WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF CHAIR?

If your sitting for more than 4 hours a day at work, the chair you have will either help you avoid back pain, or cause it.  So it’s vital we get you set up with a chair that’s going to keep you happy, healthy, and pain free. We will go over chairs to avoid first, followed by the chairs we recommend.

Chairs To Avoid

  • Chairs that have no back support-Having no back support is difficult because it makes you hold the weight of your spine constantly.   It can cause fatigue of the lower back muscles and lead to poor posture very quickly.
  • C shaped Chairs-Chairs that have a dip or C shaped curve (like most automobiles) are bad support for the lumbar spine.  They encourage and improper foundation for the lower back. It also encourages a forward head lean which can lead to neck pain and discomfort over time.
  • Chairs with a hard surface-These can be detrimental because you may need to shift your center of gravity to find a comfortable position.  You don’t want to sit off center just for comfort, because it puts your spine and discs in compromised positions.
  • Chairs that are too tall for your work station-If a chair sits too high, you will spend most of your workday looking down at a steep angle, meaning by having a chair that is too tall, you increase your odds of getting neck pain and headaches.
  • Chairs that lean back – Avoid chairs that lean or sway back as it then becomes easy to let the torso fall back, placing strain on the neck and shoulders.  You want a chair that holds vertical and does not allow you to lean.

Chairs That Work

  • Chairs that have adjustable heights – These are critical as it allows you to modify the height of your chair to fit your specific work-station.
  • Chairs with a forward lumbar support – Certain chairs have contours that push out against the lumbar spine and provide support for the normal curve in the low back.  It makes holding posture much easier as it supports a normal healthy foundation.
  • Chairs with a decent cushion – Simply put, your comfortable and don’t have to change positions to keep comfortable.
  • Chairs that stay vertical – Avoid the leaning chairs!  They are tempting to use but can cause neck discomfort and Forward Head Posture (associated with neck pain and headaches).  The more vertical you stay with your chair, the less strain you will place on your upper back and shoulders.
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