It’s a sitting situation – Part 1 of 3

Snowflakes

IT workers are like snowflakes: no 2 are alike. Everyone is shaped differently and works differently. So, when it comes to your chair, you have to pick the one that’s right for you. Test drive different varieties before you choose an ergonomic chair. Think about the tasks you will be performing when you’re seated. Rediscover and re-evaluate your environment. Is everything within reach? Is your set-up optimal?  Take the time to do this thoroughly; you’ll be working in that chair for a long time to come.

System Failure

Sitting at an improperly designed workstation can contribute to a physical system failure everything from carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries to back/neck pain, headaches, and, over time,  even more serious medical problems.

Decisions, Decisions

There are many options out there for an ergonomic chair: do you need a knee tilt mechanism (great for multi-tasking), how far back do you need the chair to go (it often depends on your height & weight); do you want armrests, fabric or leather, etc.?  Take time to decide.

Caveat Emptor

Not all ergonomic chairs are created equal: there are a lot of fakes.  Companies claim their chairs are ergonomic for the flimsiest of reasons. If it’s in your budget, get a brand-name recommendation from a physiotherapist, but shop around and be careful.

Body Spam

‘So what?’ you say, ‘My chair’s good enough.’ Is it really? A small amount of discomfort is like your body sending you spam: it clutters up your brain and prevents you from concentrating on the tasks at hand.  Especially if it’s the small unnoticed type of pain as opposed to the ‘OW! I smashed my knee’ type of pain.

Try it You’ll like it!

Less pain = increased productivity, and an ergonomic chair will pay for itself fast. Take it into consideration and remember to try out different chairs first. Get recommendations, preferably from professionals. Internet MD recommends this website for buying tips: http://www.Ergonomic-Chair-Tips.com.

Talk, tweet and text to see what’s out there because you might not need a chair after all.