work from home set up with ergonomic chair
Ergonomics

7 Health Benefits of Ergonomic Chairs

lWhy Ergonomic Chairs are so Important in the Office

woman sitting on office chair

If you work in an industry where your job requires you to sit for prolonged periods of time, ergonomically designed chairs are essential. The right kind of chair will help prevent an array of dangerous health hazards, setting you up to put your best foot forward into a healthy and productive life.

What happens if you sit the whole day? Without an ergonomic chair, your hip flexors will shorten, and the position you sit in will put harmful pressure on your back and hips, leading to bad posture and a strained neck. Bad posture provokes the discs in your spine to compress, leading to premature degeneration and chronic pain.

Thankfully, ergonomically designed chairs know how harmful sitting can be to your health, and are here to counter the damage with scientifically-proven benefits. What are the benefits of sitting in an ergonomic chair?

 

Ergonomic Chairs: A List Of Benefits

1. Corrects Your Posture

Your posture affects more than just your appearance – it can influence the health of your body’s organs and muscles. When your sitting posture isn’t great, your body may not function correctly. Your kidneys, heart, lungs, digestive system, and even your brain could suffer. This is why it is so important that your chair is fitted correctly, using ergonomics, to keep your posture optimal and corrected. Improved posture from sitting in an ergonomically designed chair instead of a typical office chair will have a comprehensive sweeping positive effect on all other areas of your body and mind, so that is why it is first on this list, and so important to remember.

 

2. Reduces Risk of Back Pain

lumbar support on chair

Each year, 50% of all working adults report having back pain symptoms. A properly fitted ergonomic chair will remedy this widespread issue, as the adjustable lumbar area provides the proper brace to keep your back well supported, and comfortable. No matter your personal height or shape, an ergonomic chair will be perfectly customizable to your specific measurements, so that your back is kept relaxed while you work without pain.
 

3. Diminishes Neck Strain


When looking down at your keyboard or phone screen, your head goes through a variety of motion that causes tension and strain throughout your neck and shoulders. Over time, this muscle wear and tear leads to headaches, stiffness, and soreness. Unfortunately, there is no way around these repeated movements; your neck must constantly move as you type, and these activities are paramount in performing your daily tasks at work. There is, however, a solution to the pain. By investing in an ergonomic chair today, you won't have to deal with neck discomfort tomorrow.


4. Improves Blood Circulation

adjustable chair back

 

Not only does poor posture increase the risk of back pain, it also reduces circulation which results in tight tendons and ligaments, stiff joints, and swollen feet. A poorly fitting chair directly hinders circulation of blood to the rest of your body, which is why it is so important to invest in an ergonomic chair for your own health and wellbeing. Proper sitting posture improves blood flow to your brain and other vital organs. This doesn't just mean better memory retention––it means improved cognitive functions and increased metabolism as well. Ergonomics help to show just how strong the linkage between the body and mind truly is. Choosing to prioritize ergonomics in your furniture means prioritizing your health and wellness.
 

5. Relieves Pressure on Hips

back recline

Poor posture causes unnecessary stress on your hips and pelvis, leading to severe pain and inflammation. The worst part is that it’s often difficult to tell if your posture is causing your discomfort because most pains experienced in the hip area have a root cause elsewhere. Ergonomic furniture helps you to target your pains at the origin, improving your posture and sitting position to alleviate the typical extreme pressure placed on your hip and pelvic area, and leaving you feeling so much better for it.

 

6. Improves Mental Health

woman sitting on modern office chair

Your mental wellbeing while working is directly linked to how comfortable you are in your office. An unspecific chair will restrict breathing, aggravate your neck and shoulders, reduce spinal alignment, and even cause headaches. With an ergonomic chair, these problems are easily avoided and any discomfort felt by you is quickly remedied. The best-fitting ergonomically designed chair gives you maximum flexibility and mobility, and a sense of freedom and peace. Allowing your body to be at peace, no longer using so much energy to fit itself into unsuitable furniture, is when your mind can truly be focused, and you will be productive and feel fulfilled by your work.

 

7. Minimizes Chance of Developing Musculoskeletal Disorders

adjustable standing desk chair
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the risk of developing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, increases fourfold when sitting for extended periods of time. This is why it is paramount to invest in an ergonomic chair, so that you can adjust the components of your chair to align it so that your hands and wrists are at the ideal angle to avoid developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Join our community.

Sign up to receive updates

Recommended Posts

More about the author

Lily Cooper

Writer at RISEDESK

Lily is a Rotman Commerce student at the University of Toronto, and is the Creative Content Writer at Risedesk. Pursuing minors in English and Economics, Lily is also the Film and TV Representative at RCEM, and has a passion for journalism, literature, and entertainment.