Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Kneeling ergonomic stool design arose in Norway in the 1970’s




Many jobs nowadays require a lot of sitting and standing in one place, as well as a lot of repeated motions, such as typing at a computer. This can cause unexpected injuries to office workers, who do not always realize that their comfortable job could cause them to injure their back or joints. Ergonomic office equipment is designed to reduce the potential for injury caused by repetitive or awkward positioning.  It can consist of everything from chairs that support the back properly, to keyboards and keyboard trays that prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, or to lighting that is easier on the eyes by reducing glare.  The first piece of furniture that gained recognition in this field is the ergonomic stool.  These put the users in a kneeling position that shifted the hips forward.  By doing so, they reduced the stress on the lower spine. This allows people to sit for prolonged periods without damaging their back.

The design of the kneeling ergonomic stool arose in Norway in the 1970’s.  It appeared in North America in the next decade, and new and more precise developments have been coming out in these items of furniture and others. By increasing the angle between the thigh and the back, they encourage better posture and reduce strain on the muscles of the lower back. These pieces of furniture can appear odd or confusing, but at the end of the day, the result will be a healthier spine and a comfortable back.

Many office chairs are now considered ergonomic.  However, they still generally do not prevent slouching, which can lead to bad posture and back pain. While many people think they already sit with proper posture, a lot of seats actually are more comfortable to slouch or slump in than to sit properly in. As well, a long day in a chair can cause people to stop paying attention to sitting properly. A well designed chair or other seat will encourage good posture and lead to a stronger back, which will allow people to work more efficiently and reduce the need for days off work due to lower back injuries.

When you visit www.ErgoBack.com, be sure to check out our wide selection of ergonomic seating.  From chairs to more exotic seating arrangements, we have the solutions for your office design.   Look through our catalog for other products to help make your workplace a healthier place.


About Us

This blog is sponsored by ErgoBack, a company committed to providing ergonomically designed products including chairs and desks for the home/&office. We believe promoting ergonomic health in people's everyday lives is an important part of keeping individuals happy and healthy. Visit our online store at www.ErgoBack.com for the best deals on ergonomic chairs, desk, computer stations, and more.