Office Chairs and existing back or neck problems

Sitting in office chairs for prolonged periods of time can cause or worsen an existing back or neck problem. When sitting in an office chair for a long period, the natural tendency for most people is to slouch over or down in the chair, and this posture will strain your spine and contribute to or exacerbate recurrent episodes of back or neck pain.

An ergonomic office chair is a tool that, when used properly, can help one maximise back support and maintain good posture whilst sitting. There are many types of ergonomic chairs available for use in the office. No one type is necessarily the best, but there are some things that are very important to look for in a good ergonomic office chair. At the Back Pain Centre Sunderland we have developed a a checklist for choosing the right ‘conventional’ office chair for you:

How to use your office chair

Simply owning an ergonomic office chair is not enough. You should adjust the chair to the specific proportions of your body to reduce aggravation of your spine. You should first establish the desired height of your work-area. You can then adjust the office chair to your physical proportions. Here are some important guidelines:

1. Elbow measure. Sit comfortably as close as possible to your desk so that your upper arms are parallel to your spine. Rest your hands on your work surface. If your elbows are not at a 90-degree angle, move your chair up or down.
2. Thigh measure. Ensure you can slide your fingers under your thigh at the front edge of the chair. If too tight, use an adjustable footrest. If there is more than a finger width between your thigh and the chair, raise the work surface so that you can raise your chair.
3. Calf measure. With your bottom against the back of the chair, try to pass your clenched fist between the back of your calf and the front of your chair. If you can’t do that easily, the chair is too deep. You will need to adjust the backrest forward, insert a low back support (e.g. lumbar support cushion), or get a new office chair.
4. Lower back support. Your bottom should be against the back of your chair, with a cushion that causes your lower back to arch slightly so that you don’t slump or slouch.
5. Resting eye level. Close your eyes whilst sitting comfortably. Slowly open your eyes. Your gaze should be aimed at the top of your computer screen. If your computer screen is higher or lower than your gaze, you need to adjust it to reduce neck strain.
6. Armrest. Adjust the armrest of the chair so that it just slightly lifts your arms at the shoulders. Using the armrest is important to take some of the strain off your neck and shoulders, and it should make you less likely to slouch forward in your chair.

‘SITTING FOR YOUR SPINE IS LIKE SUGAR FOR YOUR TEETH’!

Try to remember to stand, stretch and walk for at least a minute or two every 20-30 minutes. A twenty minute walk at lunchtime will help even more to ‘iron out’ the strain from sitting all day.

If you are ‘stuck’ with the office chair that you’ve already got we recommend you purchase a Therapeutica Back supports, for the following reasons:

If you would like more information on Therapeutica Back supports please ask at reception.

The information provided is for general guidance only and must not be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.