At the end of a day spent on your feet or sitting upright (or slumping) in your office chair, the journey home may include thoughts of relaxing in your ergonomic recliner. It’s in our DNA to want to recline: Lounging chairs were common décor in ancient Egypt and Greece. In the 1850’s, the French created a recliner to serve as a chair, bed, and chaise lounge. Napoleon III liked it, a lot. About 80 years later, in 1927, La-Z-Boy opened its doors and we’ve been reclining in a big way ever since.
Most Americans will experience back pain during their life, with more than half of back-pain sufferers working in an office environment. And we feel the pain in our wallet, too. Back-pain treatment costs $50 billion annually, with another $100 billion going toward indirect costs like lost work and insurance. Companies, health care professionals, and consumers are increasingly focused on solutions, one of which is how to focus on ergonomic living.
What is Ergonomic Living?
Ergonomics is a science focused on improvement. Its goal? To learn how people move and work and then adapt their environments to minimize stress and injury. Historically, ergonomics focused on work, with scientists implementing ideas to increase productivity during the late 19th century. Ergonomic living played a role in World War II airplane design and affected computer equipment designs during the 1970s. Ergonomics evolved into a lifestyle as people learned more about the effects of products on their backs and began seeking solutions in all of their environments. You can now buy ergonomic bathtubs, car seats, massage chairs, and yes, ergonomic recliners.
What Makes an Ergonomic Recliner Different?
Height and depth
Ergonomic recliners have a specific height and depth to deliver optimum usefulness. The height of a chair is the distance between the floor and the chair bottom. Height affects how easily you can get in and out of a chair. Too high and you feel discomfort under your thighs. Too low, and you’ll feel pressure on your pelvis. The depth of a chair is the distance from the back to the front. You need to have full support along your thighs. A seat with too much depth forces you to lean back to support your shoulders.
Firm cushioning
An ergonomic recliner padding will support the downward pressure of your body across all contact points. Softer cushions can be detrimental because they pull down on your spine and pelvis. Being surrounded by a soft cushion can cause strain as you pull yourself out of its cottony grip.
Proper body support by following the contour of the body
In an ergonomic recliner, you should not have a gap between the back of the chair and your tailbone or lower back. The size of a recliner seat cushion should equal the distance between your tailbone and your knees.
Reduction of tension, stress
The net impact of an ergonomic recliner is reduced stress on your body. Supporting your spine, hips and the rest of your body with the highest level of comfort will improve your health and your life.
Broadway Furniture Tigard, OR
Let our team at Broadway Furniture in Tigard help you find the ergonomic recliner that fits you and your lifestyle.
