There are days when sitting at work is simply no fun, possibly even painful. Luckily our friends at RGP Dental, especially Michael O'Neil, have a solution we just love to sit on. This Swedish manufacturer has designed some very comfortable, very supportive, and highly adjustable task chairs and it fits all the bodies at Signature Environments. While the chairs were designed as task chairs for the dental industry, with versions for both doctors and assistants, they make an excellent cross over to other sitting intensive industries too! http://www.rgpdental.com/ 
While we are on the topic, "highly adjustable" is a key term with any general office or dental task seating. Our bodies change depending upon the task "at hand" and our chairs need to adjust with us as well. Commonly we humans sit down in a chair and never adjust it to fit our unique bodies or sitting positions. Unfortunately, this approach can add to repetitive stress injuries at work, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. So, grab your office mate and you can each take a turn at finding the optimal adjustments for your task chairs, even if it isn't an RGP. Here are a few keys to a good ergonomic fit and "rules of thumb":
- Seat height: Adjust your seat height so your feet are flat on the floor when working on your keyboard. Your arms should be roughly horizontal to your keyboard tray.
- Seat back: Have your office mate adjust the back height so it comfortable hits and supports the lumbar area of your lower back. Then sit back--yes BACK--against it. It is time to officially end "perching" on your task chair and let the back support you. (Ladies, we are the worst about the whole perching thing and it is really hard on our lower backs and hip joints.)
- Seat tilt: If your seat has tilt adjustment it may be more comfortable to tilt it forward or even backward, or better yet be "free flowing" to follow your body in motion. (No, this doesn't mean your back can leave its new connection with the back of the chair, it means it will be supported properly while you work though). Happily for us the RGP has the "free flowing" function too, depending upon the use mode chosen.
- Keyboards are best located under your countertop. On top of the counter is too high and may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. There are some well made options with height-adjustable rise and fall and they will tilt too. Invest in a keyboard roll-out as a high priority!
- When changing from keyboarding to working on your countertop adjust your seat height up to allow your arms to be parallel with the task at hand. (I know, sounds like a hassle but it's the best habit to learn, your body will thank you). When your elbows are low and wrists resting on the countertop edge or keyboard edge you may find yourself losing circulation-this is NOT a good thing.
- Foot stools: When your seat goes up so do your feet and to keep your touché firmly planted against the back of your chair you may need to invest in a foot stool under your desk. These can be found in your office supply catalog and vary from cheap to spendy. The goal—keep your back against the seat back and your bottom firmly planted—not perched.
- Lastly, the mouse. That little critter can be the cause of shoulder pain and needs to be sitting directly beside your keyboard (down on that new keyboard roll-out you will be buying). Check yourself to make sure your arm isn't extending out to the side or causing you to tilt forward. Pull your mouse pad closer and snug it up happily next to your keyboard--everyone will be happier!
Suggestions for future entries? Pains you have from work? Contact me at Janice@SEIseattle.com, I am happy to help!
While we are on the topic, "highly adjustable" is a key term with any general office or dental task seating. Our bodies change depending upon the task "at hand" and our chairs need to adjust with us as well. Commonly we humans sit down in a chair and never adjust it to fit our unique bodies or sitting positions. Unfortunately, this approach can add to repetitive stress injuries at work, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. So, grab your office mate and you can each take a turn at finding the optimal adjustments for your task chairs, even if it isn't an RGP. Here are a few keys to a good ergonomic fit and "rules of thumb":- Seat height: Adjust your seat height so your feet are flat on the floor when working on your keyboard. Your arms should be roughly horizontal to your keyboard tray.
- Seat back: Have your office mate adjust the back height so it comfortable hits and supports the lumbar area of your lower back. Then sit back--yes BACK--against it. It is time to officially end "perching" on your task chair and let the back support you. (Ladies, we are the worst about the whole perching thing and it is really hard on our lower backs and hip joints.)
- Seat tilt: If your seat has tilt adjustment it may be more comfortable to tilt it forward or even backward, or better yet be "free flowing" to follow your body in motion. (No, this doesn't mean your back can leave its new connection with the back of the chair, it means it will be supported properly while you work though). Happily for us the RGP has the "free flowing" function too, depending upon the use mode chosen.
- Keyboards are best located under your countertop. On top of the counter is too high and may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. There are some well made options with height-adjustable rise and fall and they will tilt too. Invest in a keyboard roll-out as a high priority!
- When changing from keyboarding to working on your countertop adjust your seat height up to allow your arms to be parallel with the task at hand. (I know, sounds like a hassle but it's the best habit to learn, your body will thank you). When your elbows are low and wrists resting on the countertop edge or keyboard edge you may find yourself losing circulation-this is NOT a good thing.
- Foot stools: When your seat goes up so do your feet and to keep your touché firmly planted against the back of your chair you may need to invest in a foot stool under your desk. These can be found in your office supply catalog and vary from cheap to spendy. The goal—keep your back against the seat back and your bottom firmly planted—not perched.
- Lastly, the mouse. That little critter can be the cause of shoulder pain and needs to be sitting directly beside your keyboard (down on that new keyboard roll-out you will be buying). Check yourself to make sure your arm isn't extending out to the side or causing you to tilt forward. Pull your mouse pad closer and snug it up happily next to your keyboard--everyone will be happier!
Suggestions for future entries? Pains you have from work? Contact me at Janice@SEIseattle.com, I am happy to help!
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