6 Important guidelines to avoid office chair back pain
Back pain caused by office chair sitting is a common problem that can be easily avoided by following these 6 important office chair set-up guidelines.
1. Elbow Positioning
2. Thigh Positioning
3. Calf Positioning
4. Lower Back Support
5. Eye Level
6. Armrest Positioning
The first step is to adjust the office desk to your desired height while taking into account your height and the type of work that will be taking place within the office work station. Once you have adjusted the height of your desk you can begin adjusting your office chair as per your physical proportions. The below 6 important guidelines will assist you in making your office work space the most comfortable and with the least amount of stress on your spine.
1. Elbow Positioning – Sit comfortably within your office chair as close as possible to your desk so that your upper arms are parallel to your spine. Place hands on your work surface (e.g. desktop, computer keyboard). Your elbows must be on a 90-degree angle in order to achieve optimal elbow positioning within your office chair.
2. Thigh Positioning - In order to evaluate if your thigh positioning is correct, check that you can easily slide your fingers under your thigh at the leading edge of the office chair. If the finger positioning is too tight you will need to prop your feet up with an adjustable footrest.
3. Calf Positioning – In order to evaluate proper calf positioning you must push against the chair back with your bottom and then try to pass your clenched fist between the back of your calf and the front part of your office chair. If you can not do this test properly it indicates that your office chair is too deep and you will need to adjust your backrest forward. Another solution is to insert a low back support (lumbar support cushion or a pillow or a rolled up towel).
4. Lower Back Support – The main point to remember is that there should be a cushion that causes your lower back to arch slightly so that you don’t slump forward or slouch down in the office chair during your work session. The purpose of a proper lower back support is to minimize the strain on your back which can cause damage to your lower back and lumbar discs.
5. Eye Level - Eye level is an important factor in avoiding neck strain. Sit on your office chair and check that your eye gaze is aimed at the center of your computer monitor. If your computer screen is higher or lower than your gaze, you need to either raise or lower it to reduce the probability of neck strain during your work day.
6. Armrest Positioning – The armrest should align your elbows with the height of your office desk in order to sit within a proper posture and avoid neck and shoulder stress. In addition, a proper positioned armrest will make it less likely for you to slouch forward.
If you following these 6 important guidelines you should be able to avoid or reduce neck, shoulder and back pain and have a more comfortable and effective work station.
8 Important things to consider when purchasing a office chair
So you are browsing the various office furniture sites reviewing office chairs for your work station. The selection is overwhelming and the decision to choose a specific office chair will have an important impact on your comfort, health and overall work performance.
Here are 8 important things to consider when purchasing a new office chair:
1. Backrest – it is important to pick an office chair that has a contoured backrest that will give your back the comfort and support it needs. It is important to pick a chair shaped to match the natural contour of your spine.
2. Height Adjustable Backrest – it is important that your new office chair has an height adjustable backrest in order to provide your back customized comfort and support.
3. Padding – In order to achieve the maximum office seat comfort it is important that the seat padding be dense enough to support your weight evenly and sculpted to fit the human form. Remember, don’t go too soft.
4. Waterfall slope – office chairs with waterfall slope cushions that slope down at the front of the chair is highly recommended. This ergonomic feature helps improve circulation to the lower section of the legs during seating. This feature is extremely important for people that spend long hours in the office chair.
5. Arm rests – arm rests help keep both of your arms in a comfortable position. In addition, arm rests reduce shoulder, neck and back strain.
6. Height Adjustment- its is important that your chair have an height adjustment lever in order to allow you height adjustments to your office chair. One touch action is highly recommended for height adjustment levers.
7. Height Adjustment access – make sure all adjustments controls can be accessed from a seated position. Multi-tilt and operator mechanisms are important for data-entry and/or computer work. Easy access adjustments allows you to vary your position while maintaining effective seating support by your office chair.
8. Casters (AKA- chair wheels) – casters allow you easy mobility during your work day within your work station area. It is important to take into consideration your work stations floor type when reviewing various types of office chair casters (wheels) such as carpets, hard surfaces or both.
Welcome to Office Furniture Directory
Welcome to office furniture directory a site solely dedicated to providing information and sources to the online office furniture world. This site was created for both the individual and companies seeking to find the best online office furniture stores and learn about new office furniture products and deals.
The office is a place where people spend a vast majority of their time, it seems only logical that it should be spent comfortable and organized. Therefore office furniture directory was created in order to assist you or your company in finding the best online stores in the office furniture industry in order to achieve a great work environment.
This site will provide the following info for you in order to achieve this goal:
1. List of top tier online office furniture stores in the US,CA and UK regions.
2. Monthly and daily deal updates from the top tier online furniture stores in your region.
3. Daily articles about new office furniture products (desk, chairs, ergonomic office furniture).
We look forward assisting you in making your office a more comfortable place.