Chances are good that whether you are at work or at your computer at home, you are reading this while sitting on an office chair. And while we hope we’re wrong, that chair you’re sitting on is probably not your back’s best friend. Is it one of those simply-constructed task chairs that wobbles when you move, and has an open, unsupportive back? Or potentially worse, is it a fancy leather executive chair that looks nice and feels soft to the touch, but brings pangs of pain into your back? There are too many inferior chairs on the market to keep track of, and sadly, some of them are quite expensive. While well-constructed, ergonomic office chairs are rarely cheap, price unto itself is not a signifier of quality.
There are several things to look for in a good office chair that will support your back to help reduce and prevent pain, and give your body the freedom of movement necessary. In short – your body wasn’t designed to sit. It thrives on mobility, from bending and stretching to lifting and walking. However, modern life doesn’t allow for the amount of movement our bodies would prefer, and poorly-designed furniture only adds to the problem by not considering what our bodies need in its construction. We can’t grant a general diagnosis as to the source of back pain for everyone reading this. But if you are sitting on a chair every day that wasn’t built with ergonomic support and are experiencing back pain, neck pain, or even difficulty concentrating, a better chair may be just what your body is asking for.
At BackcareBasics.com, we carry a wide variety of ergonomic office chairs to suit every budget and every body. We are proud to offer selections from some of the best names in the back care business, including Varier and BodyBilt, and are also very proud to have recently launched our own line, the Galaxy Office Chair Collection. The Galaxy line of chairs was designed to bring sturdy, supportive, smartly-designed office chairs for a fantastic price. These ergonomic chairs bring many important features including:
- Waterfall Seat Design. This is simply the gentle sloping forward at the front of the seat, which helps to relieve pressure on the backs of your knees. This is important not only for comfort, but for circulation as well.
- Seat Height Adjustability. Most office chairs will have this feature, but its importance is not to be overlooked!
- Center-Tilt Movement. This allows your chair, and hence your body, to rock back and forth. Whether you are reaching for a file, or reaching for the phone, it is important to have a chair that responds to your movements instead of standing in the way of them and causing undue stress to your body.
- Contoured Cushions. While people come in all shapes and sizes, no matter their shape and size a contoured cushion helps to keep them comfortable and stable in their seat.
- Arm Height Adjustment. This feature isn’t found on every good office chair out there, but for me personally I find it’s a must. I’m at the computer for at least 10 hours most days, and when I’m reading I need a comfortable place to rest my arms. Everything in the body is connected, and discomfort in one location can trigger a pain in another.
Are you interested in upgrading to one of our ergonomic office chairs or uniquely comfortable kneeling chairs? We’d be happy to extend a 10% discount for any item on our site to readers of The Back Pain Blog! All orders over $100 will ship free, and we offer a low shipping rate for orders under $100. Please use code: CWIL10 to save 10% through 3/31/11. And if you have any questions at all about which chair or back care products best suit your needs, feel free to call Backcare Basics at 800.858.8987. One of our back care experts will be happy to discuss your unique needs with you and get you on the path to a happier back!
