http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/posture-knee-office-chairs-and-how-they-can-help-your-back-at-work.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/posture-knee-office-chairs-and-how-they-can-help-your-back-at-work.html Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0600
Posture Knee models are fast becoming popular as people spend more and more time in front of the computer. America is starting to see epidemic problems with back pain, carpal tunnel and various work related injuries due to all of this sitting in front of a workstation for longer periods of time.

Kneeling chairs are used differently then the standard task office chair with a typical seat and back. The kneeling chair models are used while sitting in position with your thighs dropped to an angle of about 60 to 70 degrees from the standard vertical. When sitting in a normal chair your posture would be more 90 degrees overall with your upper thighs 90 degrees from your lower leg and your upper torso 90 degress from your upper thighs.

This would be the posture while sitting in a normaloffice chair. This posture no matter how ergonomic requires some of your body weight to be supported by your shins putting a strain, however small, on your spine. When seated for long periods of time, a small strain can become a large problem eventually.

The designs of these chairs, wanted to correct the body’s ergonomic posture to essential “open up” the angle of the body between the thigh and spine to retain the curvature of the back and keep the body in a more slightly reclined posture. Studies show that even in the standard office chair, a person should stay or lock their chair in a slightly reclined posture to maintain this lumbar curvature.

Even though the term “kneeling” is often used due to the appearance of the person when seated in a posture knee model, a person is actually still sitting and bearing of the main body weight is really not placed on the knees at all. Some doctor’s have started recommending posture knee chairs for people with certain injuries or even diseases of the backbone or knees due to the extra benefit and lumbar support this positioning enables.

When seated in a posture knee chair, the body is really in a position which is between that of a person sitting or standing and keeps the curvature of the spine at a very realxed “place” and many people seem to be trying and loving this new mode of sitting at the workstation.

History:

Invented in Norway in the 1970’s the kneeling chairs seemed to stress finding a design that rid the problem of strain placed on a person’s spine when seated in the conventional right angled task computer chair.

One of the first designers was Hans Christian Mengshoel, who used experiments with different types of sitting devices which placed support under a person’s shins. Furniture designers Peter Opsvik, Oddvin Rykken, and Svein Gusrud followed suit, each developing their own version of the posture knee chair to promote.


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Author Amy Pedersen has worked in the ergonomics and office furniture industry for a number of years and currently acts as principal and operator of various ergonomic websites dedicated to office chairs and workplace ergonomics. Featuring a wide variety of executive, leather, mesh and task office chairs with an online sales catalog while also providing detailed ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.
Sit On This Ergonomics:
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That day I compared many different task chairs and started to separate them out into groups in order to arrange them by features, mechanisms and colors. Having worked in the office industry for many years now, I was used to having to actually “get down to the basics” of an office chair because while they all may look alike, looks can be deceiving. We were currently liquidating an office that was closing and consigning the furniture online for the owners and I marveled at the differences once seated in these chairs.

For example, I took 4 Herman Miller Task Chairs that were up for sale and wrote up a bio on each and of course, took a seat. One of the models was the exact chair that I currently am sitting in at my current workspace and while coincidental, was of course my favorite seat on the warehouse. It was little different in appearance from the other three task seats sitting next to it. All four chairs were upholstered in Burgundy cotton fabric with adjustable arms and rolling casters. All had three levers and a tension knob and although slightly different, looked relatively the same.

However, all of these levers came with a different purpose and it was up to the user to determine which features best suited his or her needs. The everyday medical technician has different ergonomic needs than the average computer programmer and the same can be said for the body positions needed for different tasks and work situations.

For me, spending far too many hours in front of the computer per day and typing away, I require a chair with a very relaxed tilt mechanism that moves with my body, allowing the seat back to move independently from the seat itself and keeping my feet firmly on the floor.

This type of chair with the height adjustments needed for me to be comfortable was perfect in reminding me to keep good posture, which is key for good ergonomics and long-term body health. It is essential to keep in mind that an office chair cannot help you to keep your body healthy, no matter how high end, it is your body that needs to sit properly in order to stay healthy and keep your muscles and back from aching.

For other professions where the positioning is changing constantly throughout the day and mobility is necessary, this may not be the correct chair. When picking your new task office chair, make sure that you consider what you will be using it for the most and for which tasks in order to make sure to get a chair that will fit your comfort ability and enable you to be healthy and productive in the workplace.



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Author Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

Sit On This Ergonomics:
http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Other Articles by this Author: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Pedersen


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/sitting-in-an-office-chair-for-long-periods-can-cause-back-problems-unless-seated-correctly.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/sitting-in-an-office-chair-for-long-periods-can-cause-back-problems-unless-seated-correctly.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
If all employees were able to focus more on their posturing and positioning while seated at work, they would be able to save themselves from long term back problems, carpal tunnel and other such workplace injuries and save their employers from long term medical bills.

Recently, most ergonomists have seem focused on defining the correct postures which, when used in the workplace and sitting in the average office chair, can minimize the forces that are acting on the body. It was as early as the 18th century that doctors took note of the fact that some workers had tasks which required them to maintain the same body position for periods of time that were not wise.

In the last 10-20 years of the computer and technology age with all of us sitting for longer periods, research has been able to clearly establish a connection between job tasks and repetitive stress injuries, or as they are also known as RSI's.

Even a comfortable position requires some musculoskeletal effort and some tasks require much more. Let's take an example such as the standard computer programmer stuck in front of the monitor for hours at a time just trying to work out the code. This requires the body to keep the head and torso upright requiring either small or great amounts of effort to hold depending upon the actual efficiency of the actual position we choose to sit in.

Everyone would significantly reduce our risk of injury if we could adhere to some basic ergonomic rules. Mainly we should try to remember that all workplace activities should be done with the joints at about mid-point of their range of movement and no more to minimize strain on muscles and constant force acting upon our bodies.

This range of motion applies to both the head and trunk as well as the upper arms. Try to remember that all work activities should allow the worker to adopt different but equally safe postures.



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Author Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

Sit On This Ergonomics:

http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

More Ergonomic Info:

http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Ergonomic-Positioning-Explained.html

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/office-chairs-although-they-may-look-the-same-the-differences-are-important.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/office-chairs-although-they-may-look-the-same-the-differences-are-important.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Some people complain about the curvature of some guest side or reception lounge chairs at some office environments, finding themselves uncomfortable in minutes.

It is definitely true that some chairs can feel a lot more comfortable than others. Some chairs make it a snap to maintain a healthier upright posture, while others can stand between you and good ergonomics.

We need to remember however, that it is our body that sits in a chair, and in order to improve on our own comfort ability, our attention should be focused on improving our own functioning and what we do with our body when we sit down.

So what advice can I give regarding posture and the standard task office chair? First, I would recommend very simple, basic type designs with fairly flat and firm seatpans and with backs to not force your torso into any particular shape.

I would also recommend good back support and a good tilt mechanism for proper reclining and motion while moving throughout the tasks of your day. But, you need to remember that you cannot look to your chair as the primary solution to poor posture. It’s your posture that needs to learn how to change itself.


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Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

Sit On This Ergonomics:
http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

More Ergonomic Info:
http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Ergonomic-Positioning-Explained.html


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/in-america-back-pain-is-epidemic-office-chairs-and-seating-play-a-role.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/in-america-back-pain-is-epidemic-office-chairs-and-seating-play-a-role.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
This sort of sitting can force the body into a slumped or “c” shaped position putting uneven pressure on the vertebral disks and muscles of the lower back. With time and being seated in your office chair over long periods each day, the spine can become deformed and erode disks, making it hard to retrain to the proper posture for sitting.

In America, back pain is epidemic. Costing us billions each year, aside from the common cold, back pain or injury from workplace conditions or office chairs of some sort keeps more employees away from work than any other single cause.

Evidence from many different cultures shows us that seating and the practice of sitting has been associated with numerous issues. Back pain of all sorts, fatigue, varicose veins, muscle stress, problems with the diaphragm, digestion and body development have all been associated with improper positioning when seated for long periods of time.

People in some third world countries never use chairs but instead sit on the ground or floor. This type of sitting, known as ‘autonomous’ sitting, or sitting upright without back support is not easy. Sitting up straight has to be forced, and is hard to maintain and train the body to habitually remember to do. .

Trying to stay seated correctly in your standard task office chair can be challenging. The solution lies in re-educating your own body to move the way it was designed to move. Simply by using your body properly, the ‘autonomous’ sitting position can be regained and retrained into your memory with little effort. .

Tips for Practicing Good Posture for Your Office Chair

**Practice sitting without back support, start with a few minutes and gradually work up.
**Try to use the furniture in your house and office which allows you to be seated without back support.
**When you feel tired and begin to slump, lay down a few minutes to regain energy.
**Replace sitting when ever possible. Reclining is one of the best positions for reading or speaking on the phone.
**Take a break from sitting at least once an hour.


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Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

Sit On This Ergonomics:
http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

More Ergonomic Info:
http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Ergonomic-Positioning-Explained.html



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/office-chairs-and-ergonomic-tips-to-position-your-seat-for-productivity-in-the-workplace.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/office-chairs-and-ergonomic-tips-to-position-your-seat-for-productivity-in-the-workplace.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Some employees can spend most of their day simply seated in front of their computer in an office chair completing the daily tasks. Knowing how to properly position your executive office chair can lead to better productivity in the workplace and of course, a much happier you and hopefully a much happier boss. Ergonomics and good positioning of your executive or task seat can prevent fatique and discomfort as well as promote circulation and good body health.

Lumbar Support

Proper Lumbar Support, preferably with adjustment features for postioning, is important to your spine. Most task or executive office chairs come with some sort of lumbar support. To be truly ergonomic, you need to have an adjustment feature on this support mechanism in order to position it to your spine. When properly used a good lumbar support can ensure that your spine and pelvis get exceptional, continuous support.

Reclined Positioning

The slightly reclined position is always the best position to stay in, sit back and relax. When pressure is applied to the back of your office chair, it should recline easily and fluidly, minimizing muscle strain. Moving while you work is healthy and the slightly relcined position is the best for the least back strain. This angle enhances circulation to your extremities, so your lower body and legs don't become quickly fatiqued.

Tilt Mechanism

A tilt mechanism with tension control and locking points is recommended. Some tasks require you to stay in one position for a period of time and locking points on the tile mechanism can help to remind yourself to keep the chair in that slightly reclined position and sit back and realx. Make sure to sit back in your Office Chair throughout the day, trying not to lean forward and lessening the pelvic and strain on your vertebrae.

Upholstery for Your Seat

Breathability and durability of the fabric is important when seated for long hours, make sure the upholstery is right for your needs and environment. Some fabrics and mesh materials when seated for long periods should help maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature that enhances both comfort and productivity. Other leather and vinyl upholsteries, while popular and look nice, can be hard to work in for hours at a time.

Foot Placement

Make sure your feet are flat and firmly on the floor. Some users will require a foot rest or mat while others will simply need to adjust the seat height to get the correct distance from the floor. The proper angle when viewed from the side is ninety degrees. In example, your lower legs are at a ninety degree angle from your upper thigh and your upper body is ninety degrees from your upper thigh. Keeping your feet flat will help keep this position and maintain good blood flow.

Workstation Heights

Keeping your workstation, computer monitor, keyboard tray and mouse all at the appropriate heights and distances are also important to good ergonomics.The top of your monitor should be at or below the normal vision line. Saving your neck from constantly being put in the wrong postition will save you from many back problems later on. Making sure to keep your eyes the recommended manufacturer distance from the computer monitor is also important. Make sure that your wrists are relaxed and are positioned parallel with the ground in a neutral position.Also make sure to adjust the height of the seat so that your elbows are just at or above the keyboard tray height.

Summary

Your daily movement is critical to your body health. The level of ease that you experience when changing positions correlates to how often you move througout the day. Keeping your chair in a healthy ergonomic position encourages movement, provides support and promotes a continuously healthy sit. Moving while you work is healthy, moving while correctly positioned is even better and ideally you should continue to work for long periods of time in your office chair easily and naturally.



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Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

Sit On This Ergonomics:
http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

More Ergonomic Info:
http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Choosing-Your-Office-Chair.html


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