Monday, January 19, 2009

Prevent and Reduce Back Pain with an Ergonomic Chair

If you regularly sit in an office chair for extended periods of time, you run the risk of developing lower back pain. If you're already experiencing problems, they will only get worse. Pain and discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck and back is often a result of sustained periods of sitting. As well, pressure is placed on the spinal column.

Those who spend a lot of time seated in a desk chair might find themselves slouching. This posture stretches the spinal ligaments and strains the spinal discs.If this goes on for too long, it can lead to major damage to the lower back.

Fortunately, there's a way you can minimize the strain to your body that arises from this situation. Purchase the best ergonomic chair you can find, and adjust it correctly. This specially designed chair gives your back the best support possible and helps you to maintain proper posture when seated.

But it's not good enough to just assemble it and sit down. It's essential that you adjust the chair to suit your body structure.

The back rest should be adjusted to provide support for the lumbar region of your lower back. The height of the chair should be such that your feet are resting on the floor with your thighs in a horizontal position. If not, you will have to use a foot rest.

Your feet should not be dangling while you're seated. This compresses the tissue on the back of your thighs and knees and leads to pain in the lower legs.

You'll need some space between the back of your knees and the front of the chair, approximately the size of a fist. If there isn't, lower the chair slightly. If possible, tilt the seat slightly forward to further relieve any pressure.

An ergonomic chair is designed to reduce back pain. But for optimal back health, you also need to get up and move around a lot. No matter how comfortable you might feel in your ergonomic chair, prolonged seating is hard on your back.

Therefore, you should make a point of getting out of your chair frequently throughout the day. Get up out of your chair, do some stretches, or go for a walk. Even just a few minutes of activity will get your blood circulating.

Standard task chairs might be a less expensive choice than ergonomic office chairs. However, they're of little use for the prevention of back pain.Using an ergonomically designed chair is the best way to get rid of any back problems.

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