What Are Ergonomic Chairs and what are their benefits?

black rolling chair inside the office
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Are you one of the many people who work long office hours sitting at a desk and are in the same position for a lengthy period? 

Have you been stuck with the same old, uncomfortable chairs that cause you back and neck pain? 

If this applies to you then ergonomic chairs are necessary and they are currently being implemented as the gold standard in an office space. There are many different types of other ergonomic furniture like the adjustable standing desk.

Ideally you should be sitting with feet flat to the floor, hips and knees parallel, with less pressure at the back of the thighs for the perfect posture while sitting on a chair and unfortunately, these regular office chairs that you are used to do not allow for this. This is what can lead to negative health outcomes.

What are ergonomic chairs?

An ergonomic chair is essentially a chair that has been made specifically to promote good posture and maximise comfort. They provide the spine with support and allow joints to rest in a natural position while giving the freedom to move with the adjustability of the chairs. This has been seen to have various health benefits of switching to these chairs over your tired, old computer chairs.

Health benefits of ergonomic chairs

1. Helps with back and neck pain.

The most common health issue that people who work in offices must take time off work for is back and neck pain. Ergonomic chairs are built with the spine in mind and offer essential support that is needed that works with the natural curvature of the spine and are built to ensure the entire back is supported not just the lower section. Also, supports the neck with addition of head rests to allow you to take pressure off your neck.

2. Helps to support correct posture.

Regular computer chairs just do not allow you to keep good posture over a lengthy period, in no time you are slumping over and increasing your susceptibility to the back and neck injuries that have already been covered. An ergonomic desk chair allows full adjustability to work with your height and your desk to ensure you can sit comfortably with correct posture.

3. Helps to improve blood circulation.

With the seat adjusted to a 90% angle on ergonomic chairs, it allows for proper circulation in your legs. This will prevent those times while at work and sitting for a while when you get swelling, numbness and tingling in your legs and feet.

4. Helps to relieve pressure on hips.

Ergonomic chairs have been made with sufficient padding and dept to support and reduce pressure on the hips. With regular chairs, especially hard ones, after prolonged periods of sitting, this puts unnecessary pressure on the hips that can lead to pain.

5. Helps to boost productivity.

When somebody is comfortable while working, they are happier and more productive. While uncomfortable you can be easily distracted with aches and pains that can even lead to having to take time off, then affecting your income. With ergonomic chairs being made to improve overall comfort, it has seen increases in productivity as well as work quality.

6. Improve physical and mental well being. 

Not only do ergonomic chairs physically help the body by supporting correct posture, but it also promotes positive mental wellness in employees. If a company invests money into supplying ergonomic chairs that support their employees, they feel more valued and like their health matters to this company. Also, they are less likely to suffer from pain related to having to sit for prolonged periods of time.

And the benefits do not end there, if they user health benefits weren’t enough then here are some more benefits of replacing your old computer chairs with ergonomic ones:

  • Workers have less time off for workers due to work related injuries.

With less back, neck and hip pain due to them being supported the most common issues that stop people working are reduced so this is not only better outcomes financially for employees and employers alike. 

  • Designed to be used by all.

With their highly adjustable design, it allows all heights, shapes, and sizes to be able to fit comfortably. This is great for workplaces as it accommodates the body shape of everybody. 

  • Long-term use.

Due to ergonomic chairs being designed with longevity in mind they will last a long-time so you would not have to make recurrent purchases once it has been used as it doesn’t ware as quickly as standard chairs.

Countries like Denmark have taken the step to ensure that it is mandatory now not to supply ergonomic furniture to employees who work in office environments as essentially, it adds to poor outcomes for many resulting in physical health and mental well-being. So, if you are working in an office or are sitting for lengthy periods of time, then this is a necessity.