Orthopedic Chairs

Orthopedic furniture is designed to help relieve stress on the skeletal structure, to encourage good posture, and even to encourage increased productivity. They range from cushions that can be added to a standard desk chair to automated reclining chairs that can include assistance with sitting and standing. There are even orthopedic dog couches for your canine best friend – yes, that really is a thing. Orthopedic dog couches or beds for the old dog that has been your faithful companion, but now is becoming afflicted with the aches and pains of age.

What are the different types of orthopedic chairs?

Kneeling Chairs

Kneeling chairs encourage putting more of one’s weight on shins and thighs, with less on buttocks. They also encourage correct posture. Reviewers say that these chairs take a little getting used to as you will be using more of your core muscles in this position, but that they are great for relieving stress and lower back pain. Because you will not have back support, they tend to help fend off the urge to become so relaxed that you are sleeping at your desk.

Recliners

If you need to get the weight off your lower parts completely, a recliner can help you transfer it to your back. This is an especially good position for someone who needs to place feet at or above heart level for a good portion of the day. Some of the motorized orthopedic recliners are set up to assist the user with getting into and out of the chair, placing minimal strain on the lower back because the chair will gently sit down with your or stand you back up on your feet. Some of them come with a desk unit that has a handle that can act as a cane for stability.

Gravity chairs, or bungee chairs as they are sometimes called, are also a good choice for lower back pain relief. The chair design does most of the work of getting up or down, and – when reclined – they can boost heels above head.

Cushions

If you simply need to get the weight off your coccyx, a cushion could be the answer. Sometimes referred to as a “donut” because the earliest models were a pillow with a hole in the middle, these cushions can be a relief for the pain caused by sitting for extended lengths of time. They support hips and thighs while allowing the central area to be free from pressure.

Orthopedic Chairs for Human’s Best Friend

While dogs do not have the burden of walking upright, they can become arthritic and some of the larger breeds are prone to hip dysplasia. Getting up off a surface – no matter how comfortable – can become a problem, as can finding a comfortable resting position. An orthopedic dog couch is high enough off the floor to keep it free from drafts and to allow your friend to get down, rather than up when he or she wants to move. A soft, rollback can give a place to rest a chin.

If you and your canine best friend are having trouble with seating, there are orthopedic choices available for you both.

Does a day in the office feel like torture because you have to deal with neck pain or sciatic pain thanks to your desk job? Have you tried exploring standing desks and office chairs, but all to no avail? Well, if this is you right now, take a deep breath and relax because a kneeling chair could be the best reply to those pains that reduce your work efficiency.

Kneeling chairs help to put your entire back at ease because and to maintain a natural curve in your lower back - to remove the pressure. In this article, you'll learn more about the different types, what to consider before you buy one, and frequently asked questions that'll make your quest easy.

What Types of Kneeling Chairs Are There?

In reality, you can't just go for any kneeling chair that appeals to you. It has to give you the required ease you need while you work. So, we outlined the major types of kneeling chairs to provide you with a head start:

Kneeler Chair with Back Support

This kneeling chair comes with a backrest as an optional accessory or built-in mechanism. It's quite useful for people that intend to spend a lot of time in their kneeling chair - but take short breaks to maintain the default upright position. This model is perfect for those that have a medical condition.

Double Knee Pad Chairs

The double knee pad chair looks like a rocker with separate pads for each knee. With its design, your hips, thighs, and legs will be at an optimal angle with minimal effort because it forces your thigh to open up. The only snag about this chair is that it restricts your thigh angles. But, if you don't mind, you can put a foot on the knee pad to change things up from time to time.

Sit-Stand Kneeling Chair

It's a combination of a kneeling chair and standing leaning chair. So, it allows an entire range of posture like kneeling, standing, and sitting. You can even get a lot of health benefits from this chair if you use it properly.

X-frame Kneeling Chair

As the name suggests, the chair has an x-frame that enhances structural stability. It usually comes with wheels to improve mobility. It's a perfect go-to if you want a simple kneeling chair that's cost-effective and easily adjustable.

Single Knee Pad Chair

The single knee pad chair comes with one-piece knee support that's thickly padded to support your knees. The design is perfect for people that like to adjust their sitting posture continually. An advantage of using this type of kneeling chair is that it allows for varied thigh angles as you sit, from closed to open.

Saddle Kneeling Chair

This kneeling chair comes with a saddle-shaped seat pad. The curved seat design helps to improve the posture in the cervical and lumbopelvic region. In other words, you'll have reduced neck and back pain with this chair. Thanks to its divided saddle seat, it works well for men who want to reduce perineal pressure.

Rocking Kneeling Chair

The rocking kneeling chair comes with a forward sloping seat and curved frame. The design allows gentle rocking - especially when you lean backward. Since the chair introduces constant movements as you sit, it will help to reduce back pain. The snag with this chair is that it isn't height adjustable - so, not everyone can benefit from the furniture.

Should I Get a Kneeling Chair With a Back Rest?

A backrest seems like the best way to maintain a good posture while you work. But, with kneeling chairs, this feature isn't necessary because it puts you in the perfect position without the backrest.

If you feel that you'll need to lean back occasionally, you can go for a kneeling chair with backrest - especially if you have a medical condition. But if you don't, we suggest that you take regular breaks from sitting on any chair.

This way, your postural muscles will rest. In other words, if you need to stretch or lean back, stand up instead.

What Factors to Consider Before Buying a Kneeling Chair?

When you go hunting for an excellent kneeling chair, you have to consider the following factors:

Balancing Ability

When it comes to balancing on a kneeling chair, we have two basic styles: rockers and coasters. It's always best to consider one that rocks. A rocking kneeling chair doesn't stop at engaging your core. It also helps you stretch out your lower back.

There's more.

The rocking chair helps keep your mind quiet and focused throughout the day. No doubt, you can't customize its height and angles, but it adds motion to your workday. When you go shopping, you'll notice that some models appear to rock, but the bottoms are flat.

This model isn't the ideal rocking chair because it doesn't give you the freedom to move. So, it's best to buy the proper rocking kneeling chair - which is the model that looks like it's supporting itself with its legs alongside knee pads that serve as stoppers and weight bearers.

If you prefer a more static option while you work, the coaster kneeling chair is the way to go. Plus, it moves across the floor with ease compared to the rocker option.

Knee Pad Angle

The knee pad angle is one of the most important features you should look for in a kneeling chair.

Why?

It's because the whole idea behind creating a kneeling chair was to offer you a different option of sitting. Ideally, a kneeling chair should allow you to open up your hips and adjust your posture from your lumbar spine up.

What's the logic behind the chair?

The logic behind this furniture is that when you tilt your pelvis forward and open your hips from your front body, you're allowing your lower spine to curve in naturally. This posture helps to eliminate the C-shape that forms when we sit in a regular chair.

It's essential to avoid kneeling chairs that have kneeling pads without angles. Instead, you should consider going for kneeling chairs that have seats between 120^o^ and 130^o^ compared to the flat 90^o^ of regular chairs.

Distance Between Seat and Knee Pad

If you'll be the only person making use of the kneeling chair, it's crucial to get one relative to your body size. For instance, if you get a non-adjustable chair and your height is about 6"4" - the purpose is defeated.

The reason is that the non-adjustable chairs usually have enough wiggle room for people between 5"2"-6"2". In this case, you have to go for a kneeling chair that will allow for both seat angle and height adjustment - to avoid back and sciatic issues in the future.

Some more FAQs

When is it ideal to use kneeling chairs?

It's ideal to use a kneeling chair when you have short-term tasks that require forward reach.

What's the best way to use a kneeling chair?

You should start by sitting in your kneeling chair before you proceed to the kneeling position. This method takes the bulk of your weight to your bottom - while the knee pad supports your shins and knees.

Are kneeling stools easy to assemble?

The kneeling stools come with fewer parts compared to the traditional office chair. And it takes under thirty minutes to assemble the furniture fully.

Is the kneeling chair good for the hips?

Yes, it is. A kneeling chair helps your hips slide forward. When this happens, your weight gets evenly distributed. Consequently, your neck, back, and shoulders align - which means there'll be less stress on your lower back and no spinal compression.

How does the kneeling chair help sciatica?

The kneeling chair helps with sciatica by supporting your upper body on your buttocks. It also takes some support from the lower part of your leg - which increases the surface area in contact with the chair. That way, it reduces pressure on your back legs as you sit and relieves the strain on your sciatic nerve.

Are kneeling chairs terrible for the knees?

Since kneeling chairs confine your legs to one position, it tends to slow circulation to your legs and increase pressure under your kneecaps. So, it could be terrible for your knees if you're particularly tall or you sit for a long time.

Are kneeling chairs a good idea if you experience coccyx pain?

The kneeling chair helps you tilt your pelvis forward, but it puts some pressure on your coccyx. The good news: some kneeling chair options come with a coccyx relief cut out section, which reduces the pressure on your coccyx.

Can you get shin pain from using a kneeling chair?

Well, shin pain is possible - especially when you're not used to a kneeling chair. A rule of thumb is to start slow at first - maybe 20 minutes, and increase it over time when you're more comfortable. Your old chair should be close by as well to switch with ease for comfort.

Kneeling chairs are great for relieving you from a great deal of back pain. But there're certain precautions you should take: approach it patiently, use it short-term, and ensure that everything you need is within your reach before you sit.

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