Office Chairs and Back Pain

Office Chairs and Back Pain

Generally, sitting on a chair for long periods can cause back pain due to the stress applied to the back which almost unaware can make us adopt a hunched position where we curve our back and neck to the front to release some pressure from the back. Most people spend most of their day sitting which makes back pain common. 

What happens when we sit in a slouched position is that the ligaments and muscles in the back and neck area are contracted so they can hold the weight of the spine and the head, this stress can produce pain after a while. In a long term, back and neck pain that is left untreated can lead to chronic conditions related to the irritation of the nerves.

How to Stop the Pain: Readjust or Change the Chair

In this context, it is crucial to have a good chair or a well-adjusted chair that provides the support that our spine needs to stay in the right posture for many hours.

Ideally, a good chair needs to comply with several parameters that allow you to sit with all your joints positioned forming 90 degrees angles. Starting by the legs, the height of the seat is a key aspect, you should adjust it so your legs can form a 90 degrees angle from the feet touching the floor until the bottom on the seat of the chair, not more, nor less. 

In the same way, one of the most relevant elements of the chair is the backrest. This should be adjusted to also form a 90 degrees angle with your legs and back. 

However, here there is something else to consider which is the shape of this part of the chair since the spine is not naturally straight but slightly curved towards the end. A good chair should like your spine to be slightly arched in this zone to provide enough support for your spine. Ergonomic chairs offer the option of adjusting this arch considering people’s different heights. In this context, height is something you should also consider when choosing an appropriate chair, it does not always work as one size fits all. 

Finally, another key detail of the chair to be considered is armrests, this should be placed in a way that your elbows bend forming another 90 degrees angle. 

Other than back pain we can also prevent other issues such as bad digestion, poor circulation, sleeping issues, headache, or soreness, and even tingling and numbness in other body parts that are affected by holding an incorrect posture for long periods. Taking active pauses from sitting for long hours can also be beneficial, many stretching exercises can help you look over your spine health.