The significance of maintaining good back health increases with age. Maintaining proper posture is the best way to keep your back healthy. Your posture is especially crucial when seated in a chair. Avoid leaning forward or sitting cross-legged; keep your back straight and your buttocks against the backrest. To accomplish this, you must select a “chair” that fits you properly. We will now examine how to choose a chair that can support the health of your back.
When Adjusting the Height
Of course, everyone is different in height. For this reason, the chair’s height matters. It is a good idea to select a chair with adjustable features. The chair’s height should be suitable for maintaining an angle greater than 90 degrees between the calves and thighs. Lower back strain is lessened, and blood circulation is enhanced when the chair is raised to a position where the legs are flat on the floor. The knees and hips should be at the same height or slightly higher.
The Seat Depth Must Also Align with Your Thigh Length
Another crucial factor is the seat’s depth. Placing your lower back on the backrest will be challenging if the seat is too deep. However, the chair won’t adequately support your thighs if it is too shallow. As a result, selecting a product that enables you to modify the seat’s depth is advised. The distance between the front of the seat and the back of your thighs should be around 2 cm (0.78 inches). If the seat depth is incorrect, the pressure on your lower back will be more than twice as high as in proper posture.
It’s Best if the Backrest Can Move Flexibly
The more firmly the backrest is fixed, the less expensive the chair and the simpler its function. A chair that naturally tilts in response to a person’s movement is better for the back than one that is fixed. Muscle fatigue can be lessened with a chair that adjusts its back support based on the backrest’s movement. The strain on the back can be reduced by over 30% compared to a fixed chair. This feature is essential for people who spend much time sitting in a chair.
The Optimal Angle for the Backrest Is
Another crucial factor is the backrest’s angle. Lower back strain may result from chairs with a backrest angled at 90 degrees. The ideal backrest angle to safeguard the lower back is between 100 and 110 degrees. Products with left-and-right split backrests are also beneficial for lower back health. This is due to their ability to appropriately support the spine, making these products particularly helpful for people with scoliosis or other spinal disorders. Select a product with a backrest that supports the back if possible.
Armrests Are Also an Important Consideration
A chair’s armrests can lessen the strain on the spine. A chair with the right armrests can alleviate the strain on the spine by roughly 10%. It can also lessen shoulder fatigue. If a chair’s armrests cannot be adjusted in height, selecting one that will allow you to sit with your elbows at a 90-degree angle is advised. For instance, office chairs should have elbow heights roughly 5 cm below desk height.
The Headrest Should Support Your Head
Looking at the chair’s head is also beneficial. A head is unnecessary in many situations because you naturally bend down when working or studying at a desk. For this reason, many people like chairs without heads, but chairs with heads can make sitting less taxing. A chair with a backrest high enough to support your head is a good choice if you must select one without a headrest.
When Preparing for Long Sitting Sessions
The material of the chair should ensure proper ventilation. Chairs of poorly ventilated materials may not allow heat to escape properly when sitting for long periods. Especially in the summer, sitting on a chair can feel like a chore. Mesh materials enable smooth air circulation and prevent sweating when sitting for long periods, which will be comfortable.
Avoid Overly Soft Chairs
Everybody will have different preferences for chair firmness. While some people like a hard chair, others prefer a soft one that makes them feel as though they are buried in it. Avoiding overly soft chairs is the best course of action when buying one. This is because excessively soft chairs do not support your back. A hard chair is preferable to a soft chair, particularly when you must sit for extended periods. Selecting a chair with the appropriate cushioning and maximum stability is advised.
Utilize a Footrest
It is advised to buy a separate footrest if the chair’s height is not correctly adjusted and you put your feet down, which strains your back. In addition to helping you maintain proper posture, using a footrest can lessen the strain on your back and legs. Short people are particularly in need of a footrest. It is advised to use a footrest if you are short and your feet do not touch the ground.
For Children, Choose Chairs Without Wheels
For adults, a chair with wheels and a swivel feature is preferable. This is because when the body is twisted or moved, it does not unnecessarily strain the lower back. However, a chair without wheels might be preferable for kids. If the chair has wheels, the child may become distracted and risk shaking or falling. A chair that can support proper posture and distribute force evenly to all joints, including the spinal joints, is preferable for kids.
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