One of the questions I am asked most frequently by clients who suffer with pain whilst working is: “What sort of chair should I get?” And the answer, I respond with – “Is your chair really the problem?”
There is no doubt that a chair or more specifically the set-up of a chair can be a contributing factor to one’s experience of pain whilst working, but in my experience rarely is it the sole cause. So before you go out buy a new chair, thinking that it will solve all your problems, I want you to think again.
Ask your yourself these questions:
- Is my chair set-up correctly and adjusted for my specific needs?
- Is the chair I am sitting on being used for the purpose for which it was designed?
- How long am I sitting for each day?
- How frequently do I take breaks from sitting during my workday?
- Am I sitting at my desk during my breaks?
- How often do I change position during the workday?
- How is my sitting posture?
The human body was designed for movement not static positions. Movement = Comfort. Sitting for prolonged periods is not good for your body, your energy levels, your productivity or your long term health. So before you open up your wallet and spend big on a new chair, consider changing the way you work and how you use your body at work. Once you have done these things, then evaluate if your chair is still really the problem or just part of it…
Here’s to your Work Health Wellness.
Cheers, Cath
P.S. If you haven’t already got your FREE copy of the How to Manage Your Pain at Work Checklist, you can get yours here.
P.P.S. Ready to change the way you work? Then you know we need to talk! Click here to get your FREE 20 minute consult.