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Do You Need a New Office Chair?

10 June 2021

When's the last time you replaced your desk chair? Most of us assume that the chair we sit in all day behind the computer is designed for comfort. It is, although the level of comfort varies from person to person. Dilapidated or worn-out office chairs can exacerbate a variety of musculoskeletal diseases and repetitive strain injuries. These injuries are responsible for an estimated 130 million total healthcare contacts each year.

A sense of relaxation and access to practical tools and office equipment all help achieve the highest degree of performance possible. As a result, employers should be extremely vigilant about the equipment offered to their employees. An unsuitable chair can hurt your body and your work performance. A chair, like any other piece of equipment, requires replacement over time. There is no need for more than one compelling reason to upgrade your workplace chair. What exactly is an adequate excuse? What are some signs that you need a new office chair?

Decline

Your office chair is just another piece of furniture. When your desk chair begins to show symptoms of excessive wear, it's a good clue that it's necessary to update it. If it is made of a material, such as leather, it may start to look worn and even tear in areas. You may observe that the plastic parts no longer appear to be as rigid as they once did. When things start tearing or coming off your chair, it's time to consider whether a replacement is necessary. If you've never had the chair for that long, it could be an anomaly, or the quality of the product was poor. If your office chair shows signs of deterioration or has been handed down from previous workers for more than a few years, it's time for a replacement. The alignment of your chair has a significant effect on your own. Sitting tactically to avoid tears in the fabric or lumps in the cushion can cause your posture to be incorrect. The following are some signs that you may need a new/different chair:

  • The chair has been physically damaged.
  • Worn materials
  • Issues with good posture persist.
  • Physical pain concerns

How long should an office chair be expected to last? While it is not uncommon for your chair to last a single year, it should last around seven and ten years if the quality is good.

Pain

Our bodies were not built to be held in one posture for long periods. The most obvious sign that your chair isn't right for you is pain. Chronic pain is among the most concerning symptoms that you need a new office chair, and it should not be overlooked. You don't need to get to the point where an injury occurs. If you're experiencing back pain and your office chair's backrest doesn't give adequate lumbar support or doesn't have one at all, it's time for an upgrade. When there is no lumbar stability, and the back is arched forward, the back muscles try to force the lumbar area off its normal curve, putting strain on the discs and reducing blood flow to the spinal tissue. Continuous contraction force effort causes muscle exhaustion, soreness, strained discs, and constricted nerves.

An ergonomically correct office chair can be comfortable, but it might be your demise if it is not updated every few years. You should be able to work productively and painlessly in an ergonomic workspace. Back discomfort and neck pain can develop gradually, which is why it's critical to select a chair that will accommodate your back and seat all through the day. Choose a chair with lumbar support and a firm seat (particularly at the base of your spine) to keep you upright and not hunched. 

Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair by FlexiSpot

The Soutien offers the ultimate seated sensation behind your desk, with its 3D lumbar support system, 135° lounge tilt, and 4D adjustable armrests. It has a one-of-a-kind 3D lumbar support structure that features a soft rebound mechanism, a 3-tier height-adjustable mechanism, and a bionic-designed curve. This form of one-of-a-kind lumbar support relieves the unwelcome backache linked with so many other desk chairs. It is four-dimensionally adjustable, and the flexible armrests mold seamlessly to your arms and elbows for ultimate comfort.

Leg Strain

When using your office chair no longer provides a soothing experience, it is crucial to change it. Because your legs sustain your weight, you must generally exert some force on them when walking. Yet, in a seated, your legs should be free of strain and in a position that supports optimum blood circulation. When an office chair approaches the limit of its functional life, you may begin to feel stress and tension in your leg areas.

Compatibility

One of the most obvious symptoms that you need a new office chair is the mismatch it causes in your ergonomic setting. Remember that ergonomics is concerned with how your surroundings and tools move you and your working requirements. As a result, when that compatibility is thrown off, it's almost always safe to assume you have something to be concerned about. This is especially true if you have bought a new desk with improved ergonomics over your prior one. You may have opted to get a height-adjustable standing desk to avoid the risks of prolonged sitting. When you see that the chair is hindering you from using the desk in a compatible and constructive way, consider it a warning sign that it is no longer ergonomic.

Style

Although it may not be a significant basis to upgrade your office chair based on function, industry standards change, and you must adapt. All of today's finest ergonomic chairs feature some level of flexibility and decent spinal support. Even while many older chairs were designed to be comfy, their lack of staples renders them outdated. If you feel yourself lagging, you might think about obtaining a new chair.

Final Word

As per the American Chiropractic Association, healthy sitting posture consists of the following:

  • Maintain a modest space between your knees and the front of your chair.
  • Keep your feet on the ground (or, if they don't touch the bottom, on a footstool).
  • Set your chair's backrest to cushion your low- and mid-back.
  • Your knees should be parallel with or below your hips.
  • Sitting in the same position for extended periods should be avoided.

If you're feeling back, neck, wrist, or arm fatigue, it's likely that your chair is to blame. If your office chair isn't helping, it's hurting, and it's time for a new one. Most of us sit all day, and if there are standing desk solutions available, you should take advantage of them. A tweak in your habit may not only improve your posture but also raise your focus on the task at hand. There are numerous seating choices available nowadays, so explore until you pick the one that works best for you.