The Countless Benefits of the Kneeling Chair
Long hours in work means long hours in an office chair for many of us. No matter how comfortable your chair may feel, it may not be doing you any favours when it comes to your back. Traditional chairs provide your back with full support - sounds good, right? - however, this means your core muscles aren’t doing a whole lot of work. Weak core muscles often result in poor posture and whilst giving your muscles a bit of a “workout” at the office doesn’t sound tempting, engaging the right muscles for sitting is a small price to pay for improved posture and less back pain.
So what’s the best course of action? You can stand, or you could wobble around sitting on an inflated exercise ball – but we’ve got a better solution.
The Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
This item has been specifically designed to help improve posture whilst working at a desk. Aligning the body in ways that maximise support, free up pressure points and increase general comfort, it is championed by osteopaths and chiropractors alike. More comfortable than standing (although alternating with standing is recommended), the ergonomic kneeling chair is a wonderful piece of office furniture for anyone struggling with seated positions for extended periods of time.
Kneeling chairs trace back to ancient Buddhist traditions when long meditation sessions would be taken using pillows and benches to create a comfortable kneeling position. The modern-day kneeling chair was created at the end of the 1970’s and has been scientifically proven to improve spinal positioning. The benefits don’t stop there. Improved breathing, circulation and flexibility are all results of the adjustment to your seated position.
Before we go on, we understand your hesitation. Work can be consuming enough without having to worry about your sitting position. Though, you should take into account that your physical state influences your mental state and vice versa. So making an adjustment to how you sit will have a knock-on effect that could benefit your concentration and productivity, which is often overlooked.
The Benefits
Back Pain Relief
The kneeling chair reduces lower back pain by distributing the body's weight more evenly.
Posture Improvement
Straightening your spine and strengthening core muscles over time leads to a healthier sitting position.
Comfort
One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about kneeling chairs is that it causes discomfort in the knees. Despite its name, kneeling chairs divide the weight between your spine, thighs and your shins.
Increased Productivity
Poor posture can lead to fatigue, discomfort and loss of productivity. By keeping the spine properly aligned, comfort and concentration are greatly increased.
If however you’d like to opt for the traditional office chair, keep in mind that all chairs are not created equal and having the right task chair is key to having good posture and avoiding back and neck pain. Read our article on choosing the right ergonomic chair here.
To see our chair range or to purchase an ergonomic kneeling chair with a five-year warranty, Office Furniture Warehouse has got your back.
