For several years, the significance of ergonomics and good posture has been understated. However, with more and more research and data released, it is apparent that the sitting conditions we practiced in our younger years have notable effects on our health as we get older.
Aching joints, back pains, and other severe problems can all be influenced by the chair we use, both at work and at home. Thankfully, ergonomic seating has been established to help solve the long-term health problems related to seated posture, and it is a subject that is worth paying attention to.
Pain from Bad Posture
A lower back herniated disc is one of the most common issues associated with sitting in a traditional chair. How does this happen? A bulk of your weight is placed on your hips or lower back as you sit in a chair, which becomes a strain on your hips or lower spine over time.
Your upper body weight pushes down on the base of your spine as well as the surrounding ligaments and muscles, causing pain after several years. Normally when you experience back pain, you respond naturally by hunching forward. This stretches the ligaments that hold your disc in place. Over time, your discs begin to push out to the nerves of your spinal column because the stretched ligaments are incapable of keeping the base of your spine any longer. The pressure causes a lot of pain, which may result in needing physical therapy or surgery.
Benefits of an Ergonomic Chair at Home
An ergonomic chair is important for use at home because of the number of hours most people spend in front of their computers. Ergonomic seating at the home has become just as important as in the office. Here are some benefits ergonomic chairs have to offer:
It promotes a neutral seated posture: Many people have developed incorrect posture as a result of the way they sit on traditional chairs. With ergonomic chairs, these problems are well taken care of. It comes with the features essential to sufficiently support your posture while sitting. Moreover, the chair’s height can be adjusted so that your feet sit flat on the floor.
Comfortability: Unlike normal chairs, you can sit in ergonomic chairs and feel comfortable throughout. If the features don’t make you comfortable, you can adjust them individually till they fit your needs.
It mitigates problems associated with neck pain: If your neck is not supported while sitting for extended periods, you’ll develop stiff neck and shoulders. This can cause complications like cervical spondylosis. Headrests are an ergonomic chair feature that provide support the head and neck and is beneficial for people who spend time on the phone.
It reduces the risk of back pain: Since ergonomic chairs come with a backrest that supports the spine’s natural curve, they help to keep the back relaxed and free of pain. They are higher than traditional chairs and support the entire back. They also come with a reclining function that make it easy to rest at an angle beyond 90 degrees.
Reduces pressure on the hips: The hard surface of normal chairs makes sitting uncomfortable and cause unnecessary contact pressure on your hips. An ergonomic chair has a good seat depth that helps to support the hips and buttocks.
An ergonomic chair is worth the investment to prevent future issues concerning posture and overall physical health.
At Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants, we can evaluate your current workspace, find ways to make it more ergonomic, and then provide and install the necessary equipment to do so. To learn more, contact us today!
