good as the person allows them to be. Following basic ergonomic principles is easy when you realize that you are becoming unproductive and unhealthy by sitting in those positions.
If you still have problems after investing in an ergonomic chair, then you need to figure out why. For example, perhaps you have a physical condition that needs the care of a specialist. An ergonomic chair can help with muscle strain and tension, but it's not going to help your physical problem go away. Another problem is if you choose a chair that doesn’t have the features you need. An example would be if you already have a sore back, then you will need a chair with maximum back support. You will then continue to have the same problems if you fail to purchase a chair with the right features.
It takes time to get your chair adjusted correctly. However, it will be well worth the time and effort in the long run. Your hips need to be slightly higher than your knees when you sit down. Don’t be afraid to play around with the adjustments until you find a position that feels great. However, if you find that you are starting to feel uncomfortable, don’t wait to make the necessary changes or you will be putting a lot of strain on your muscles that could result in damage.
An ergonomic chair will not take care of all of your health problems, but it will give you the support you need to help prevent problems from occurring in the first place. With a proper chair and adjustments, you will find almost instant relief. It’s hard enough to sit all day and work, so take the time to get a chair that will make your life and work a little easier.
