Office chairs, backs, ergonomics and lumbar support and why they all work
Office chairs do not really require a back support to function properly. The spine is able to maintain its natural curvature even without the lower back support provided by the back of an average office chair. However, the natural tendency of most people when sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time is to hunch forward on what they are concentrating on.
This slouched posture pushes the lower back outward, causing the natural inward curve to point in the wrong direction. With the spine pushing into the chair, the lower back structure is tightened, creating unnecessary strain. It was obvious that we all needed to be reminded to sit correctly and lower back supports for office chair backs were born.
Some manufacturers still make amazingly ergonomic models of chairs without any back support such as the Swopper stool which helps train the individual to sit correctly and position their body correctly instead of waiting for the chair to do all the work. No matter how ergonomic the chair is, as with any health product, it still needs to be used correctly to work properly. An ergonomic chair does not help at all when used incorrectly, it is the position of the seat that really matters and how you use the mechanisms that matters for the health of your body.
When positioned correctly, good lumbar back support should keep your ears, shoulders, and hips aligned, which in turn maintains the natural inward curve of your lower spine. In general, the lumbar support should keep the spine in a very natural position, without accentuating the inward curve too much and without leaving it totally unsupported.
Most portable lumbar support pillows that are built for use with office chairs are shaped with one end different from the other and also need to be positioned correctly where needed to maintain proper spinal posture. If your ergonomic office chair has a built-in support piece, it’s important to test it to see if the chair fits your body type well. Not all chairs and supports are built to fit one size and everyone’s back is a little different when it comes to positioning and the downward curve of the neck.
Some ergonomic office chair models come with adjustable lumbar support which can be key for some people when it comes to getting the right fit. The backrest should be positioned so that the curve of the lower spine rests against the curve of the chair’s back. Some offices require the same office chair to be used by a variety of employees and this level of lumbar support adjustment can help everyone sit comfortably.
When sitting for long hours in front of the computer, it doesn’t help to ignore the ergonomics and posture of the office chair if one tends to sit in the same chair and keep working. Comfort ability can greatly contribute to overall performance and productivity. By sitting well, the health of the body will be greatly improved and one will notice less back pain and tension and thank office chairs for the birth of lumbar support.