Sort by --Price: Lowest firstPrice: Highest firstProduct Name: A to ZProduct Name: Z to AReference: Lowest firstReference: Highest first Orthopaedic Office Chair for Whiplash Sufferers This orthopaedic office chair with extra neck support was designed to relieve whiplash symptoms and neck pain.People who suffer with whiplash or have neck pain after a car accident will find this office chair with its extra neck support particularly beneficial.Chair comes complete with Adjustable Armrests and Adjustable Neckrest.Fame Fabric Swatch. SHOP BY SOLUTION Back Pain Neck and Shoulder Pain Repetitive Strain Injury Ergonomic Office Other Solutions Home and Car Leg and Ankle PainBlog Categories [17] News & Events [9] RSI [19] Back Care [4] Neck and Shoulder [27] Ergonomic Work StationRecent Articles Choose your Arm Support Wedge for use with Microscopes Sales Executive – Munster MSDs, RSI and other Ergonomic Injuries Sitting at work can be deadly - simple solution OrthoMouse Ergonomic Mouse Reviews Blog Search
Did you know that about 70% of America's workforce sits on the job? Add to that the time most of us spend sitting down doing non-work tasks such as eating, studying, watching television, and driving. Americans today spend a lot of time sitting and it's taking its toll on our bodies. While most people believe it is relaxing, sitting is actually hard on the back because it transfers the full weight of the upper body onto the buttocks and thighs. Sitting, especially for long periods of time, can also cause increased pressure on the intervertebral discs- the springy, shock-absorbing parts of the spine. It's also hard on the lower extremities since gravity pools blood in the legs and feet and creates a sluggish return of blood to the heart. In addition, most people do not use good body mechanics while sitting. Improper sitting posture can not only cause physical discomfort but also contributes to serious health problems, including: Proper seating in a well-constructed ergonomic chair can help reduce fatigue and discomfort, increase blood flow, reduce the risk of injury, and increase productivity.
What is an Ergonomic Chair? Whether a chair is to be used at a computer workstation or in front of a machine on the factory floor, it must be well suited for the tasks at hand and must fit the worker's size. Many chair manufacturers use the word "ergonomic" to describe their products, but you might need to look further than the label to see if it truly incorporates ergonomic guidelines. The following recommendations can help you choose a chair that will increase comfort and reduce the risk of injury: Use a chair with casters (a pivoting roller or wheel attached to the bottom of the chair) and a 5-point base to make movement easier and minimize tipping. Nylon carpet casters are usually standard, but soft wheel casters are available for hard surfaces such as linoleum. Rubber locking casters are useful on stools to prevent tipping. You may also want to choose a chair that swivels easily. The seat pan is the part of the chair that supports the majority of the your weight.
Choose a chair with a cushion made from dense, small-cell foam padding or spring coils (this usually involves purchasing a chair over $250.00). Inferior cushions that loose shape or compress can cause discomfort, imbalance, and hip and back fatigue. The seat pan should be at least one inch wider than your hips and thighs on either side. In addition, the front part of the seat should slope down slightly (this is called a waterfall front) and allow a fist size gap between the back of your knees and the front edge of the seat pan to reduce pressure on the back of your thighs. Also, look for a chair with tilt adjustments that allow for a forward working posture or a reclined posture. A seat pan with a sliding mechanism is also a beneficial feature. This allows small and tall users to adjust the distance of the seat pan from the backrest. Adequate lumbar support is the most crucial element of a backrest. Inadequate lumbar support places excess pressure on the spine. The backrest should either be small enough to fit into the small of the back, clearing the pelvis and back of the rib cage, or curved to provide adequate support.
Many chairs come with a built-in lumbar adjustment, which can be adjusted by turning a knob on the side of the chair. This is best if more than one person will be using the chair. You may also want to look for a chair that has back supports that are large enough to provide mid-back and upper back support as well. Adjustable height and width are absolutely necessary when purchasing a chair with armrests. The armrest should be made of a soft material and should be at least 2" wide to provide adequate surface area. Almost all chairs come with some type of seat height adjustment. This is probably the single most import adjustment mechanism on a chair. It allows you to adjust the chair so your feet can rest properly on the floor while your upper body is properly aligned with your tools such as a computer, display monitor, or keyboard. While hydraulic adjustments are standard on most chairs, pneumatic adjustments are a nice feature as they allow you to adjust the seat height while you are sitting on the chair.
Make sure the mechanism to adjust the seat is easy to reach. Chair Recline or Tilt Adjustability The chair recline or tilt adjustment changes the angle of the entire seat relative to the floor. As with backrest angle adjustability, a reclined chair transfers some of the upper body weight to the backrest of the chair. Keep in mind that locking the backrest in one position isn't recommended or beneficial. Footrest - in most cases you should not need to use a footrest. However, if you need additional foot support choose a free-standing floor-mounted support that allows you to rest your feet in front of you in a comfortable position. Fabric - when choosing a chair, keep in mind cleaning and maintenance of the chair when making your choice. Cloth upholstery is the most common covering but may not be easy to keep clean. Vinyl or leather covers are easier to clean but don't breath as well and may make your legs warm. In addition to using a chair that allows you to sit properly, there are other precautions you can take to minimize discomfort and injury while sitting: