What is an ergonomic office chair?

A good ergonomic office chair, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), "provides necessary support to the back, legs, buttocks, and arms, while reducing exposures to awkward postures, contact stress, and forceful exertions." Ergonomic office chairs are designed to accommodate users for long periods of time in positions that will help to minimize stress and tension. One of the most common work-related injuries is lower back pain. An ergonomic office chair must provide adequate lumbar support to the user, which will often alleviate lower back pain. It is also very important to get up from your chair and take a break from sitting in the same, repetitive position. Do some stretching or walk to the water fountain and back. Anything to get the blood flowing and your muscles loosened will help.

An ergonomic office chair is a chair that promotes good posture and is designed to reduce strain on a number of pressure points for those working in office environments. The ergonomic office chair has only been developed as a true tool for the workplace since the 1980s. This type of office chair has become not only a comfort item, but a necessity for many who suffer from workplace hazards. While the office environment is not necessarily considered a dangerous workplace by many, it has its own set of hazards. Those hazards include sitting for long periods of time in positions that may not be the best for the body. Humans are not truly meant to sit for extended periods, such as the length required in office settings. Therefore, stress injuries can result. An ergonomic office chair can help by promoting proper posture. This can be especially helpful to those with certain health conditions, such as bad backs and hips. Therefore, an ergonomic office chair can help increase efficiency by ...  more

If you've ever gone to a dealer to purchase a new office chair, you may have heard the word “ergonomic”. If you don’t know what makes an office chair ergonomic, you need to read this article before buying your next one.  more