Ergonomic Chairs: Correcting Bad Posture at Work

Poor posture is the leading cause of back pain

According to experts at Spine Health: “Unsupported postures cause the loads on your spine to disperse incorrectly, weakening the tissues in your lower back. As a result, the intricate network of muscles, discs, and joints in your back are pushed beyond their tolerable limit, causing pain.”

Do you slouch in your office chair? Or hunch over your desk when working on your computer or laptop? You’re not alone, many people have bad posture at work. It might not seem like a big deal, but poor posture can have a serious impact on your health and productivity.

Top three causes of bad posture

1. Desk jobs: People who sit at a desk all day are more likely to develop bad posture and associated health issues. In a recent employee survey, over 33% of respondents said that working at a desk has caused backache and over 24% said it has caused them to slouch.
2. Workstation setup: Your workstation can cause bad posture. For instance, if your desk is too high/low or your office chair does not provide the correct level of support. It is important that your workstation is set up in a way that encourages good posture.
3. Poor posture habits: Bad habits such as leaning to the side when you’re working at your desk or crossing your legs can cause bad posture and lead to health issues.

What is the correct office chair posture?

• Rest both feet flat on the floor
• Keep your upper back straight
• Have your forearms parallel to the desk
• Avoid crossing your legs and slouching
• Position your screen at eye-level

Features of an ergonomic office chair

• Five-star wheelbase
• Adjustable chair height
• Adjustable seat depth
• Adjustable armrests
• Adjustable headrest
• Comfortable fabric
• Lumbar support

What is the best chair for good posture?

Ergonomic desk chairs are the best option if you want to maintain good office chair posture. An ergonomic desk chair provides lower back support, promotes good office chair posture, and helps alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain

Ergonomic chairs have a higher price tag than basic office chairs, but they come equipped with extra features designed to support your body and prevent pain and injuries.

Things to consider when looking for a good posture chair

A quality chair can encourage good office chair posture, but there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your desk chair. You should do research and consider several factors to help you find the best chair for good posture.

With that in mind, here are some key things to consider when researching chairs for good posture…

Decide how much can you spend on a good posture chair

Finally, your budget will play an obvious role in the type of chair you buy. Decide how much you can afford to spend on your desk chair and then find a chair offering the best value for money.

TIP: We recommend buying the best chair you can afford. A good ergonomic office chair is a great investment that will help you maintain the correct office chair posture and reduce the chance of any health complications down the line.

Is there a posture fixing chair?

Upgrading your office chair will not automatically fix bad posture and associated symptoms e.g. back pain. However, a good ergonomic chair can help you maintain the correct office chair posture which will alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain.

Find the best chair for back posture

Back pain is one of the most common impacts of bad posture according to Six Physio. If you suffer from back pain, you should invest in a quality ergonomic home office chair that offers superior back support.

Research the best desk chair for back pain and choose a model that offers superior support and ergonomic adjustments. The best chair for back posture should come with:

• Adjustable lumbar support
• Highly adjustable backrest and seat
• Moveable armrests and headrests

Research the types of ergonomic chairs for good posture

There is a huge variety of ergonomic office chairs available and choosing the best desk chair for posture can be difficult! Here are three main types of ergonomic desk chairs to look out for:

1. Operator office chairs:
   Operator office chairs have all the ergonomic features you need and are considered one of the best chairs for good posture. Check out our mesh operator chairs if you’re looking for a functional and budget-friendly ergonomic chair.
2. Executive office chairs:
   Executive chairs have similar ergonomic features as standard operator chairs but they have a more high-end, premium design. For instance, our silver executive office chair features a luxury leather seat and a matt aluminium brushed frame.
3. Draughtsman office chairs:
   Draughtsman chairs are similar to operator chairs but they don’t have armrests. They provide great lumbar support and can encourage good office chair posture, but they are more suited to short periods of sitting.

Tips to improve your posture at work

Buying a good ergonomic desk chair is one of the best ways to improve your posture at work and stay healthy and productive. However, there are plenty of other ways to maintain good posture in the office.

Keep moving

A sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health and sitting at your desk all day can lead to bad posture. Studies have found that taking movement breaks every 30 minutes can greatly reduce the chance of sitting-related health issues like back pain.

Take regular breaks from your computer screen and use it as an opportunity to get some exercise by walking around the office or doing another physical activity.

Identify problems

Posture-related health complications don’t happen overnight and you will likely notice issues before they become more serious.

If musculoskeletal problems are occurring, try to determine the root cause of the issue and make necessary adjustments. For instance, you may need to change your workstation setup or request extra posture support.

Buy extra posture support

Buying a good posture office chair will help you maintain the correct posture while working, but it might not be enough to ensure optimal support while you work. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of equipment that can enhance your workstation:

• Extra lumbar support
• Footrest
• Wrist support

These simple devices can improve your office chair posture and ensure that you are as comfortable as possible while working.