Lower back pains are common among most people that work at the office. But it is more common among those that sit in the office the whole day. Well, these people are not being idle, but they do work as they sit in their office chairs.
However, that is not the only cause of lower back pain. If your office chair doesn’t have enough support, you will most likely develop back pains.
But specifically, what does that mean? We will be discussing that in this post.
Why is the Office Chair Causing Back Pains?
There are many reasons that lead to back pains when you are seated in your office chair. Here is a look at some of the reasons;
Sitting without breaks
One of the reasons for the back pains while at work is because you are sitting in your office chair for a long time without breaking. Does that mean breaking and taking a nap while still in the seat? Certainly not.
What this means is that you are sitting in the chair, and you don’t even stand to stretch. As a result, you will develop some back pains.
But if you’d take some breaks to go to the bathroom, walk around the office, or even go down the street to have lunch, it would reduce the back pains. Ideally, ensure that you break after every 60 minutes to stretch or walk around the office. This will lessen the possibility of developing back pains.
Inadequate back support
The reason you are having those back pains is that your office seat is not designed with good back support. The regular office chair will lack back support, which is why most people develop lower back pains.
You see, when you seat down, the lumbosacral discs at the base of the spine will be loaded three times more than when you are standing on your feet. So, if the chair lacks enough support for the spine, the lower back will strain from holding up the spine.
As a result, you will develop lower back pains. The chair, in this case, lacks enough support for the lower back.
Sitting posture
Sometimes, you might have a decent office chair, which can offer some support to your back. However, the sitting posture will determine if you will develop the back pain or not.
For example, if you sit and shift your weight forward in your chair, it will increase the stress on the soft tissue, discs, and joints. In turn, this will lead to muscle tension and back pain.
Fixed Chair Height
The height of the chair is another aspect that affects the back when you sit. It is typically similar to the back support but from a different angle.
When the height of the chair is long enough, it allows you to sit comfortably. But, this also lets you enjoy better support. Your spine will be aligned in a straight position and you will experience fewer back pains.
When you can adjust the height of the chair, it helps to change the angle of the hip joint as you sit. In turn, this angle will change the position of the pelvis, as well as the curve degree in your lower back. It can also help to align your spine perfectly.
Furthermore, the height of the chair will affect the hamstrings, psoas, and quadriceps muscles. These three muscle groups play a major role in the back pains that are related to the posture.
The Solution
Yes, you can lessen the back pains by walking around the office, changing the chair height, and even sitting in the right position. However, the most suitable solution here is to find a good office chair with the right features.
For example, the Duramount Office Chair is one of the best office chairs out there that has been designed to offer the best back and spine support.
What Should You Look in a Good Office Chair?
If you want to enjoy an office chair without experiencing any back pain and enjoy comfort to the fullest, here are some of the things you need to look out for:
- Adjustable height. This helps you to customize the height according to how tall you are. Remember to set the chair’s height based on the length of your legs.
- Adjustable seat depth. The seat depth that you select will be determined by the length of your upper leg bone (femur). Long upper leg bone will require more seat depth, while a short upper leg bone will require less seat depth.
- Tilt Back Rest. How do you prefer the backrest to be? Do you want it to lean back or you want it straight? A good office chair should be able to recline to 120-130 degrees to allow you to lean back and stretch. You won’t have to stand up when you have this type of chair.
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Armrests. The chair should have armrests for supporting your forearm, the forearm should be parallel to the floor, and the elbow should bend at 90 to 100 degrees.
- Cushioning. The chair must have good cushioning. Ideally, go for soft leather, which should also be breathable enough to prevent excessive sweating. When you sweat too much, it will make you uncomfortable.
- Mobility. The seat should be able to move easily around, which allows you to move within the office or desk without the need for standing up.
- Back support. Generally, the office chair must have enough back support to prevent any lower back pain.
- Headrest. An office chair that comes with a headrest will help to not only promote your comfort level but also prevent any neck pains. When you rest the head on the rest, it relieves the pressure on the neck hence giving you enough rest.
Always ensure that the chair you choose has all the necessary ergonomic features. Remember that your sitting posture will still matter even when you have a good ergonomic chair. Always follow the right tips to help you reduce and avoid back pain in the office.
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