When you have an office job, you spend most of your work day in a sitting position. You need a comfortable desk chair with good support that relieves stress on your spine. An ergonomic chair will provide essential support for your lower back and lumbar region and promote good posture.
Important Chair Features
Lumbar Support
Your lumbar spine has a natural inward curve that needs proper support. Sitting for long periods without this support leads to slouching and flattens this natural curve. Look for an ergonomic chair with both height and depth adjustments to help support the inward curve of your lower back.
Seat Width and Depth
A good ergonomic desk chair should be 17 to 20 inches wide with enough depth to sit comfortably against the backrest and an adjustable tilt. When sitting, you should have two to four inches between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. For comfort and easy movement, choose a chair with adequate padding and stem caster wheels.
Seat Height
A seat height from 16 to 21 inches will allow you to put your feet flat on the floor and your arms evenly on your desk without any discomfort. The seat height should be adjustable, preferably with a pneumatic lever for quick, simple height adjustments.
Backrest
Look for an ergonomic chair with a backrest that’s at least 12 to 19 inches wide. If the backrest and chair seat are made in one piece, the backrest should adjust in forward and backward angles with a locking mechanism that secures the position. If the backrest is separate from the seat, make sure you can adjust the height and angle for proper lumbar support.
Good Posture
By choosing an ergonomic desk chair with proper lumbar support, you can improve your posture. Correct posture not only enhances your physical appearance, but it’s essential to your back and spine health. Good posture helps to reduce back and neck pain, a common complaint for people who spend a lot of time in seated positions. Poor posture puts stress on the vertebrae in your spine, often leading to constricted blood vessels, nerve and muscle damage, discs and joint problems, headaches and fatigue.
Since your spine is not designed for long periods of sitting, it’s important to move around. If you have a desk job, make sure you get up, stretch and move around at regular intervals throughout your work day to prevent stiff muscles and fatigue. Be aware of your posture and remind yourself not to slouch while sitting or standing. Developing good posture may feel awkward at first, but it will promote a healthy spine and help prevent back or neck related problems in the future.
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