Reduce Back Pain with the Right Office Chairs

You can certainly worsen a back problem or cause lower back pain if you are sitting in an office chair for a prolonged period of time. Back pain is caused by sitting in a static position, which causes an increase in the stress placed on your back, shoulders, arms and legs, while adding pressure to back muscles and spinal discs.

Slouching down or over in the chair is a natural thing to do if you are sitting for a long time. Unfortunately, this causes over stretching of spinal ligaments and further strains the discs surrounding the spine. Over time, you could find that you develop permanent back problems or back pain that is not easily reversed. The solution to this problem is to ensure that you invest in ergonomic office chairs. These chairs are designed to provide the correct support and to contribute to a better, healthier daily posture.

With the right ergonomic office chairs, you can maximise back support and maintain a good posture, even when sitting for extended periods of time. Investing in an ergonomic office chair is not enough though. You will need to know how to set up the chair for optimal performance. Each ergonomic chair must be adjusted to support the proportions and body type of the individual who will be using the chair. This will ensure greater comfort and also make sure that you don’t aggravate your spine without knowing it.

Below are a few pointers on how to set up your ergonomic office chairs:

• Establish the height of the user’s desk or work station.  The height of the desk will usually depend on the height of the person and, of course, what work is being done.

• Adjust the chair according to your physical proportions. Pay attention to the following:

• Your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle when you are sitting at a comfortable distance from the workstation.

• There should be at least one fist measurement between the back of your calf and the front of your office chair. If you cannot do that, you will need to adjust the backrest until you can.

• Lower back support is achieved by the cushioning of the chair, which causes your back to arch slightly when sitting snugly against the back of the chair.

• Your eye level should cause you to naturally look into the centre of your computer screen. If the computer screen is higher or lower, you will need to adjust the work station or the chair.

• Having arm rests will reduce strain on your upper spine and shoulders. Have your arm rests positioned so that they just slightly raise your shoulders when your arms are resting on them.

No matter how comfortable or ergonomic your office chairs are, you should never sit still in one position for too long. This can cause muscle strain regardless of your efforts. Make sure that you regularly stand up, stretch and walk around. This will eliminate any potential lurking muscle aches and pains, and will also make your work day more comfortable in general. A quick walk around the office will promote blood flow and relieve any pressure to the spinal structure.

At Quantum Office Furniture, we offer a wide range of comfortable and well-designed office chairs for you to choose from. Each chair is designed for great back support and will also add aesthetic and professional appeal to your workspace. We encourage you to take the time to browse through our extensive range of office chair options. To learn more or to chat to a consultant, contact us via email or telephone today.