The new buzzword for supportive office seating in South Africa is “orthopaedic” chairs. The question is how do they differ from ergonomic chairs? Is one type of office chair better than the other?
At first glance, the two chairs look remarkably similar. They both have the same moulded body structure and elements of adjustability and mobility.
So, why the new class of chair? It all boils down to application.
Ergonomic chairs are designed to prevent injuries to the neck, shoulders, back and legs.
Orthopaedic office chairs are built to support people suffering from pre-existing medical conditions of the lower back and spine, like scoliosis, sciatica, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis.
The easiest way to differentiate one type of chair from the other is to take a closer look at each.
What is an ergonomic chair?
An ergonomic chair is constructed to support the contours and movement of the human body. It takes posture, comfort and freedom of movement into account.
The natural curvature of the spine is accommodated in the design of the chair, which can easily be adjusted to match an individual’s height, shape and size.
Key features of a quality ergonomic office chair
Comfort and agility
As we rarely sit completely still for hours, the best ergonomic chairs adapt to constantly changing positions.
Throughout one day, a person will reach for the phone, move from one area of the desk to another, lean back, lean forward and stretch your arms above your head.
An ergonomic chair is flexible, supportive and provides a heightened level of comfort via a padded foam backrest, headrest and seat, all of which are moulded to fit the human shape.
The seat edge is rounded off to avoid undue pressure on the upper legs and restricted blood flow. Castors are fitted to a stable base to enable easy mobility around the work space.
Adjustability
Adjustability is key for a well-designed and constructed office chair.
The height and depth of the seat, inclination of the backrest and support for the lumbar region are all customisable.
Synchronous swivel mechanism
Best-quality ergonomic office chairs are fitted with a synchronous swivel mechanism. When the chair is adjusted, both the backrest and seat move as one, and in the same direction.
This type of swivel mechanism alleviates pressure on the back and hips, improves blood circulation, maintains the natural curvature of the spine, and helps to reduce pain and fatigue in the lower back.
A synchronous swivel mechanism is more advanced than a permanent-contact swivel system, where only the inclination of the backrest is adjustable, and not the seat.
Independent ergonomic certification
Not all “ergonomic” office chairs are what they claim to be. They may look authentic, but they are anything but flexible, supportive and adjustable.
Office chair manufacturers and distributors now have items independently certified ergonomic by reputable third parties. If they can’t provide original certification, they have not satisfied the required standards.
So, how is an orthopaedic chair different?
What is an orthopaedic chair?
An orthopaedic chair is designed to relieve the pain and discomfort of people living with lower back conditions. It has all the elements of an ergonomic chair but with enhanced adjustability.
Free-floating swivel mechanism
The definitive feature of an orthopaedic chair is the unique swivel system. Rather than a synchronous or permanent contact system, it is equipped with a free-floating swivel mechanism.
This type of mechanism allows the user to adjust the backrest and seat independently of each other.
That allows for more precise and personalised adjustments to the structure of the chair. It offers the best possible support to individuals with spinal injuries or orthopaedic conditions.
As for which type of office chair is better than the other? The answer is neither. They are both equally efficient at fulfilling their respective roles.
Where to buy certified ergonomic office chairs online
K-Mark offers a wide range of fully customisable office chairs for sale to businesses nationwide.
Our ergonomic office chairs are independently certified by Ergomax, the leading ergonomic consultancy in Africa.
Shop online now or call us on 021 555 2039 for more information about our manufacturing process, quality products or professional office chair repairs service.
