Warning Signs
Sitting is hard on your body – it’s meant to be used, stretched and moved. Even though many of us spend a lot of time in a chair at a desk, it’s really not what our bodies were intended to do.
Most of us don’t give our office chairs a second thought. We slouch in them, hunch over computer screens, sit with one leg crossed over a knee, sit sideways and on and on. Even though many people may experience back, shoulder and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome or other issues because of this, the office chair isn’t the first thing that comes to mind as the culprit.
10 signs your chair is wrong for you
If you have experienced:
- Tingling or numbness, mainly in the hands or fingers
- Discomfort/pain in the neck, or upper or lower back or shoulders
- Pain in the fingers, wrists, or other parts of the body — dull ache, sharp stabbing pain or burning sensation
- Swelling, inflammation stiffness in the joints
- Loss of muscle function or muscle weakness
- Extremities turning white or feeling unusually cold
- Overall feeling of muscle tightness, cramping, or discomfort
- Clumsiness or loss of coordination
- Discomfort when making certain movements
- Loss of range of motion
- Fatigue – lack of concentration
All of these symptoms may be the result of poor ergonomics and poor posture.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics has been defined by the Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety ‘as the science of matching the job to the worker and the product to the user….including situations such as lifting, lighting, office/desk set up, etc. that may contribute to injury.’ (source: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/)
Poor ergonomics and posture can cause and exacerbate all of the physical symptoms listed here and cause damage to the spinal structure. The good news is that posture and ergonomics are something that can be changed. The bad news is that if no action is taken to change the situation, debilitating and chronic problems can arise to the point where surgery, the inability to work or to use a computer can occur.
Long-term effects
Ignoring the symptoms and continuing to sit in a chair that does not support your body can result in:
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Trigger Finger
- Stick neck
- Sore Shoulders
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Think about the cost to you in discomfort and potentially long-term health issues, plus the expense of medical, chiropractic and physiotherapy, if your chair is not providing the right support.
What’s the solution? Prevention!!
The right ‘ergonomically designed’ chair custom made to suit your individual needs and body – Including components with the right padding, heights, angles and the ability to adjust them independently. People aren’t built the same; why should your furniture be?
At LIFEFORM® Chairs, we hand-make each of our chairs (no mass production in our factory!) to provide the essentials for comfort and to reduce the risk of injury from sitting.
Once you sit down in a LIFEFORM® chair, you will experience the difference immediately.
Personalize your chair
Because each LIFEFORM® Chair is custom and handmade, we can also offer extensive upholstery choices, contrast piping and stitching and embroidery options, casters and bases and more, which make your chair truly custom and more aesthetically appealing.
Visit our website @ LIFEFORM Chairs for more information, or call us anytime @ 403-720-3966 or Toll Free 1-800-661-8568 to discuss how to build your comfortable dream chair!
