Ergonomic chairs for chronic lower back pain can make a huge difference in a persons ability to work long hours sitting at a desk. A back injury from heavy physical labor or a strain from overzealous recreational activity can take a long time to heal, but the process can be helped by maintaining correct sitting posture. Many back problems are not the result of acute injuries, but result from long hours of sitting in a poorly designed chair while working at a desk. For both types of injuries, an ergonomic chair can speed the healing process and prevent further injuries.
Chronic lower back pain is common among office workers. This results from bad sitting posture, and the sedentary lifestyle of indoor work which leads to poor muscle tone in the abdomen and lower back. Weak muscles and poor posture put unnecessary strain on the disks in the spine, which can lead to muscle spasms and chronic lower back pain.
Well designed ergonomic chairs for chronic lower back pain should be part of design of every work station. A properly designed chair is adjustable to fit the workers body, so that legs, arms, neck, and the lower back are all kept in proper alignment to prevent injury. A few subtle lifestyle changes should also be required of workers to minimize chronic lower back pain.
A high quality ergonomic chair should be adjustable in several ways. The height of the seat should be placed at a level so that the workers elbows can be kept at a comfortable ninety degree angle with his hands resting on the desks work surface or computer keyboard. The backrest should be raised or lowered and moved front to back so that the lower back is given active support and the workers legs have room to move freely beyond the chair seat. If the correct seat height makes the workers legs too high so that circulation is impaired behind the thighs, she should use a low stool in front of her chair to rest her feet on.
To avoid neck strain, the computer screen should be at eye level so the workers head can be kept as level as possible while viewing ongoing work. The chairs armrests should be adjusted to give light support to the workers arms to relieve strain on her shoulders.
In addition to sitting in a properly adjusted ergonomic chair, a worker should be encouraged to get up and move throughout the day. Nobody should sit still at a desk for more than twenty five or thirty minutes at a time. Getting up and moving around the office, and walking up and down stairs instead of using the elevator, at frequent intervals will improve circulation and muscle tone, leading to reduced chronic back pain.
A combination of the proper office furniture and physical activities will reduce worker complaints of chronic lower back pain. Ergonomic chairs for lower back pain and an office culture that encourages physical activity will each contribute to long term employee health and productivity.
