Kneeling chairs promote correct posture and reduce strain on the lower back and hips. They mimic a standing posture and distribute weight between the hips and shins. They are ergonomic and can be helpful for those with constant lower back pain. However, they may not be suitable for those with poor upper body posture or shin splints.
A kneeling chair is a type of chair that produces a more correct postural position in the lower back when you need to work for long periods at a time while sitting. A kneeling chair is considered ergonomic. Ergonomics is a field that studies the positions in which people sit or stand, or the repetitive movements people make while performing actions. Ergonomically designed products such as the kneeling chair are intended to reduce injury and strain on muscle groups.
Regular chairs tend to keep your back at an awkward angle and can lead to back strains or injuries when you have to sit for long periods of time. The kneeling chair is designed to mimic a posture similar to that of a standing one. Part of this posture is achieved by leaning the seat forward about 30 degrees. The inclined seat causes the spine to be positioned in what is called “neutral,” or similar to the position a person with good posture would assume while standing.
A bar in front of the kneeling chair, which prevents the knees from sliding forward, reduces some of the weight of sitting on the lower back and hips. The lower legs are under the body, with the shins resting on a support under the hips. The kneeling chair doesn’t actually support the weight on the knees, but instead distributes the load between the hips and shins.
The kneeling chair is very appealing to some who find that using this type of chair helps eliminate stress on the lower back. Those with poor upper body posture may not find the same benefit since the chair has no backrest and will not correct the curvature. Those with shin splints may be made uncomfortable by the weight arising on the shins in the kneeling chair.
Others find the kneeling chair a bit limiting since once upon a time you can’t change positions while sitting. Also, some coordination is required to get in and out of the chair on your knees because you have to negotiate the support in front of your knees, as well as the pad that supports your shins. You have to get off this type of chair and the first attempts can cause stumbling.
For those with constant pain in the lower back, however, the kneeling chair can be a significant help. If the lack of ability to change positions is difficult, you might spend part of the day using a kneeling chair and other parts using a standard office chair. Even part of the day spent in a chair on your knees can lead to better posture than in a traditional chair.
Kneeling chairs are now widely available in office supply stores and on the Internet. Many companies have turned to this new variant to reduce the days when workers can call in sick due to back pain.
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