Is an Ergonomic Chair the Answer to Your Back Pain? |
Posted: December 18, 2013 |
How many times have you been sitting at your desk at work twisting, stretching, and rubbing your back trying to get rid of the nagging pain that you have? Do you simply assume that the pain is due to your posture, how your workstation is set up, or not getting up enough during the day? These are all very valid reasons for having back pain and may very well be the cause, but have you thought about the fact that it may be your chair that is causing a lot of your problems? Back pain is an incredibly common occurrence for office workers and other adults. In 2000, a survey was published stating that 49% of adults in the UK had suffered lower back pain for at least 24 hours in the past year. That is an astounding number of people, and, if you are someone who has suffered from back pain, then you may be wondering what you can do to prevent or reduce the effects. How Your Office Chair May Be Contributing to Your Back Pain An unsuitable office chair can be a nightmare for people who suffer from regular back pain as it can exacerbate existing problems and cause new ones. It can provide little or no support to your back and can be a hindrance rather than a help. If the seat is uncomfortable, then you can be sitting in an awkward position and at the wrong angle. If your chair is too high, then you may be hunching over, and if it is too low, then you may be straining your muscles; all of this can lead to terrible back and muscle pain. How to Choose the Right Chair In order to identify the best office chair for you, you will need to look at a few things. You should be able to adjust the height of the seat. Once you have the right height, your feet should be able to comfortably touch the ground with your legs not overly bent or extended. It is also important to look at the width and length of the chair's seat. Is it wide and long enough to provide comfort? An important design aspect of a comfortable chair is the lumbar support, which shouldn’t try to bend you back, but rather hold its shape so it fits comfortably. This is one of the keys to trying to reduce any back pain that you may have, so it is very important that you make the right choice when choosing an office chair. You will be sitting in your chair for long periods of time, so it is also important that the chair is well padded and sturdy, possibly with armrests. Your Employer's Responsibility to You If you have been provided with your office equipment by your employer, then it is up to them to carry out regular workstation assessments to ensure that your work space is acceptable and that you are not suffering any back pain. If your employer is unaware of the benefits of ergonomic chairs for back pain, then they may not be aware that they can be extremely useful in helping to reduce pain and ultimately increase worker productivity. If you feel that you would benefit from an ergonomic chair, then speak to your employer today.
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