Chair ergonomics, especially within the workforce, is an important thing to keep in mind for the health of your back. With improper use, you may develop back pain. By utilizing the following principles of chair ergonomics, you can possibly prevent back pain and even develop better posture.
- Start by adjusting the chair to the proper height. The bend of your knee should be at about 90 degrees or slightly greater. In addition, your feet should be flat on the floor. If the chair does not go down low enough, some people do decide to buy their own footrests in order to further assist with their posture.
- Another important aspect is where you sit in the chair. It is recommended that the best location to place your bottom is at the very back of the seat. This will help you to position your back correctly right up against the chair. Ultimately, these things will help prevent you from slouching or leaning forward.
- After placing your back against the chair, most ergonomic chairs allow you to recline if needed or wanted. Help to relieve lower back tension can be achieved by slightly reclining backwards. While sitting straight up without a slight backwards recline is healthy for posture, it may prove to be uncomfortable after some time.
- The armrest height is the next aspect to consider. They should only be slightly lifted up if needed in order to slightly lift the shoulders. Your elbows should be bent at about a 90 degree angle. If the armrests are too high, it will cause strain on your shoulders and neck. In addition, if you use a computer keyboard, keep in mind that where it is positioned can also affect the angle of your elbows.
- Finally, do not think you need to stay in one position all day. In fact it is healthy to make slight adjustments every now and again, but just make sure you keep the overall principles previously mentioned in mind.
By following these suggestions, those who sit at desks for a prolonged period of time can help prevent developing back pain, but also can develop proper posture.
