If you work a job that requires you to sit at a computer for most of the day and experience back pain on a regular basis, here’s a bit of consolation—you’re not alone. Nearly 65 million Americans have experienced bouts of back pain or discomfort in the recent past, and that has a lot to do with the fact that the average American spends 13 hours a day in a seated position. So while many of us have tried to support our spines by buying supportive shoes and extra-firm mattresses—both great ideas, don’t get us wrong!—the main root of the problem is actually in the way we sit.
Having poor posture in one sitting probably won’t have more than a marginal effect on your physical and psychological well-being, but failing to correct that poor posture over time, especially if you spend several hours a day at a desk, can have lasting impacts that often go beyond mere discomfort—between 1996 and 2016 alone, for instance, Americans spent $134 billion on costs related to their back pain.
Today, instead of waiting for back pain to arise or worsen before addressing the problem, millions of office workers are recognizing how fundamental a healthy sitting posture is to their overall well-being. By taking care of the problem through ergonomic solutions, they’re taking tangible steps toward protecting themselves from the avoidable physical, psychological, and financial stress that comes with chronic back pain. So much of this work comes in the conscious effort to implement and maintain good posture, but, as anyone who swears by memory foam mattresses or cushioned shoes might tell you, surrounding ourselves with the right objects can go a long way towards fostering a healthier lifestyle. Chairs are no different.
Here are the five main benefits of having an ergonomic chair: