​Find the right way to sit

Some of my patients suffer from head, neck and back pains, often caused by improper lifestyle and sitting habits, tension, and stress. Indeed, a substantial part of our lives is spent sitting, and it has a huge impact on our health.

In many cases back pains are related to sitting. Long lasting static load creates strain on the spine, back muscles, and ligaments. These tissues overstrain, loose their tone, and cause improper posture and changes in joints and ligaments in the long run. Sitting for extended periods of time in improper position also creates pressure on the respiratory system, other internal organs, blood circulation, and lymphatic systems. The consequences of the improper sitting for extended periods of time vary from person to person.

How to reduce and eliminate the negative impacts of sitting?

It is important that our sitting should be as conscious and dynamic as possible. Conscious awareness begins with the ability to control the body position: to use the backrest less often and to hold the spine in its natural physiological position. A properly furnished working place can help us to maintain the sitting awareness. Height-adjustable desks stimulate dynamic sitting by making it possible to alternate sitting and standing throughout the day; this can be done with a chair that is high enough.

Often my patients ask for advice regarding proper chairs or the height of the chair. While searching for solutions that would promote the correct and optimal sitting position I have tested gym balls and other equipment, but I have discovered that a saddle chair is one of the most effective solutions.

When sitting on saddle chair the spine is in its neutral position. The saddle chair in the picture is Salli SwingFit with Salli Base that enables an invigorating foot massage.

Saddle chair solves sitting problems

The saddle chair connects several important elements that help to maintain and promote the proper sitting position, improve postural alignment, strengthen muscular endurance, and avoid health disorders. It allows distributing the load between the spine, hips and legs, and when it is properly adjusted it also helps to maintain the open angle between thigh bones and hips by keeping knees lower than the hips.

By using this type of chair, at the correct sitting height, we help our bodies to maintain the physiological curve of the spine, and to keep our back, hips and leg muscles active. Therefore, we also improve their tone and endurance. Some saddle chair models have an adjustable space between the two parts of the seat, which is important for the male sexual anatomy. Moreover, it is possible to easily adapt the chair to the anatomy of narrow or wide hips and coccyx.

Remember to have breaks during your work day

Some other important features influence the postural position, and train the intervertebral spine muscles at micro levels. The overall effect is also very beneficial, because it eases breathing, relaxes muscles and diaphragm, as well as helps to get rid of health disorders caused by an improper sitting posture. All these advantages are combined in Salli chairs. It is important to know that these type of chairs must be used together with height-adjustable desks.

Even if you are working in a properly furnished workplace, it is essential to take regular breaks, and do some physical exercise. It is always useful to consult your doctor or osteopath about sitting nuances, stretching, and physical exercise, taking into account the individual anatomy and physiology.

Žilvinas Kasteckas M.D., D.O., Lithuania
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