As an osteopaths we often get asked what type of chair a patient with lower back pain should have .However lower back pain like most chronic painful conditions involves much more than physical factors like the way we sit, bend and lift but is reliant on other issues such a patients job satisfaction, their activity levels, their sleep, their thoughts, fears and mood .
Therefore, it is hardly surprising that changing a single thing in a persons life (e.g. the chair) without addressing any other potentially relevant factors (e.g. their job satisfaction, their activity levels, their sleep, their thoughts, fears and mood) is often ineffective.
Research has been done recently to examine the different types of chairs available on the market and it appears that while using a backrest may appear to help reduce back muscle tension to some extent, there is no clear evidence that using a backrest affects the development of Lower Back Pain. The use of a sloping chair (like a kneeler chair) did not appear to help reduce Lower Back pain either (in fact, if anything they were found to be slightly provocative).
Research also suggests that sitting on a dynamic(wobbly chair) and/or stool did not prevent lower back pain either and therefore investing (often large sums of money) in a new chair is often NOT necessary. In summary Lower Back Pain is usually not just about the chair or indeed any other uni-dimensional factor but the factors mentioned above.
If you wish to discuss this further either call 07951381265 or visit our web site www.rotheryhealth.com
