Title: Managing Low Back Pain A Challenge for the Next Millennium
1Managing Low Back Pain A Challenge for the Next
Millennium
2OUTLINE
- Incidence of Low Back Pain
- What is Low Back Pain
- Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- Causes of Low Back Pain
- Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
- Diagnosis
- Treatment of Low Back Pain (Surgical/Nonsurgical)
- Back Pain Prevention
- Office Chair Selection
3Incidence of Low Back Pain
- Low back pain is one of the main reasons
Americans visit their doctor - 80 of people will have low back pain at some
point in their lives Each year, back pain costs
Americans about 100 billion in medical bills,
disability, and lost productivity. - It is the most expensive industrial injury,
affecting 2 to 5 of the workforce and leading
to 1,000,000 workers' compensation claims
annually.
4Incidence of Low Back Pain
- Low back pain remains a serious health disorder,
and, next to the common cold, it remains the most
common reason why people seek medical care - During his or her life, about one in five persons
will have a serious episode of back pain that
will require medical attention. - Low back pain is the most expensive health care
problem for people age 20 to 50 years.
5What is Low Back Pain
- Back pain is actually very commonabout three in
four adults will experience back pain during
their lifetime, especially low back pain - Back pain may be acute or chronic.
- Back pain comes in many forms, it may be sudden
and sharpor it may be dull. - Pain may occur with movement, and it may even
occur with coughing and sneezing. You may also
have numbness in your arms or legs. - Its important to treat your back pain properly.
Seek medical attention if your back pain
persistsand seek immediate attention if you have
any of the emergency signs listed below. - Warning Signs You Need Help
- Pain is getting significantly worse
- Pain affects every day activities
- Severe symptoms
- Groin or leg weakness or numbness
- Arm or hand weakness, tingling, or numbness
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
6Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- Your back, or spine, is made up of many parts
- Your backbone, also called your vertebral
column, provides support and protection and
consists of 33 vertebrae (bones) - There are discs between each of the vertebra that
act like pads or shock absorbers. - Together, the vertebrae and the discs provide a
protective tunnel (the spinal canal) to house the
spinal cord and spinal nerves - These nerves run down the center of the vertebrae
and exit to various parts of the body.
7Anatomy of Low Back Pain
8Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- Your back also has muscles, ligaments, tendons,
and blood vessels. - Muscles are strands of tissues that act as the
source of power for movement. - Ligaments are the strong, flexible bands of
fibrous tissue that link the bones together, and
tendons connect muscles to bones and discs. - Blood vessels provide nourishment.
- These parts all work together to help you move
about.
9Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- Back pain may be a result of injury to any or all
of the previously mentioned body parts - Injury to the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments,
tendons) results in sprains or strains, which are
generally not considered serious - However, injury to bones, nerves, or blood
vessels may be more serious - The outer layers of discs can also get tears or
cracks, allowing the annulus fibrosus or nucleus
pulposus to bulge out. - Any of these injuries can cause inflammation and
pain.
10Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- The lumbar spine is made up of the lower five
vertebrae often referred to as L1 to L5. - These five vertebrae line up to give the low back
a slight inward curve. - The lowest vertebra of the lumbar spine, L5,
connects to the top of the sacrum, a triangular
bone at the base of the spine that fits between
the two pelvic bones
11Anatomy of Low Back Pain
- Intervertebral discs separate the vertebrae.
- The discs are made of connective tissue.
- Most connective tissue is made of fibers of a
material called collagen. - These fibers help the disc withstand tension and
pressure. - Healthy discs work like shock absorbers to
cushion the spine. - They protect the spine against the daily pull of
gravity. - They also protect it during strenuous activities
that put strong force on the spine, such as
jumping, running, and lifting. - Two spinal nerves exit the sides of each spinal
segment, one on the left and one on the right. - As the nerves leave the spinal cord, they pass
through a small bony tunnel on each side of the
vertebra, called a neural foramin
12Causes of Low Back Pain
- Back pain has a variety of causes, including poor
posture and poor body mechanics (ex. standing for
long periods of time or sitting incorrectly can
cause back pain) - Engaging in certain sports often carries a risk
of back injury. - Low back pain is often associated with heavy
physical work, lifting or forceful movement,
bending or twisting, or awkward positions. - You may even have a back injury and not know it
until a stressful movement aggravates the
condition. - Dont ignore back pain. Talk to your doctor if
your pain persists.
13Causes of Low Back Pain
- Common Causes of Low Back Pain Include
- Sprain/Strain
- Obesity
- Aging/Degeneration
- Herniation
14Causes of Low Back Pain
- Sprain or Strain
- A sudden fall, car crash, or sports injury can
cause a sprain or strainor even just lifting
something too heavy. - When a back injury occurs, muscles, ligaments,
and tendons can become over-stretched, overused,
or torn. - Tissues can swell, causing pain, tenderness, and
stiffness.
15Causes of Low Back Pain
- Obesity
- Your spine caries a large portion of your weight.
- Being overweight puts pressure and stress on the
back, especially the low back. - In addition, carrying excess weight aggravates
other health conditions such as osteoporosis
(weak bones), osteoarthritis (joint pain),
rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease),
degenerative disc disease (described below in the
aging section), spinal stenosis, and
spondylolisthesis.
16Causes of Low Back Pain
- Degeneration
- The intervertebral disc changes over time.
- The first change that occurs is that the annulus
around the nucleus weakens and begins to develop
small cracks and tears - The body tries to heal the cracks with scar
tissue. - The torn annulus can be a source of pain for two
reasons. First, there are pain sensors in the
outer rim of the annulus. They signal a painful
response when the tear reaches the outer edge of
the annulus. Second, like injuries to other
tissues in the body, a tear in the annulus can
cause pain due to inflammation. - With time, the disc begins to lose water, causing
it to lose some of its fullness and height. As a
result, the vertebrae begin to move closer
together.
17Causes of Low Back Pain
- Degeneration
- The intervertebral disc changes over time.
- The first change that occurs is that the annulus
around the nucleus weakens and begins to develop
small cracks and tears - The body tries to heal the cracks with scar
tissue. - The torn annulus can be a source of pain for two
reasons. First, there are pain sensors in the
outer rim of the annulus. They signal a painful
response when the tear reaches the outer edge of
the annulus. Second, like injuries to other
tissues in the body, a tear in the annulus can
cause pain due to inflammation. - With time, the disc begins to lose water, causing
it to lose some of its fullness and height. As a
result, the vertebrae begin to move closer
together.
18Causes of Low Back Pain
- Degeneration
- The intervertebral disc changes over time.
- The first change that occurs is that the annulus
around the nucleus weakens and begins to develop
small cracks and tears - The body tries to heal the cracks with scar
tissue. - The torn annulus can be a source of pain for two
reasons. First, there are pain sensors in the
outer rim of the annulus. They signal a painful
response when the tear reaches the outer edge of
the annulus. Second, like injuries to other
tissues in the body, a tear in the annulus can
cause pain due to inflammation. - With time, the disc begins to lose water, causing
it to lose some of its fullness and height. As a
result, the vertebrae begin to move closer
together.
19Causes of Low Back Pain
- Herniations
- Herniation occurs when the nucleus in the center
of the disc pushes out of its normal space. - The nucleus presses against the annulus, causing
the disc to bulge outward. - Sometimes the nucleus herniates completely
through the annulus and squeezes out of the disc.
- Vigorous, repetitive bending, twisting, and
lifting can place abnormal pressure on the
shock-absorbing nucleus of the disc. - If great enough, this increased pressure can
injure the annulus, leading to herniation. - A lumbar disc can also become herniated during an
acute (sudden) injury
20Causes of Low Back Pain
- Herniation causes pain from a variety of sources.
- Mechanical Pain.
- This is pain that comes from the parts of the
spine that move during activity, such as the
discs and ligaments. - Pain from inflammation occurs when the nucleus
squeezes through the annulus. - The nucleus normally does not come in contact
with the body's blood supply. However, a tear in
the annulus puts the nucleus at risk for
contacting this blood supply. - When the nucleus herniates into the torn annulus,
the nucleus and blood supply meet, causing a
reaction of the chemicals inside the nucleus. - This produces inflammation and pain.
- Neurogenic Pain
- A disc herniation may also put pressure against a
spinal nerve. - Pressure on an irritated or damaged nerve can
produce pain that radiates along the nerve.
21Causes of Low Back Pain
22Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
- Disc herniations produce inflammation when the
nucleus comes in contact with the body's blood
supply - The inflammation can be a source of throbbing
pain in the low back and may spread into one or
both hips and buttocks. - A herniated disc can press against a spinal
nerve, producing symptoms of nerve compression. - Nerve pain follows known patterns in the lower
limbs (It can be felt on the side of the upper
thigh, in the calf, or even in the foot and toes) - Pressure on the nerve can also cause sensations
of pins, needles, and numbness where the nerve
travels down the lower limbs
23Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
- Back pain is its own symptom.
- Your back pain may be acute or chronic.
- Acute pain lasts four to six weeks, but chronic
pain is persistent, long-term painsometimes
lasting throughout life. - Back pain may be sudden and sharpor it may be
dull. - Pain may occur with movement, and it may even
occur with coughing and sneezing. - You may also have numbness in your arms or legs.
(Leg symptoms are often referred to as sciatica
caused by a pinched nerve.) - It's important to treat your back pain properly.
- Seek medical attention if your back pain
persistsand seek immediate attention if you have
back pain with any of the following emergency
signs - Pain is getting significantly worse
- Pain affects every day activities
- Severe symptoms
- Groin or leg weakness or numbness
- Arm or hand weakness, tingling, or numbness
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
24Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
- Rarely, symptoms involve changes in bowel and
bladder function. - A large disc herniation that pushes straight back
into the spinal canal can put pressure on the
nerves that go to the bowels and bladder. - The pressure may cause low back pain, pain
running down the back of both legs, and numbness
or tingling between the legs in the area you
would contact if you were seated on a saddle. - The pressure on the nerves can cause a loss of
control in the bowels or bladder. - This is an emergency. If the pressure isn't
relieved, it can lead to permanent paralysis of
the bowels and bladder. - This condition is called cauda equina syndrome
- Doctors recommend immediate surgery to remove
pressure from the nerves.
25Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
26Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain
- In summary, symptoms from low back problems vary.
- They depend on a person's condition and which
structures are affected. Some of the more common
symptoms of low back problems are - low back pain
- pain spreading into the buttocks and thighs
- pain radiating from the buttock to the foot
- back stiffness and reduced range of motion
- muscle weakness in the hip, thigh, leg, or foot
- sensory changes (numbness, prickling, or
tingling) in the leg, foot, or toes
27Diagnosis
- The diagnosis of low back problems begins with a
thorough history of your condition. - Your doctor or therapist will ask you questions
to find out when you first started having
problems, what makes your symptoms worse or
better, and how the symptoms affect your daily
activity. - Your doctor or therapist will then physically
examine the muscles and joints of your low back. - It is important that your doctor or therapist see
how your back is aligned, how it moves, and
exactly where it hurts. - Some simple tests to check the function of the
nerves are performed. - These tests are used to measure the strength in
your lower limbs, check your reflexes, and
determine whether you have numbness in your legs
or feet. - The information from your medical history and
physical examination will help your doctor or
therapist decide which further tests to run. - The tests give different types of information.
28Treatment of Low Back Pain
- Ninety percent of people who experience low back
pain for the first time get better in two to six
weeks without any treatment at all. - Patients often do best when encouraged to stay
active and to get back to normal activities as
soon as possible, even if there is still some
pain. - The pain may not go away completely.
- One goal of treatment is to help you find ways to
control the pain and allow you to continue to do
your normal activities.
29Treatment of Low Back Pain(Nonsurgical)
- Whenever possible, doctors prefer to use
treatments other than surgery. The first goal of
these nonsurgical treatments is to ease your pain
and other symptoms. - Bed Rest
- In cases of severe pain, doctors may suggest a
short period of bed rest, usually no more than
two days. Lying on your back can take pressure
off sore discs and nerves. - Most doctors advise against strict bed rest and
prefer that patients do ordinary activities using
pain to gauge how much is too much. - Back Brace
- A back support belt is sometimes recommended when
back pain first strikes. - It can help provide support and lower the
pressure inside a problem disc. - Patients are encouraged to gradually discontinue
wearing the support belt over a period of two to
four days. Otherwise, back muscles begin to rely
on the belt and start to shrink (atrophy). - Medications
- Many different types of medications are typically
prescribed to help gain control of the symptoms
of low back pain. - There is no medication that will cure low back
pain. - Medications are prescribed to help with sleep
disturbances and to help control pain,
inflammation, and muscle spasm.
30Treatment of Low Back Pain(Nonsurgical)
- Physical Therapy and Exercise
- In addition to other nonsurgical treatments,
doctors often ask their patients to work with a
physical therapist. - Therapy treatments focus on relieving pain,
improving back movement, and fostering healthy
posture. - A therapist can design a rehabilitation program
to address a particular condition and to help the
patient prevent future problems. - There is a great deal of scientific proof that
exercise and increased overall fitness reduce the
risk of developing back pain and can improve the
symptoms of back pain once it begins. - Injections
- Spinal injections are used for both treatment and
diagnostic purposes. T - here are several different types of spinal
injections that your doctor may suggest. - These injections usually use a mixture of an
anesthetic and some type of cortisone
preparation. - The anesthetic is a medication that numbs the
area where it is injected. - If the injection takes away your pain
immediately, this gives your doctor important
information suggesting that the injected area is
indeed the source of your pain. - The cortisone decreases inflammation and can
reduce the pain from an inflamed nerve or joint
for a prolonged period of time.
31Treatment of Low Back Pain(Surgical)
- Only rarely is lumbar spine surgery scheduled
right away. - Your doctor may suggest immediate surgery if you
are losing control of your bowels and bladder or
if your muscles are becoming weaker very rapidly. - For other conditions, doctors prefer to try
nonsurgical treatments for a minimum of three
months before considering surgery. - Most people with back pain tend to get better,
not worse. - Even people who have degenerative spine changes
tend to gradually improve with time. - Only one to three percent of patients with
degenerative lumbar conditions typically require
surgery. - Surgery may be suggested when severe pain is not
improving.
32Treatment of Low Back Pain(Surgical)
- There are many different operations for back
pain. The goal of nearly all spine operations is
to remove pressure from the nerves of the spine,
stop excessive motion between two or more
vertebrae, or both. The type of surgery that is
best depends on that patient's conditions and
symptoms. - Laminectomy
- removes part or all of the lamina to release
pressure on the spinal nerves. - Discectomy
- operation to remove the portion of the disc that
is pressing on the nerve roots is called a
discectomy - This operation is performed through an incision
in the low back immediately over the disc that
has ruptured. - Lumbar Fusion
- When there is excessive motion between two or
more vertebrae, the excess motion can cause both
mechanical pain and irritation of the nerves of
the lumbar spine. - In this case some type of spinal fusion is
usually recommended. - The goal of a spinal fusion is to force two or
more vertebrae to grow together, or fuse, into
one bone. - The pain is reduced because the fusion reduces
the constant irritation and inflammation of the
nerve roots
33Back Pain Prevention 4 Harmful Habits
- 1 - Twisting when Lifting So many people make
this mistake! We forget to check our body
mechanics while lifting, yet too much of this
type of movement can be very damaging to your
back. When lifting, follow these steps - Get close to the object
- Bend your knees and grasp the object firmly
- Lift straight up (don't twist!) in one fluid
motion - Hold the object close to your body
- Move close to where you want to place the
object - Bend you knees when lowering the object
Wrong!!
34Back Pain Prevention 4 Harmful Habits
- 2 - Bad PostureHow often to you think about
your posture? - Bad posture - slouched shoulders, head down,
knees locked - places an enormous amount of
stress on the spine. - Good posture keeps your body in balance and helps
avoid that stress. Here's what good posture looks
like when standing - Feet slightly apart Knees straight Chin
slightly tucked in Shoulders back - Be sure to check and correct your posture during
your everyday activities. - Soon you will find that you are actually more
comfortable when your spine is in balance!
Stand tall!
35Back Pain Prevention 4 Harmful Habits
- 3 - Too Little Exercise, Too Much Weight
- A sedentary lifestyle has become all too common
in our society today. - Eventually our spines will pay the price.
- Research shows that people who do not exercise
regularly and are overweight are more likely to
suffer from back injures and pain. - To keep that from happening to you, get up and
get moving! Find a way to put exercise into your
daily activities. Not only will it help keep your
spine healthy, it will help you to shed those
unwanted pounds and feel great too!
Exercise can be fun!!
36Back Pain Prevention 4 Harmful Habits
- 4 - Ignoring the Pain
- None of us like going to the doctor, but
persistent back pain should not be ignored. - If you suffer from persistent, chronic, or
recurring back pain, see your doctor. - In most cases there is an easy, non-surgical
treatment that can return you to a pain free
life. - However, if left untreated or allowed to
progress, back pain can lead to serious and
severe disability.
Don't ignore unresolved pain
37Back Pain Prevention
- Tips to Minimize Stress at the Desk
- Don't lean over the desk for prolonged periods of
time - Don't sit too far from the work and/or with the
back unsupported. - Raise or lower the chair to the proper height so
the knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. - Keep the elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. The
elbows may rest on the work surface. - Don't bend or twist the neck to cradle the phone
against the shoulder.
38Back Pain Prevention
- How To Maintain a Neutral Spine While Standing
- The feet should be placed slightly apart with the
knees straight and chin tucked in to maintain a
neutral spine. - Do not stand in one position for a prolonged
period of time shift the weight from one foot to
the other frequently. - Use a footstool to elevate each foot from time to
time may be helpful.
39Back Pain Prevention
- Spine Safety Carrying
- First take a look at the object to be moved. If
it appears to be too heavy or cumbersome, find
help! Next, consider where the object is going.
Are there obstacles along the way? If so, move
them out of the pathway. - Depending on the shape of the object, try to hold
it at the side and bottom while keeping it close
to the body. Remember to keep the back straight.
Carry the object with the elbows slightly bent. - An extra tip ... Carry a balanced amount of
weight in each hand. For example, when carrying
shopping bags or luggage, split the load in two. - The shoulders should be held slightly back and
level. - Each ear should line up with the shoulders.
- The chin is slightly tucked and the pelvis is
shifted forward so the hips are aligned with the
ankles.
40Back Pain Prevention
- Spine Safety Lifting
- First take a look at the object to be moved. If
it appears to be too heavy or cumbersome, find
help! - If there are obstacles in the way, move them
before lifting the object. - Maintain good posture and keep the head properly
aligned. Try to get as close to the object as
possible and bend at the knees.
41Back Pain Prevention
- Spine Safety - Reaching
- Consider the size, weight, and location of the
object. Use a sturdy stool or ladder if
necessary. Don't even think about standing on
tiptoe! - Next, directly face the object and get as close
to it as possible. One hand could be used for
additional support. Try not to look overhead for
prolonged periods of time. This could cause
unnecessary stress to the neck. - An extra tip ... Store items that are used often
within easy reach. This may mean rearranging
shelves and/or closets. - Don't lift yet! Make sure the feet are slightly
apart and flat on the floor. To turn, instead of
twisting the body, pivot with the feet. This will
help to provide a stable base of support. - Keep breathing and tighten the stomach muscles.
Smoothly lift the object using the arms and legs
... not the back! - Remember ...Poor posture and incorrect body
mechanics are two of the leading causes of neck
and back pain
42Back Pain Prevention
- What is the correct way to sit?
- Keep your feet flat on the floor.
- Try to avoid sitting in the same position for
more than 30 minutes. - At work, adjust your chair height and work
station so you can sit up close to your work and
tilt it up at you. Rest your elbows and arms on
your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders
relaxed. - When sitting in a chair that rolls and pivots,
don't twist at the waist while sitting. Instead,
turn your whole body. - When standing up from the sitting position, move
to the front of the seat of your chair. Stand up
by straightening your legs. Avoid bending forward
at your waist. Immediately stretch your back by
doing 10 standing backbends. - It is ok to assume other sitting positions for
short periods of time, but most of your sitting
time should be spent as described above so there
is minimal stress on your spine.
43Back Pain Prevention
- What is the correct way to sit? (Contd)
- Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders
back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your
chair. - All three normal back curves should be present
while sitting. A small, rolled-up towel or a
lumbar roll can be used to help you maintain the
normal curves in your back. - Here's how to find a good sitting position when
you're not using a back support or lumbar roll - a. Sit at the end of your chair and slouch
completely b. Draw yourself up and accentuate
the curve of your - back as far as possible. c. Hold
for a few seconds d. Release the position
slightly (about 10 degrees). This is a
good sitting posture. - Distribute your body weight evenly on both hips.
- Bend your knees at a right angle. Do not sit with
your knees crossed. Keep your knees even with or
slightly higher than your hips.
44Back Pain Prevention
- What is the correct way to sit while driving?
- Use a back support (lumbar roll) at the curve of
your back. Your knees should be at the same level
or higher than your hips. " - Move the seat close to the steering wheel to
support the curve of your back. The seat should
be close enough to allow your knees to bend and
your feet to reach the pedals.
45Back Pain Prevention
- What is the best position for sleeping and lying
down? - The best lying or sleeping position may vary,
depending on your symptoms. No matter what
position you lie in, the pillow should be under
your head, but not your shoulders, and should be
a thickness that allows your head to be in a
normal position. " - Try to sleep in a position which helps you
maintain the curve in your back (such as on your
back with a pillow under your knees or a lumbar
roll under your lower back or on your side with
your knees slightly bent). Do not sleep on your
side with your knees drawn up to your chest. You
may want to avoid sleeping on your stomach,
especially on a saggy mattress, since this can
cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for
your neck.
46Back Pain Prevention
- What is the best position for sleeping and lying
down? (Contd) - Select a firm mattress and box spring set that
does not sag. If necessary, place a board under
your mattress. You can also place the mattress on
the floor temporarily if necessary. If you've
always slept on a soft surface, it may be more
painful to change to a hard surface. Try to do
what's most comfortable for you. - Try using a back support (lumbar support) at
night to make you more comfortable. A rolled
sheet or towel tied around your waist may be
helpful. - When standing up from the lying position, turn on
your side, draw up both knees and swing your legs
on the side of the bed. Sit up by pushing
yourself up with your hands. Avoid bending
forward at your waist.
47Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 1. Height Adjustment
- Easily raises or lowers the seat to bring your
hips and torso to the correct 90 degree sitting
position appropriate for the level of your work
area. - With both feet flat on the floor and knees bent
at a comfortable angle, your lower legs are
supported without putting pressure on your
thighs.
48Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 2. Angle Adjustment
- Can be at the back, seat or both, and allows you
to change the angle between your torso and
thighs. - Puts you in the correct neutral position to
support and maintain the natural curve of your
spine.
49Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 3. Seat Pan
- The seat pan should be at least once inch wider
than your hips and thighs on either side, and
should not be too long for your legs. - Chairs with seat slider adjustments can
accommodate users of almost any side. - A contour seat is highly recommended for proper
distribution of weight over the seat's surface to
reduce fatigue and leg pain and allow you to sit
for extended periods.
50Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 4. Adjustable Tilt and Tension Control
- Allows you to regulate the angle support, from
locked in place to free floating. - Especially useful for multi-tasking, and to help
maintain support as you lean into/away from your
desk throughout the day.
51Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 5. Backrest
- Proper support can be achieved by height
adjustment to the backrest of your chair, or the
backrest can be adjusted to support the contour
of your back as well as your neck and shoulders
52Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 6. Memory Foam
- Energy absorbent memory foam (including
LIFE-Foam and WonderFoam) conforms to your
body's contours providing gentle, virtually
pressure-free support, thereby improving posture
and reducing stress.
53Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 7. Adjustable Armrests
- To achieve the proper neutral position for wrists
and arms, consider these 3 factors - Height Adjustment helps relieve fatigue in neck
and shoulders - Width Adjustment increases support in
coordination with your shoulder span and the task
at hand - Pivoting/Articulating armrests rotate or swivel,
allowing you to maintain a relaxed position
despite your movements.
54Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 8. Lumbar Support
- Provides support to the lower back (lumbar
region) which encourages correct sitting posture
to reduce strain on the vertebral disks. Improves
relaxation and prevents back pain.
55Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 9. Cervical Support
- Offers support and relieves pressure on your neck
and shoulder (cervical region) especially when
leaning back. Support is provided by either an
attached headrest or high back chair. - The key is to maintain good posture while
sitting. But it's more than just sitting up
straight. Check out your posture right now, are
your - Feet flat on the floor (not crossed or tucked
under you)? - Back and shoulders against the backrest of the
chair? - Elbows and lower arms resting lightly on the
armrests? - Shoulders relaxed and slightly dropped (not
hunched forward)
56Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 9. Cervical Support
- Offers support and relieves pressure on your neck
and shoulder (cervical region) especially when
leaning back. Support is provided by either an
attached headrest or high back chair. - The key is to maintain good posture while
sitting. But it's more than just sitting up
straight. Check out your posture right now, are
your - Feet flat on the floor (not crossed or tucked
under you)? - Back and shoulders against the backrest of the
chair? - Elbows and lower arms resting lightly on the
armrests? - Shoulders relaxed and slightly dropped (not
hunched forward)
57Office Chair Selection 9 Ergonomic Tips
- 9. Cervical Support (Contd)
- Hips slightly higher than your knees?
- Knees bent comfortably (there should be 2-4
inches between the back of your knees and the
edge of the chair)? - Eyes facing the computer screen?
- It is important that all three normal back curves
be present while you are sitting, especially for
people who sit for long periods of time. - A small, rolled-up towel or a lumbar support
pillow is a great way to help you maintain good
sitting posture and avoid spinal stress.
58THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!!!