avoid back pain by choosing the correct computer chair
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Top features to look for in a computer chair to avoid or minimise back painTRANSCRIPT
Avoid back pain by choosing the correct computer chair
How sitting in a chair for a long period with an incorrect posture contributes to or worsens back problems
Staying in a static posture adds stress to the back, shoulders, arms and legs.
The same static position also adds large pressure to the muscles of the back and discs of the spine.
The natural tendency for people sitting in an office chair for extended periods is to slouch over or slouch down. Over time, this can overstretch your ligaments and strain your discs and its surrounding spinal structures. It will damage structures in the spine and result to or aggravate back pain.
When these are adjusted properly taking into account the height, weight and measurements of key body areas of the person sitting there they can make a huge difference to whether a person sits there in comfort or has a stiff and painful back.
THESE ARE THE TOP SEVEN BACK-FRIENDLY FEATURES YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A COMPUTER CHAIR:
Seat height. There should a lever or knob within reach that will make it easy for you to adjust the chair height. The ideal height is achieved when you are able to place your feet flat on the floor. Your thighs should be horizontal to and arms even with the height of the desk.
Seat width and depth. The chair should be wide enough to accommodate your entire hip, and deep enough to support your weight comfortably even after it’s been sat for a long period.
The depth measured from front to back of the seat should be enough for the user to sit with your back against the backrest of the chair, while maintaining about 2 to 4 inches of space between the back of the knees and seat of the chair.
Seat material. The seat and back of the chair should have ample padding to make it comfortable for sitting even for extended periods. As for the seat cover, a breathable cloth fabric is preferable than a harder surface as this does not produce discomfort even after being sat in for a long time.
Lumbar support. This is a very important feature because the lumbar spine’s inward curve will lead to slouching or strain to the lower spine structures. A good computer chair should have a lumbar adjustment for both height and depth. This can be customised so the chair’s user can have the proper fit to support the inward curve of the lower back.
Backrest. If the backrest moves independently from the seat, the user must be able to adjust its height and angle. It must support the natural curve of a person’s spine, and especially support the lower back region.
For computer chairs with the seat and backrest placed together, a user must be able to adjust the backrest forwards or backwards depending on the inclination you favour. You should also be able to lock it once you have determined the correct angle.
Armrests. They should be adjustable to allow the user’s arms to rest comfortably and the shoulders to relax. An armrest takes the strain off your spine and shoulders and makes you less likely to slouch forward in the chair. However, some people may find they do not need this as it restricts their movement.
Swivel. Most computer chairs already have swivels that make it easy for the user to turn or rotate the chair so you can reach different areas of your workstation without straining too much.
