My practice is in an area heavy on computer users. They all work for top notch companies that have hired ergonomic experts to measure the angles and modify the employee's desk and chair to make sure they are in the best position possible. Still, all of the people that come into my office are still experiencing pain and discomfort in the head, neck, upper and lower back.
Why isn't the ergonomic chair enough? Why doesn't it "fix" everything that can go wrong? Do we need more expensive chairs?
I don't think this is the problem. You have to agree that the early computer workstations were not very ergonomically friendly, so it certainly helps to have improved that situation. I still see people that have problems because of either spinal misalignments or because they get so little physical activity that their spines are starting to show the wear and tear of their normal daily activities.
Just about every problem with the spine can be linked to some kind of trauma. Trauma from a car accident or a fall is easier to notice. A small, repetitive trauma that seems benign when done for a short period can really start to affect the person when done for forty or more hours per week and compounded by years of the same movements.
The muscles in the front of the body become short, creating a hunching over. The muscles in the back become longer and, because of this, they become weaker. After awhile, the best chair in the world is really only providing support for a spine that is not nearly as healthy as it could be.
In fact, it could be argued that since the chair is providing all the "support," the person may not feel the need to improve their own spine and create a better support for themselves. Over time, the spine is only getting weaker and more is being asked of the ergonomic equipment meant to prevent injury.
What's the solution? See a chiropractor, and make sure your spine is in alignment. Next, get some exercise and work specifically on targeting stretching of the muscles in front of your body and strengthening muscles in the back. Now your ergonomic setup will actually have something to support!
A Significant Part of Your Lifetime Spent in Comfort
The sad news is that most of these average workers do not spend a significant part of their lifetime in comfort-all because they don't bother to choose a comfortable chair. It's either their chairs are too small for them or oversized for their body frame. And many complain of chairs that sink as they put their weight on them, or that don't support their back properly. And there are those chairs that seem to have too many knobs for their own comfort. The levers are just too complicated to understand and for the users to even want to try.
Invest in an Ergonomic Chair
Nobody has to put up with the discomfort, especially not when it could cause you your health. It's time to invest in an ergonomic chair. That is, a chair that contributes to the employee's comfort, health and productivity. It's worth the investment, especially if you put it in a bigger picture. What's the context? A more successful business! Thanks to your satisfied and motivated workforce.
So what makes for a comfortable chair?
Performance
An effective chair performs. That is, it provides support exactly where you need it. Your chair should provide for an even distribution across your back. This way, you avoid pressure build-up on a single area. The result-superior comfort and safety.
Flexibility
An effective chair supports multiple users. An ideal chair should accommodate any type of body frame. Whether you are a fifth percentile female or a ninety-fifth percentile male, an effective chair should give you the support that you need. A flexible chair matches the growing diversity in office settings-man and woman, old and young, short and tall, small and large.
Convenience
An ideal chair has an arm rest with it. The arm rest should be adjustable so that it amply supports all types of body frames and work style. An effective chair is conducive to all kinds of tasking positions (without the need for fussy manual adjustments!). It delivers a balanced and smooth back support. An ideal chair responds to your sitting style and tasking positions-upright, forward and recline.
Practical Adjustments
It's important that your chair provides for adjustment. But it is also important that the adjustments are not too complicated that they become self-defeating. Adjustments that are too complex become useless since the employees would not mind using them at all.
Beyond Comfort
As you can see, investing in an ergonomic chair goes beyond your need for comfort. And it's an investment that is worth every penny you spend. You do want to stay productive and healthy, don't you?
Both Philip Cordova & Benicio Brown are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Philip Cordova has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alternative Medicine, Backpain and Health. Dr. Philip Cordova is a chiropractor in Houston, Texas. More information about this can be found on his website at. Philip Cordova's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.