Do Ergonomic Chairs Really Work?
As many of us work seated most of the day, having an ergonomic chair is not just a luxury, but it is necessary. If you are considering getting an ergonomic chair for your desk, you will undoubtedly find many different types of chairs, begging the question: do ergonomic chairs actually work? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is An Ergonomic Chair?
Since the word “ergonomic” gets thrown around a lot, let’s start by taking a look at what that means. An ergonomic chair is a chair that has been designed so that it improves your efficiency and your safety at work. Quality ergonomic chairs utilize biotechnology to ensure that they promote the best posture for work and the body.
In reality, this means there is not a one-size-fits-all ergonomic chair. The appearance and shape of ergonomic chairs varies greatly from one model to another.
Do They Help?
One thing that you have to remember about ergonomic chairs is that they are simply a piece of equipment. An ergonomic chair will help put your body in a proper and healthy position, but it, by itself, may not bring you all of the benefits that you want it to. A chair is only one factor in your workstation. The height of your desk, the placement of your screen and keyboard, and even the lighting in the room can all have an effect on your safety at work and your overall posture.
When used properly and with other accommodations, ergonomic chairs can help improve your posture and prevent discomfort that can come from sitting for long hours during the day.
Why Is Having an Ergonomic Chair So Important?
In the modern world, most of us sit the majority of the day. Not just at work, but we sit while eating, we sit while driving to work, and we even sit to unwind at the end of the day. Sitting might require less effort than standing or walking, but it will put tremendous strain on your lower back and cause other health problems. An ergonomic chair might not be the only solution, but it can help relieve the pressure off of your back, preventing chronic conditions.
Features Your Chair Needs To Have
When looking for an ergonomic chair, you need to be sure that you are getting the right chair. Bentall Physiotherapy put together some things that you should consider:
- Does the chair work with your desk or your workstation? Not all jobs can use the same type of ergonomic chair.
- Is the chair made for your height? While the general rule of thumb is that a proper seat height should be a quarter of your total height, people have different lengths of torsos and legs.
- Will the chair comfortably fit your body? How your body’s weight is distributed can also affect the type of chair that you get. An ergonomic chair should not be putting strain on one part of your body in effort of relieving another.
Ultimately, you might have to test out a few chairs to find your match, but don’t give up; the perfect chair is out there somewhere.
