Bad Chair Days can Become Good

Nov. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- If you're having a rough day - or week - or month in your chair at work, maybe it's time to upgrade your chairs.

Studies show that using an ergonomically-designed chair can dramatically decrease physical strain on employees who work at a desk, and increase productivity. Further, a reduction in medical leave time and disabilities may result from the proper ergonomic seating.

Most office chairs offer some adjustability, notably seat height, back tilt, and swivel adjustment.  Others also offer seat-slider adjustment in which the user can move the seat independently forward or backward, depending on the length of their legs and back.  The optimal ergonomic office-desk chair will offer additional adjustments for the back and arms.

Lumbar Support Impact

Fixed Support Seating – Fixed or non-adjustable seating is based on standards that use a fixed curvature to support the lumbar spine.  But people come in different shapes and sizes, and a fixed chair cannot accommodate this.

Adjustable Support for One Axis  -  These are chairs that adjust in the lower back area where in the curve.  Usually the curve can be lowered or raised.

Adjustable Support for Two Axes  — These chairs have adjustable lower back curvature in two directions  - The curve can be lowered and raised and the depth can be adjusted as well.

Adjustable Asymmetric Support - Seating in this category provide optimal adjustability and comfort.  With these chairs the user can adjust not only the height of the lumbar curve, but also the support on each side independently. Combined with armrests that can be adjusted up and down, this support removes most of the strain that occurs when the chair isn’t the right fit for the person. Arm rests can reduce some of the back strain, but should be used occasionally.  If the armrests are not in the correct position for the user, elbow and forearm injuries can result.

Armrest Adjustment

Adjustable Front-to-Back  Armrests – People of different heights and performing different tasks will require armrests in different places.  Armrests that are fixed can interfere with movement at the desk, and also be in the way when someone reaches, resulting in stress-reaching.  This can cause the worker to sit on the front edge of the chair for long periods of time, which can cause stress injuries to the back.  To eliminate this, armrests that adjust front to back, or can pivot around will greatly improve comfort.

Pivot and Width Adjustment  - In order to accommodate people of different sizes, it is necessary to offer armrests that can move in or out , and pivot around.  With fixed armrests, a very large person will be squeezed from too narrow seating, and a very small person will need to reach out unnaturally to use the armrests.  A 360° pivot is ideal, and allows the person to move armrests at will, when they change tasks.  Being able to move the armrests in or out to fit the user’s size will also improve comfort.

When shopping for the best ergonomic office or desk chair, consider the following desirable features:

- Lumbar support should be adjustable in two directions – up-down, and on either side

- Armrests should have height, width and pivot adjustability

- The seat depth should be adjustable by 3”

- The seat should have forward tilt

Special tasks may require different seating, such as lab or drafting stools which sit higher then task or executive chairs, and must have a footrest (footring) for the user’s feet.  Very large people should use chairs that are made for 350-500lb weight.  These chairs should include the same ergonomic adjustability as an office chair.


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For a reduced cost you can get the multi-function Elusion Mid-Back Mesh chair for the entire office and improve your chair and work days. This chair is a smart choice for your office desk seating.

The Elusion Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair is available in black and its ergonomic design adjusts to fit multiple users. The mesh back is cool and breathable, and the contoured seat cushion with waterfall edge helps to relieve pressure on legs.

The arms are height- and width-adjustable arms with soft polyurethane pads, and the back is height adjustable.  This chair is also equipped with tilt tension and tilt lock, a pneumatic seat height adjustment and five-star base with casters for easy mobility.

With adjustable arms, back height adjustment, tilt tension and tilt lock and a great price, this chair is a smart choice for your ergonomic office.

Now from MagnoliaOffice.com at http://www.magnoliaoffice.com/Elusion_Mesh_Mid_Back_Swive...