Using an ergonomic chair will reduce back pain.
Ergonomic chairs are designed to provide the maximum amount of comfort for the user. The objective is to "fit the workplace to the worker, not the worker to the workplace," according to the Ergonomic Chairs website. Sitting, especially for long periods of time, places a great deal of stress on the body when it transfers the full weight of the upper body to the buttocks and thighs. Pressure is also increased on the intervertebral discs. The term ergonomics is derived from two Greek words: "ergos," which means work, and "nomos," which means natural law.
Back and Neck
A primary benefit of an ergonomic chair is its ability to improve the sitting posture. It provides support to the back and neck and reduces excess pressure on the spinal discs. The backrest provides lumbar support, which is often adjustable in many ergonomic chairs. A proper lumbar support will be curved small enough to fit into the small of the back and clear the pelvis and back of the rib cage. The recline, or tilt adjustment, in the ergonomic chair changes the seat relative to the floor, which helps transfer some of the upper body weight to the backrest. Additionally, an adjustable ergonomic chair affords spinal alignment, according to the Division of Occupational Health and Safety website.
Wrists and Elbow Regions
Using desktops and notebook computers, especially for long periods of time, exerts stress on the wrists and elbows and can result in pain. Ergonomic chairs that have armrests with adjustable height and width and at least 2 inches of soft padding will provide adequate and individual support.
The Thighs
To reduce pressure on the thighs, an ergonomic chair with tilt adjustment will allow for a forward-working posture. This provides a sufficient gap between the back of the knees and the front edge of the chair which, in turn, reduces pressure felt at the back of the thighs.
Other Benefits
An ergonomic chair provides a number of advantages over a traditional chair by allowing the user to change positions all day. Sitting in a traditional chair creates a static posture, which creates stress in the back, wrists, elbows and thighs. The switch to an ergonomic chair will eliminate these problems while reducing fatigue and the risk of injury, increasing blood flow and helping to increase productivity.
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