People across the country are suffering from aches and pains due to bad home office chairs. Having a chair that does not offer the proper support while working can lead to a whole host of bodily discomforts that are totally preventable. Here are some things to look for in a good home office chair.
Adjustable Home Office Chairs
According to a familydoctor.org article, people should sit with their knees a little higher than their hips, so a chair should be able to be adjusted so that anyone can sit in this position. Also, the home office chair should be able to swivel so that the person sitting moves their whole body, not just at the waist which could result in back strain.
When looking at chairs, see how much they are able to be adjusted and pick one that would work for every member of the family. Play with the adjuster to make sure that it is easy to use and that it does not easily get stuck.
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support basically means lower back support. Dr. John J Triano says in a December 17, 2003 spine-health.com article that improper lumbar support can lead to slouching and that "This slouching posture pushes the lower back out, so that the natural inward curve goes in the opposite direction—outward toward the chair—straining the structures in the lower back." A home office chair with good lumbar support should be flush with the lower back to help avoid this strain.
To find one of these ergonomic chairs, look for ones that appear to have good lumbar support. Sit in them to see if it helps to align the spine. Many of these chairs can come with adjustable lumbar support so that it can be configured to work with more than one person. There are also special lumbar support pillows that can be bought if needed.
Materials of Home Office Chairs
Home office chairs can be made of leather, faux leather, suede, vinyl, canvas, or cloth. Think about who is going to be using this home office chair. If there will be young children around it, consider buying a chair that can easily be cleaned.
Some people are even going plastic for their home office chairs in the form of yoga balls (they are also known as exercise balls or gym balls). According to a 2007 article in the Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, "patients in this report were suffering with low back pain, and both improved when they began consistently using the gym ball." Trying a yoga ball as a home office chair might be worth a shot.
Cost of a Home Office Chair
Prices can greatly vary from around $25 to well over $200 and a yoga ball can cost as little as $10. A higher priced chair does not always mean a better quality chair. Read several online reviews to see what others have to say about things like back support and ease of use. Just remember, one chair will not work for everyone. It is always better to go and try it out to make sure it is a proper fit.
Resources
- www.familydoctor.org
- Triano, John Dr., "Types of Back Support and Ergonomic Office Chairs" www.spine-health.com December 17, 2003
- The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association
Honey Denson - I the mother to three wonderful children and five years ago I left my job as a full time English teacher to spend more time with them. Now ...
