What are the benefits of an office chair with lumbar support?

A quality lumbar support system on an office chair is designed to reduce back pain by alleviating pressure on the spinal discs. It can also improve posture and spinal alignment, leading to improved comfort. When seated for long hours, an adjustable lumbar support system contributes to long-lasting comfort and enhanced productivity.

What certifications does the Ergohuman office chair have?

The Ergohuman Elite, Mirus Elite, and Enjoy Elite are all certified for BS 5459, meaning they are qualified for 24-hour use. They are great chairs for extended working sessions or shift-work environments. To achieve this certification, the chairs have passed a series of tough tests to show they can handle continuous use without breaking or becoming unsafe. One of the tests simulates the strain of people sitting down and leaning back, proving that the chair’s lumbar support system maintains its supportive nature for at least 10 years for people up to 150 kg.

What is the best way to sit in an office chair?

The way you sit in your office chair is as important as the chair you choose. You could buy the best office chair in the market, and if you don’t adjust it according to your anthropometric measurements, you could experience extreme discomfort. First, sit on the chair with your back against the backrest and feet flat on the floor. Adjust the seat height until your knees are at a 90-degree angle for optimal blood flow and comfort. Next, adjust the seat depth. Slide the seat until there is a 3 cm gap between the seat front and the back of your legs. Decide on your recline position. You can keep it in free-float mode in order to recline easily throughout the day or lock it in position to suit your tasks and preferences. You may also want to activate the forward seat tilt to open your pelvis up into a more natural and comfortable position.

The science behind an active lumbar support system

November 14, 2024

If you spend hours sitting in an office chair, quality lumbar support is critical. Lumbar support is a system or contraption that supports the lumbar region – or lower back – while you are seated in order to help you maintain a neutral spine and healthy posture. A good lumbar support system will reduce muscle pain, strain, and fatigue.

In the UK, 27 per cent of employees experience back pain, according to Simplyhealth⁽¹⁾. Nearly 19 million working days are lost due to physical health issues, with 8 million of these days attributed to back pain. With back pain leading to significant instances of absenteeism, back support is essential.

Choosing an ergonomic office chair with an advanced lumbar support system is recommended, as they are designed to alleviate back pain and musculoskeletal issues when used correctly and in conjunction with an active lifestyle.

the science of lumbar support

The back of a male body, with the person holding their back in pain. Through the skin you can see the outline of the spine, ribs and lumbar, with red on the lumbar area to emphasise pain in that area.

Let’s take a closer look at how a lumbar support system works for the human body.

> The anatomy of the lumbar spine

The lumbar spine comprises five large vertebrae in the lower back, which support the body's weight, protect the spinal cord, and contribute to a wide range of motion. The lumbar vertebrae are also the centre of your balancing, walking, running, and lifting abilities.

However, there are many things that can go wrong with this part of your body, including generic lower back pain, which can be caused by serious health conditions or, in many cases, back strain, which is often caused by poor posture⁽²⁾.

The lumbar spine naturally curves slightly inward, forming what’s known as the lordotic curve. This healthy curvature is vital for evenly distributing your body weight across the spine and maintaining healthy posture.

> How lumbar support works

Supporting the natural curvature of the spine is essential for back health. When seated for long periods of time, an effective lumbar support system helps to maintain the natural S shape of the lordotic curve, allowing the lower back to rest in the best alignment position. This reduces stress on the spine and promotes good posture.

Have you ever sat in a dining table for a while? Perhaps you’ve spent a few hours working there, especially when working from home became the norm. You’ll have noticed that it was hard to maintain an S shape in the spine, resorting to either an awkwardly upright position or, instead, slouching.

Our ergonomic office chairs, on the other hand, are built to support the back in a healthy position. Even if you begin to slouch, the lumbar support makes it easy to correct yourself.

The Ergohuman’s automatic lumbar support system is located within the height-adjustable backrest. Lift or lower the backrest height to align the lumbar bar with your spine's curve. Once set, you can adjust the lumbar tension pressure to suit your weight and preferences. The built-in flex also adapts to your movements, reducing discomfort while you work.

When the lumbar support system is correctly positioned, it aligns with the natural curve of the lower back, preventing the spine from flattening or slumping. Without this support, the spine can curve outwards, leading to a slouched posture. Slouching increases strain on the lower back and places extra pressure on the muscles, discs and nerves.

Our lumbar support also alleviates pressure on the spinal discs, which act as cushions between each vertebra. It also relieves pressure on the nerves in the lower back, which can otherwise become irritated or pinched, causing leg pain.

Lumbar support on Ergohuman office chairs

Our ergonomic office chairs feature automatic lumbar support systems to support the lumbar spine. The adjustable backrest height, seat depth, and lumbar tension all work together to provide optimal comfort for each individual’s weight, height, and preferences. If you’ve never experienced proper lumbar support before, it may feel unfamiliar to begin with, but hold steady – after a week or two, you should get used to the feeling, and you will experience sustained support and comfort.

The benefit of an active lumbar support system is that it is customisable to the individual. You can adjust it to suit your comfort and posture needs, which makes it ideal for those with specific lumbar support requirements. It’s also more flexible and adaptable, making it great for those who move frequently while seated.

Our lumbar support system is also designed to remain supportive and comfortable in our various recline positions. Keep the chair in free-float recline mode and experience easy rocking back and forth while the lumbar bar remains in a supportive position for your lower back. You can also lock the recline in any of four positions if you have a preferred spot.

For additional comfort while reclining, you may consider adding a legrest and headrest to your Elite office chair, as this helps maintain a neutral spine and reduces pressure on the lower back.

The Ergohuman, Enjoy, and Mirus Elite are all certified for BS 5459, meaning they are suitable for up to 24-hour daily use. This certification marks our commitment to providing high-quality and ergonomically advanced seating solutions across our entire range. You can rest assured that our chairs have met the highest durability, safety, and performance standards. We back this with a 10-year warranty and free repairs or replacements if your chair is subject to any faults or defects that may affect your comfort and back support.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the benefits of an office chair with lumbar support?

A quality lumbar support system on an office chair is designed to reduce back pain by alleviating pressure on the spinal discs. It can also improve posture and spinal alignment, leading to improved comfort. When seated for long hours, an adjustable lumbar support system contributes to long-lasting comfort and enhanced productivity.
What certifications does the Ergohuman office chair have?

The Ergohuman Elite, Mirus Elite, and Enjoy Elite are all certified for BS 5459, meaning they are qualified for 24-hour use. They are great chairs for extended working sessions or shift-work environments. To achieve this certification, the chairs have passed a series of tough tests to show they can handle continuous use without breaking or becoming unsafe.

One of the tests simulates the strain of people sitting down and leaning back, proving that the chair’s lumbar support system maintains its supportive nature for at least 10 years for people up to 150 kg.
What is the best way to sit in an office chair?

The way you sit in your office chair is as important as the chair you choose. You could buy the best office chair in the market, and if you don’t adjust it according to your anthropometric measurements, you could experience extreme discomfort.

First, sit on the chair with your back against the backrest and feet flat on the floor. Adjust the seat height until your knees are at a 90-degree angle for optimal blood flow and comfort.

Next, adjust the seat depth. Slide the seat until there is a 3 cm gap between the seat front and the back of your legs.

Decide on your recline position. You can keep it in free-float mode in order to recline easily throughout the day or lock it in position to suit your tasks and preferences.

You may also want to activate the forward seat tilt to open your pelvis up into a more natural and comfortable position.

Man sitting leaning back in a grey ergohuman elite office chair. he's wearing a navy jumper and white trousers. he sits in a modern living space with built in bookcases

Invest in your back health

An effective lumbar support system, like those found on our comfortable office chairs, can significantly reduce your pain and strain while maintaining healthy posture and contributing to your overall comfort. An ergonomic office chair with an automatic and adjustable lumbar system is a smart investment in your health, productivity, and business. Explore our range of office chairs and find your comfort zone.

If you'd like to enjoy the benefits of Ergohuman office chairs, contact us for more details.

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