Keeping the spine healthy requires periodic changes in posture, and dynamic movement helps to promote circulation and reduce muscle fatigue. Sitting in any static posture for a prolonged period eventually will become uncomfortable. This means that there isn't a fixed posture that's best for everyone, all of the time, whatever the task at hand. Rather, there is a desirable range of movement that works well for most people doing most of the kinds of tasks performed when sitting.
The preferred way of sitting includes the following:
· Make sure that the seat height is correctly adjusted so that your feet are on the ground or on a solid surface like a good footrest.
· Recline back in the chair, with the chair backrest angled between 100-110-degrees, so that the chair back can help support the weight of the torso.
· Make sure that the chair has good lumbar support in the right area for your shape and size of back. If there is an adjustable support, use this to get the best position.
· Make sure that the seat pan is the right size for you and doesn't press behind your knees.
· Look for a chair that doesn't tip up the seat pan when you recline because this can put pressure under the thighs and behind the knees.
· If the chair has arms, make sure that these are correctly adjusted for height so that your shoulders are relaxed, not hunched or raised when you rest on the armrests.
· If the chair has a high neck/headrest make sure that this can be used in different sitting positions.
· Remember to take breaks and move around to change posture.
10 Key Purposes to Healthy Seating
· To rotate the pelvis forward
· To extend the spinal column
· To distribute weight evenly through the spinal column
and soft tissue structure ofthe back
· To open up the diaphragm and allow full breathing function
· To un constrict the lower abdomen and aid digestion
· To aid and assist blood circulation around the body
· To provide the user with the full range of body movement
· To ensure that muscle tone is maintained by exercising the muscles
· To ensure that all parts of the body can move independently
· To aid efficiency by ensuring that the user is comfortable and relaxed
