Why Kneeling Chairs?
Traditional chairs have been around for thousands of years, so you might be wondering why use kneeling chairs, and why now?
As we spend more and more time in front of the computer in the modern world, our posture becomes all the more crucial in maintaining our overall health. You most likely have more neck and lower back pains than the previous generations, so using something the previous generations used doesn't make sense anymore. Since the 80's after Hans Christian Mengshoel invented the kneeling chair, enhancements have been made to optimize the benefits of kneeling chairs. Here are some benefits experts have identified we'd love to share with you.
- Posture Improvement: With kneeling chairs, the pelvis is tilted forward and the spine adopts the correct alignment. Opening the pelvis doesn’t just help correct spinal alignment and posture, there are other benefits such as improved breathing and digestion as well. Digestion is also improved because the internal organs of the abdomen have to contend with less compression when the pelvis is in this open position.
- Core Muscle Improvement: With continued use of your kneeling chair, your core and back muscles gradually strengthen. This is because you are engaging your back and abdominal muscles in the absence of a back rest to support you.
- Pain Relief:
- Kneeling chairs create a 110° trunk/thigh angle as compared to the traditional 90° trunk/thigh angle position with a traditional chair. This can greatly reduce the pressure in the disc of your spine when you sit.
- Your hips slide forward when seated in a kneeling chair, which is beneficial, because in doing so, your weight is more evenly distributed and your back, neck and shoulders are aligned. This eliminates stress on the lower back and reduces spinal compression.
So you are probably wondering, what about the cons and some tips? Kneeling chairs are not perfect, so we also compiled some tips for you:
- Move: We encourage you to get up and move around every 45 minutes or so, and your body will thank you for it.
- Mix it Up: You can switch between your traditional chair and your kneeling chair, so your legs can move around more. Better yet, get a standing desk and switch between standing and sitting on your kneeling chair.
- Adjust: everyone's body is different, but thankfully our kneeling chairs allow you to adjust the height. Adjust the height, the way you sit, and find what works best for you. Here's a blog entry on how to use a kneeling chair you should check out.
If you ever have any questions, feel free to drop us a message at info@theperfectperch.com, and we'd love to help you take full advantage of your new perch :)