Why the Office Chair Is Of Importance

Working in an office might seem like the ideal job, sat at a desk and protected from the cold however it can have adverse effects on your overall health. It is the back that is most likely to suffer from sitting down too long as strain and pressure is inflicted on the spine.

The back has a natural concave curve that can be felt when standing up, and it is this curve that you want to maintain. Slouching at your desk or hunching forward pushes the back out of this position causing the disks to be starved of nutrients. If doing this on a daily basis at your desk you are in serious danger of back problems in the future. Even if you have an active lifestyle outside of work the period of time you have been sitting at work is too much to counteract the effects. This is why it is recommended that you get up from your desk and stand or move around every 30-40 minutes to allow the back to move freely. Sitting properly is also important to reduce any strain on the back and this is where your office chair can assist.

To sit properly at your desk you should have a chair that is able to support you properly. Your office chair should have good lumber support, arm rests, be able to be tilted and be height adjustable. The main purpose of your chair is to support your lower back in order to maintain its natural curve.  In order to achieve this the chair should be adjustable in order to meet the needs of your body and should have superb lumber support in order to support the back. When sitting on your chair your knees should be slightly lower than the hip, a footrest may be needed to achieve this.

In order to be comfortable and supported the height of your chair will need adjusting so that you can use your keyboard with straight arms and wrists level with the floor. When in this position the elbows should be by the side of your body to form an L shape. By placing your arms like this it should help to prevent any repetitive strain injuries. Your feet should always be flat on the floor when sat at your desk so if you find that they are not a footrest should be used.

Now your chair may help to support the way you sit however it cannot do this on its own. Just because it has the correct level of support it doesn’t mean you can sit in it how you please. Stick to the postures above and you will find that you are far more comfortable whilst sat down at work.  Other things to consider when sitting at your desk include…

• Placing your computer screen at eye level and at least an arm’s length away. If your screens are too low after your chair has been set up you may need to use monitor raises.
• Place your keyboard four to six inches in front of you
• Keep your mouse as close to you as possible
• Avoid screen reflections to prevent you from straining to see it
• Use glasses if necessary