Working in a sitting position continuously for a long time will have an impact on the body. Several negative effects can occur if the arrangement of chairs and tables does not provide proper ergonomics, especially poor body posture. Bending over can strain the spine, causing back pain, neck pain, and discomfort.
Without proper chair support or inadequate lumbar support, you will sit in the wrong position, straining your back and neck muscles. If you keep doing the same thing over and over again, chronic pain will develop over time.
Ergonomic chairs are a form of support that is increasingly relevant in work environments full of sitting activities. However, what is an ergonomic chair and how important is it in the work environment?
What is an Ergonomic Chair?
Ergonomic office chairs are one type of work that is generally used in offices. This office chair has features that can be adjusted so that users can maintain good body posture and remain productive in their work.
The use of ergonomic office chairs has a positive impact on employee health and performance, meaning that ergonomic chairs are not just about a design trend. Ergonomic chair designs are specifically well thought out to provide optimal support for body posture and prevent health problems that may arise due to incorrect sitting positions.
The goal of ergonomic chair design is to reduce pressure on the spine, shoulders, neck, and other parts of the body. Ergonomic chairs have features that support their purpose, including adjustable back support, adjustable height, arm support, and comfortable materials.
Why Are Ergonomic Office Chairs Good For Office Workers?
Using an ergonomic office chair is very important to avoid the negative impacts that can result from sitting too long in a bad position. Here are some reasons why ergonomic office chairs are good for office workers:
1. Maintain Body Posture
Posture is something you need to worry about if you have a job that requires you to sit for hours. Your body posture may change if you sit in an office chair that is less ergonomic, making your body tend to bend forward because the chair you use is at a height that does not suit your back.
An ergonomic office chair can solve this problem. With a design aimed at maintaining the body’s natural posture, you can use it to help maintain and improve your posture.
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2. Spine Health
Apart from changes in body posture, sitting for long periods can also cause problems with spinal health. This happens because the spine is under significant pressure. Using an ergonomic office chair that has adequate support can help the natural curve of the spine, thereby preventing spinal health problems such as back pain and low back pain.
3. Reduces Pain
Neck pain and lower back pain are some of the abdominal pain most often felt by office workers. The cause is the use of office chairs that do not have support for them to sit for long periods while maintaining body posture. However, using an ergonomic office chair will provide relaxation to reduce body aches because points that easily get sore get the right support.
4. Improves Blood Circulation
Based on research on Blood Circulation in 2010, researchers revealed that sitting for one hour will increase the risk of heart disease, depression, back pain and poor blood circulation. As prevention, it is recommended to change your sitting position every 30 – 45 minutes.
The use of an ergonomic office chair can also play a role in improving blood circulation, and oxygen flow, and can improve cognitive function because it has support to maintain a good sitting position, thereby reducing the chance of developing disease or other health problems.
5. Increase Productivity
Ergonomic office chairs not only have a positive impact on health but also have a big impact on productivity at work. The ergonomic design of office chairs provides support to employees as it makes them comfortable while working and minimizes health problems. This happens because if someone feels comfortable and has no complaints about pain due to sitting for too long, then they can focus more on completing work.
6. Equipped with Convenience Features
Chairs that have an ergonomic design aim to provide appropriate comfort and support for the body, especially the back, neck, and arms. The ergonomic design can maintain natural body posture well to reduce muscle tension and pain.
The support for ergonomic chair design is the presence of features that can be adjusted to individual needs and preferences. These features include seat height adjustment, arm support, waist support, and tilt mechanism.
7. Injury Prevention
Ergonomic office chairs can prevent possible injuries by providing proper support for a neutral sitting position. Some injuries that can be prevented by using an ergonomic office chair are strains, sprains, and other injuries. If injuries can be prevented, conditions resulting from injuries such as bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis will not arise.
8. Long-Term Health Investment
Using an ergonomic office chair means you are investing in long-term health. If you can maintain good posture, it will reduce tension in the body, thereby preventing the risk of pain, injury, or other health problems. The use of ergonomic chairs also encourages healthy sitting habits which have a positive impact on health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
How to Choose an Ergonomic Office Chair?
Choosing an ergonomic office chair is the right step to maintain health while working and maximize productivity. You can apply the following tips to choose an ergonomic office chair.
1. Choose By Size and Height
It is important to consider the size and height of the chair according to individual needs considering that everyone has different body sizes and heights.
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2. Has Flexible Height
An ergonomic chair means it has a height-adjustable feature, which is very good for achieving comfort and optimal levels of productivity.
3. Choose Based on Budget
Choosing an ergonomic office chair also requires considering your budget. You don’t need to worry about sleeping, because ergonomic chairs are available in high quality at affordable prices.
In conclusion, ergonomic office chairs play an important role in increasing comfort, and productivity, and maintaining overall body health to prevent injury and disease.