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Archive for the ‘ergonomic chairs’ Category

When one pictures an office chair in their head there is a universal perception as to what a typical office chair looks like. This image usually includes a set of five wheels, a black nylon five-star base, a cylinder which allows the chair to be adj

usted up and down, a seat, and a backrest. While this is the case for over 90% of chair models out there, there are the unique 10% that break away from the mold. The difference is most commonly found in the shape of the backrest. While these backrests may appear to be odd and out of the ordinary, sometimes when it comes to office chairs the weirder it looks the better it actually is for your back.

Independent Lower Back Support
One popular type of backrest that can be found on specialty ergonomic chairs is a backrest that is separated into two parts, one part for the upper back and one part for the lower back. The advantage to this type of back support is the independent lower back support provides extra and exacting lumbar support, especially favorable for those that suffer from lower back pain. This chair is ideal for lower back pain sufferers as they need additional support in their lumbar region that can often not be achieved with a standard back rest. The most popular office chair model that has this type of support is the Ergohuman by Eurotech.

Scapular Independence
Chairs that are designed for scapular independence allow for freedom of motion for individuals around their shoulder blade area when seated. The benefit of having a backrest that tapers away from the shoulder blade area is that occupants have the advantage of being able to sit back and avoid interference that is often caused by full back rests. This is helpful for occupations that call for having to reach for the phone, different parts of the desk, for supplies, files, cabinets, etc. when seated. The overall idea of this is to promote healthier sitting postures which are often not achieved with full chair backs. This type of backrest also promotes a more active work environment as users are now able to stretch and bend without having to worry about their chair getting in their way. This type of backrest can be seen on the Allseating Therapod and Office Master Discovery Back Chairs.

Winged Backrests
Winged backrests are another unique type of backrest that are found on specialized ergonomic chairs that feature a shape that is designed to focus on providing support for the mid to lower back. With two pronounced side contours, the wing shape envelopes the users middle and lower back which works to provide back pain relief. A popular model that features this backrest is the Ergocentric Mycentric.

Spine Backrests
Perhaps the most odd -ooking of all the backrests available are those that focus on all parts of the spine. This type of backrest provides the most overall back support for those that suffer from upper and lower back pain. This support is unique in that it supports all different parts of the spine through either a strap support system or individual “ribs”. The strap support system is built into the backrest, either covered or uncovered, and allows the user to pull the straps to tighten them wherever they need more support along different parts of their spine. On other chairs that have “ribs” these are located along the middle of the backrest and can be pushed in or pulled out depending on how much pressure is needed along different points of the spine. Both types of support are the best at achieving customized support for the whole back. Chairs that incorporate this distinctive advantage are the RFM Preferred Verte and Allseating CPOD.

To view SitBetter’s extensive line of ergonomic office chairs please click here.

When a person enters your place of business, one thing they likely notice is how you are sitting. If you are slumped over, you may give the impression of being tired or unapproachable. This can be offsetting to customers and fellow co-workers, and

even worse, it can put a strain on your back that can cause you significant amounts of pain over the long-haul. Now, people are turning to modern chairs for the office to help sit in a more welcoming way while also delivering some much-needed relief to their spine and hips.

Here are a few examples of odd-looking seating solutions that work to help people feel better when they sit.

Adjustable Bar Stools

For some businesses that have designated eating areas or those that serve food, bar stools provide a unique way to ease the strain during breakfast meetings or lunch hour. When a person is eating, they extend their arms and wrists in a way that can put pressure on the wrist and elbows. By adding adjustable bar stools, people are able to adjust their seating to be more ergonomically friendly and encourage them to sit better while they are eating. This also allows people to move more freely while they are eating, which is an important part of helping to reduce strain on the spine from sitting in the same posture for extended periods of time.

Kneeling Down

This can be one of the most interesting sights in a place of business, but kneeling-down seating options have some of the best effects when used for small periods of time. The simple and highly ergonomically friendly designed kneeling chair is perfect for people who want to change the way they sit. It works by opening up the thigh from the upper part of the body. This in turn helps the back hold onto its natural curvature reducing the temptation to slouch or hunch over. It also helps the person kneeling to sit more actively, which can boost the flow of energy.

Sit in a Saddle

Saddle type seating is similar to the kneeling solution. When you sit on this odd-looking saddle stool, your legs are encouraged to open just slightly and your thighs are naturally lowered. This helps your back by putting the spine in a curvature that will eliminate pain-causing pressure and allow you to maintain good posture. The height is adjustable, so it is easy to find the best fit for any body type. The saddle stool is perfect for people who move around frequently from room to room, such as in a doctor or dentist office.

Executive Seating

While high-backed leather chairs are not uncommon in a corporate building, ones that are designed ergonomically can turn heads at their unique but sleek shape. For people who suffer from chronic back pain, having a chair that can support the various parts of the back and the natural lumbar curve in the spine can be hugely beneficial—so much so that some insurance companies have actually paid for these types of seating solutions as medically certified necessities. The Verte, for example, works by supporting 11 different spots along the spine with its unique back adjusters that allow individuals to get the specific support they need. The arms and height are also adjustable, making this a fully customizable solution for anyone with chronic pain.

If you are looking for a way to feel better at work, it may be a good idea to try one of these oddly shaped chairs. They not only work as a conversation starter, but they can also help promote better posture. Over time, they will deliver health benefits that will help reduce your pain and make you feel more energized.

For more information on ergonomic chairs and to view SitBetter’s extensive collection of ergonomic chairs, please click here!

Sitting in an office chair at work is almost inevitable with the growing number of desk jobs and steady increase in office related positions. If you are going to be sitting for the majority of the work day, it is important to be sitting in a chair that is going to be adjustable enough to allow you to sit comfortably for hours a day. While most of us search for chairs with functionality, one area of the chair we often overlook is the armrests. Almost every chair has armrests of some sort or the option to add armrests as an upgrade to the chair. Armrests are an important component of any ergonomic office chair. Proper armrest design allows a place to rest your arms while working, relieving the pressure from your upper back and shoulders which sometimes is experienced when using an armless chair. There are a number of different types of armrests available which is why it is important to determine which will work best for your needs and keep you sitting comfortably throughout the day.

Fixed Armrests – Fixed armrests are the most affordable but also the least adjustable option available. They are fixed in height and are not adjustable. While these type of armrests are certainly an economical choice, they are not a very ergonomic option. They lack the adjustability needed to place the arms at the correct height for your body and can cause back pain because of this. If armrests are too high, this will raise the shoulders, causing tension in the shoulders and upper back muscles. Too low and they may cause you to lean forward which also puts pressure on your upper back. While fixed armrests are not the best choice for ergonomic chairs, they are a good choice for desk chairs that are only used for a few hours a day or conference room chairs.

Height Adjustable Armrests – At the very minimum, armrests should be able to adjust in height to enable your arms to rest in a comfortable working position for your everyday tasks. Height adjustable arms can be found as an option or included on most office chairs and is among the most popular armrest available. If it is not included in the price of the chair, adjustable armrests are generally reasonably priced to add-on as an option.

Some height adjustable armrests are also width adjustable, allowing the user to move the armrests out further from their seat if they are wider or bring them in closer to the body if they have a smaller frame. If you do have width adjustable armrests be certain not to put the armrests too close together as this can interfere with relaxed typing and restrict the ability to rest your hands in your lap when you are not typing, creating a confined environment. Armrests which are too far apart may cause shoulders to over-extend, causing upper back strain. Width adjustment is not as common as height adjustment in armrests and can only be found on certain models by select manufacturers.

Multi-Function Armrests – Multi-function armrests are highly adjustable and allow for the arms to be adjusted in height, width, and the arm pad has the ability to pivot. These highly adjustable armrests are a great option for shorter or wider individuals that need their arms closer to their body or farther away. The independent pivoting action helps accommodate sideways arm postures that are commonly found among computer users.

With the large range of adjustments available in multi-function arms, it is important to make sure that they do not interfere with your work surface. Poorly designed armrests may constrain postures, causing users to hunch forward and work with elevated arms. Specific work stations set ups may interfere with armrests, contributing to poor posture while working. Pivoting armrests allow the arm pad to be angled inward to prevent problems with narrow diameter corner work surfaces which can be obstructive.

Lateral Adjustable Armrests – Perhaps one of the most advanced armrests to emerge on the market to date, lateral adjustable armrests are an ergonomist’s dream come true especially in the petite market. They are both height and width adjustable and perhaps the best feature of all, can telescope up to 3″ inwards. They are a great choice for petite users that have a difficult time finding an armrest that allows them to rest their arms at the correct position close enough to their body without having to use a children’s chair. These advanced armrests are expensive in price but also among the most ergonomic/adjustable option out there.

Designing good armrests is not an easy task. Not only do people come in a broad range of sizes; they also develop their own ways of sitting over the years. Women tend to sit upright whereas men tend to lean back in their chairs and lounge. Armrests also must accommodate users’ different workstation configurations, including ergonomic accessories such as keyboard trays and mouse pads. Finding the right armrests luckily is not as difficult of a task. With the research and technology being developed in the field of ergonomics, armrests are now able to fit a larger range of users than ever before. When deciding which arms will work best for your work environment, remember the more adjustable the better.

In this modern and technology-centered world, the average worker is spending more and more time at work, crunching numbers, working at computers and perhaps most importantly, just trying to get ahead in a tough economy. This means that workers are also spending more and more time sitting in poorly designed chairs, which can have negative health effects if not given the proper attention.

Verte Office Chair

Office chairs, despite the amount of hours we spend sitting in them, do not seem to get the attention they deserve. The experts at Sitbetter.com specialize in finding and selling chairs that are well designed and comfortable for extended hours spent at the office. The Verte chair is one example and is specially designed for those with chronic back pain. As an executive ergonomic chair, it allows the sitter to customize the amount of pressure at eleven different points of contact. Unsurprisingly, the chair itself is considered a medically approved necessity for back pain sufferers, sometimes even covered by insurance providers.

An office worker may think that by asking for a more comfortable chair, they are being difficult or not being a team player. On the contrary, working in the right kind of chair can make you more productive, thereby making you more of an asset to your company.

The following are some things to look for:

• Adjustability

Is the chair a one-size-fits-all model, or can you adjust it to your comfort?

• Maneuverability

Does it recline and swivel so that you can be active at your desk throughout the day?

• Design and Aesthetic

This is important, as no one wants to sit in an unattractive chair. Elements such as color, size and overall shape can affect the look of your office as a whole.

• Level of Support

Ergonomic Task Chair

If you’re not a chronic back pain sufferer, and are just looking for a chair to prevent any deterioration of your health, a medically approved chair with a high level of support may too much for you. Make sure you choose a chair that doesn’t provide too much support to an already healthy back.

Overall, it’s important not to underestimate the importance of a quality chair to maintain a healthy back.

For those who spend their days in the office behind a desk, there is an unfortunate trade off that comes with the work—pain. The chances are great that you have probably been the victim of pain as a result of your desk job, and you probably never even thought about the fact that you might be inadvertently contributing to your own discomfort and aches. Your posture or even the angle at which you look at the computer screen all add up to poor body mechanics and contribute to pain.

Chair for Back Pain

Most people experience pain in the following four major areas:

• Lower back
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Wrists

Some experience pain elsewhere as well, but generally, the wrists and the back are the primary and precursors for other pains.

A Solution to Your Aches and Pains

Websites, such as Sitbetter.com, have developed simple ecommerce solutions for those who seek pain relief at the office. In fact, one of the most popular pain management solutions is an office chair for lower back pain. These ergonomically designed chairs are specifically made to promote proper posture and body mechanics while sitting behind an office desk to do work. The specially designed chairs provide lumbar support and many times are completely adjustable to meet the needs of any individual. Comfort is key with these chairs, as is proper body alignment, and as a result, these chairs represent the first solution toward ridding oneself of pain.

Chair for Lower Back Pain

An online store, such as Sitbetter.com, has some great chairs for lower back pain. In fact, unlike many other ergonomic chair providers that carry only a handful of seating at premium prices, the ecommerce marketplace has proven to be a great source for seats at an affordable range of prices.

Whatever your pain level is, it is great to know that your budget doesn’t determine how much relief you can experience. There are a number of great chairs for lower back pain at reasonable prices. Of course, the higher-end chairs do offer certain luxuries like massage and heat, but for the fundamental ergonomic chair, having the right tools to rid back pain doesn’t mean breaking the bank.