Sitting right is important to avoid back pain and tense muscles. But which chair is best for you when you work? Gunilla Tapper, occupational physiotherapist and trained ergonomics, Health Link, provides good advice
"Often you don't know you're in the wrong seat until you're in pain, and then it's too late," says Gunilla Tapper. "But take the time to feel. How do you actually sit? Are your shoulders tense? If you relax the muscles in your neck, does your head fall forward? Try different ways of sitting and standing while working. If you're taking a phone call or reading something, it's no problem to lean back comfortably on a sofa for a while."
Gunilla thinks that the type of chair you choose can change in different work situations.
"Whatever chair you use, make sure you feel relaxed and creative. If you sit and feed data for several hours a day, it is good to have a chair that has a lot of different functions – stand up, move armrests, change the angle... The chair must provide proper support, but you should not get stuck in the same position."
In an office or open workplace there are rooms for several different types of chairs, depending on the task and situation.
"In the meeting room, the chairs are often designed to give confidence and comfort, so you can sit back and be creative. Perhaps they are also meant to impress guests and potential customers."
You can also choose a mobile option, if you do not want to sit all day, says Gunilla Tapper.
"If you want to be really active and mobile, you can choose a standing support base, where you do not sit at all but balance on your feet. These might be good for a certain period of the day."
Support chair, in leather, color Middle Brown