![]() Bashir’s comments, a smaller angle may be better for some users who are unsure or who are at risk of sliding off of their chairs. Ideal Reclining Angle While SittingĪlthough research has shown that reclining a chair back to 135 degrees proves beneficial, the angle is not a “one size fits all” solution. Waseem Bashir, who led the study, recommended that the reclined position should be 120 degrees or less. However, one researcher made a notable point.Īlthough sitting with the hip angle open at 135 degrees provides more spinal relief, this angle does put sitters at risk of sliding out of the chair.ĭr. Overall, results showed that the 135 degree position was better in preventing disc slide and compression. Twenty two volunteers were examined in Aberdeen while sitting in 3 different positions: slouching, sitting upright at 90 degrees, and sitting in a reclined position at 135 degrees. The ResearchīBC News referenced a study in 2006 conducted by Canadian and Scottish researchers. ![]() This means that the lower back is actually getting ZERO support from the chair, and without a filler padding (towel or pillow), the spine with gravity pushes into that space causing increased pain. The curvature of the lower back creates a hollowed space between the back and the back support. This is common for people who recline back in chairs that have a hollowed out pad at the bottom of the back support. If you are sitting in a chair that does not provide the right back support, then reclined seating can actually cause untold pain to the lower back. Overtime, this can wreak havoc on weak or sore knees. In efforts to recline back and to sit upright, the knees take the brunt of the work in order to bring the body up from a reclined seated position to an upright seated position. There are some work-related tasks that can be completed more efficiently when sitting upright. Obviously, reclining backwards consistently in an office setting is not practical. Now that we have discussed to common health perks that come with a reclined seating position, let’s spoil some of the fun and examine some of the downsides: Bad for knees By leaning backwards, the lungs and diaphragm have more room to expand. Helps you breathe betterĪ reclined seating position optimizes a person’s ability to breathe. The immediate effects may not be noticeable, but a reclined position might be saving someone from disc, nerve, bone, and muscle breakdown in the back. This means that gravity is no longer pushing an upright spine straight down on top of itself. Reclined seating allows for the entire spine to lean back while keeping the hips tilted forward. This results in disc herniations and nerve pinches that can be excruciating while leading to permanent spinal damage. Spinal compression with no rest breaks can reduce synovial fluid in the vertebral discs, causing spine bones (vertebra) to collapse and rub into each other. Sitting in a 90 degree angle for lengthy periods of time means that the spine is being compressed with gravity. Great for back painĪs mentioned previously, reclined seating reduces back pain. Reclining the chair back means that gravity does the work, keeping your chest and shoulder open and your neck and chin upright. Potential problems include neck, shoulder, and back pain, joint stiffness, future spinal herniation, pinched nerves, and reduced circulation to muscle tissue. Holding a prolonged hunched position at work can do a number on your overall posture. Simply tipping your chair back a bit automatically does so much more for you than just open your hips up: Reverse hunched position But, is reclined seating the BEST sitting posture overall? The Benefits of Reclining The alternative was to recline the chair back to open the hip angle up to at least 135 degrees for instant relief. ![]() A study conducted in the early 2000’s revealed that sitting upright in a chair for several hours (which opens the hips up to 90 degrees) leads to chronic back pain.
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