The decision to invest in a high-quality office chair is one that should be easy for anyone who spends long periods of time working at their computer. Nearly every office has many tales of mysterious back pains that went away when a new chair was bought, and posture improved as a result. It isn't some form of magic, it is just common sense to make adjustments that suit your way of life.
If you were spending as much time on a hobby, you would ensure you had the correct protective equipment to avoid injuring yourself, and there is no reason why the same thinking shouldn't prevail when it comes to working needs.
What are the Benefits of a High-Quality Office Chair?
There are many benefits to be had from a high-quality office chair, ranging from increased comfort to health benefits such as vastly reduced back pain and better blood circulation. Many parts of the body can start to hurt when they are forced to maintain an unnatural position for an extended period of time, so it should come as no surprise that ergonomic chairs are better for your body as a whole.
Correct Posture
Chairs, which aren't explicitly designed to be used over a long period of time in an office environment, can be detrimental to your posture, and this can lead to several issues and ailments.
Lousy posture can render you more susceptible to back and spinal injuries and increased pain from general wear and tear. Specially designed office chairs that support your back and neck are generally height adjustable so that you can find the correct level of support you require.
When you find your proper posture, you will instantly start to feel better and can get through the working day with much lower levels of back pain than before. It can be a palpable relief to many, and they often wonder why it took them so long to take the plunge and buy an ergonomic chair.
Reduced Back Pain
Lower back pain is among the most common reasons to take time off work in many countries. An astonishing 12.5% of all sick days in the UK are attributed to back pain. This is obviously a severe problem for many people and shouldn't be neglected when the solution is potentially so simple to implement.
With the advent of more remote and hybrid working, many people will be working in environments that may not have access to ergonomic office chairs. This can potentially have a detrimental effect on the number of absences attributed to back pain in the future. It feels like we, as a society, are storing up problems in this regard and should take a serious look at addressing the issue once and for all.
If you work from home, you should ask your work if they will buy an ergonomic chair for your home office. Even if they are unwilling to do this, you should consider buying one for yourself, as it will be an investment in your long-term health and your short-term comfort.
Help with Neck Pain
As well as back pain, neck pain is another one of the issues that many people will experience when they use inappropriate seating when undertaking computer work all day. Neck pain often comes into play when people hunch over desks when their computer or screen isn't at the correct height for them to work comfortably. This can cause real problems and lead to a build-up of stress and pressure in the neck and shoulder area, which is hard to remove again.
Many people need to attend appointments with sports massage therapists to get the pain and stiffness in their neck and shoulders to dissipate to more comfortable levels. This can be an expensive solution compared to just buying a suitable chair in the first place.
Increased Blood Flow
When you have an ergonomic office chair, you will find that you have better blood circulation throughout your body, including your legs. This is something that some people struggle with when they use standard chairs for an extended period and often find that their legs tingle or swell through water retention.
This can be circumvented by ensuring that you only use appropriate chairs specifically designed to be used over a long working day. Other ways to help to increase blood flow include going for regular walks and ensuring that you take breaks when necessary.
Improved Productivity
When you don't have to think about painful parts of your body, you are free to concentrate on the tasks you need to complete. You will find that these can be completed much more efficiently when seated in a comfortable office chair designed for prolonged periods of sitting.
Working in ergonomic seating that helps to support your back and neck can make a real difference to your working life to the extent that you will wonder how you ever got anything done before buying one.
