Ergonomic Seating
What does Ergonomics Mean?
Ergonomics is the science of designing office environments and office furniture to match the individuals who use them. The word ergonomics comes from the Greek "ergon" meaning "work" and "nomos" meaning "law".
How Can Ergonomics Help?
Ergonomics can promote better health, improve body posture, and reduce absenteeism. It also provides relief from stress, fatigue, eye strain, headaches, blurry vision, back problems, and neck problems. Ergonomics can reduce the risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Should I Do?
No one can afford to miss work because of serious health problems that can occur from sitting the wrong way, so we feel it is important to share our knowledge on the subject. The goal of ergonomic office seating is to make sure you are continually in a comfortable working posture that naturally aligns with all of your joints.
LOWER BODY: Your feet should either rest comfortably on the floor or you should use a foot rest. The seat should be well padded to support your hips and thighs. The seat should at least be 16 inches off the ground. Proper seat height determines how much pressure is placed under your thighs, which affects blood flow to your legs. The length of the seat pan should be between 15 and 17 inches and it should be at least 18 inches wide. The edges should be padded and shaped with soft, firm material. However, it shouldn't be too contoured since this will restrict changing positions when needed. The depth of the seat pan should be adjustable for shorter or taller users. A waterfall seat edge helps reduce pressure at the back of the knee, contributing to good blood flow. Following these simple rules helps you avoid pressure under your thighs, easing blood flow.
BACK: It is important that the backrest of your office chair corresponds to the natural curvature of your spine. Support for the lumbar region is vital! A good ergonomic office chair should allow you to adjust the back height, which helps create proper lumbar support. If you don't have access to an ergonomic office chair, roll up a towel or use a cushion to support your lumbar region. Your head and torso should be in-line with the head bent slightly forward. Your shoulders should be at ease. The backrest should widen at its base and curve in from the sides, like the human back does. It should be at least 15 inches high and 12 inches wide. The backrest should also let you recline at least 15 degrees and lock into place if you need it to. It should go up high enough to provide enough support for your upper trunk, neck, and shoulders. Following these simple rules reduces the likelihood of back pain.
ARMS: Your hands, wrists, and forearms should be in a straight row and nearly parallel to the floor. The elbows should be close to your body. The bend of elbows should be between 90 and 110 degrees. The distance between the armrests should usually be at least 16 inches. It is a good idea to have an office chair that has removable and adjustable arm rests. The length and width of the arm rests should be large enough to support your forearm. Armrests should also be firm and soft. Following these simple rules reduces muscular effort in neck and shoulders, minimizing risk of pain in these areas.
OTHER ERGONOMIC OFFICE SEATING TIPS: Though the rules above may give you the image of a very stiff individual that is simply not the case. It is very important that you move around once in a while. It is not healthy to remain in one posture for too long. Remember to change your position occasionally. Adjust your chair and backrest regularly. Also, stretch your fingers, hands, arms, and torso throughout the day. Mesh office chairs are becoming more and more popular. When purchasing a mesh office chair, it is important to make sure the mesh offers proper support and is not too flimsy or stiff.