ergonomic desk chair?

[speeder]

Calling on the collective brain power of the Pelican OT board to help me find one of those Swedish(?) desk chairs w/ no back, ie. your ankles tuck behind a padded bar and it sort of balances you in a correct posture position. Sound familiar? THey've been around for years, but I can't remember what they're called.

Any web links to them would be appreciated. TIA, pinkos and rednecks alike!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Killed my back.

Went to a nice leather-covered executive chair. Don't buy into the hype.

[RickM]

I forget the name of the first one but they're pretty much known as kneeling or Knee chairs. Is this what you're talking about?



Different models here..... http://www.vitalityweb.com/backstore/Kneeling-chair.htm

I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

[B D]

Here is what I have and reccomend, it's the 911 of chairs!

http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/Thumbnail/0,1593,a8-c440-pc1,00.html

[RickM]

You know the chair.....

[masraum]

At the last place I worked someone had one. They are pretty comfy when adjusted right, and they enforce good posture.

Speaking of ergonomics...
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/pdfs/contoured_ps2.pdf

[ZAMIRZ]

We have chairs from "relax the back" store in Tarzana in our office, they work great, are extremely adjustable (about 6 levers per chair) and promote good posture. The leather on them is also pretty high-quality. I'd suggest checking them out, they're on Ventura Blvd. about 1/4 mile east of Reseda.

[SilverPoly]

We have those Aeron chairs here at work and they're an absolute dream. I have had one of those knee chairs w/ no back at home and I didn't like them at all.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I use a Kinesis Classic QD keyboard at work and a Wacom tablet instead of a mouse. The only combination that keeps my carpal tunnel syndrome at bay.

[speeder]

Just got home. Thanks, fellas, for the replies! I need to run out again, but I will use the suggestions here as a starting point. So the "knee chairs" are bogus? Please keep the opinions coming, I really need help. I have a herniated disc, (surgery 18 mo. ago was not 100% successful), and the time that I spend w/ you guys on Pelican has become a health hazard.

I'm sure there is someone out there who would suggest that I just lay off the computer, but that advice is a non-starter until my health policy starts covering P.A.S., otherwise known as, "Pelican Addiction Syndrome".

[BlueSkyJaunte]

My serious suggestion is, for home surfing, to get a light (and cool-running) laptop with wireless, a Lay-Z-Boy, and kick your feet up.

[lendaddy]

Just as a note to the backpain guys. My father had several surguries over the years for his "herniated disc". He did the traction thing and all, the pain would actually put him down maybe once a year. Anyway, the point is he had sleep aptnia(sp) as well and ended up at University of Michigan for a couple days worth of sleep studies. They found out he wasn't sleeping hardly at all. Once they discovered this they asked if he had back pain and said it was likely due to the fact that your muscles never really relax until you are in deep sleep. (boy what a rant) anyway he now takes sleep medication and has not had any back pain since(8-10 years now). Worth noting atleast.

[speeder]

Thanks, Len, that's interesting info. I am planning on upgrading my bedding as well, it's going to be a multi-faceted attack on bad ergonomics. A proper night's sleep on the right kind of mattress is a huge part of the overall plan, whatever it entails to accomplish that. (IE., your Dad's medication). Glad to hear about his relief.

Blue, it's funny you should say that because I am going to be in the laptop market soon. I've already asked in another thread, but what brand do you like? How about wireless internet on the road? I was considering a Sprint PCS card that goes in the computer(?). TIA.

[MFAFF]

Gotta agree with Blue, no chair is good for long periods if you have back pain.

With the laptop you can move from chair to couch to lazy-boy etc. That will mena you do not put any strain on any part of the back but vary it a little over time, hopefully you will not have too much pain.

Since we became Pc based at work the number of people with back trouble has increased, as before we were sitting, standing, perched on stools etc as needed, Much better for both posture and general flexibility....

We use the Hermann Miller chairs, they are the most suitable but still not what I'd want to spend huge amounts of time in....

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've sworn off Wintel purchases for the foreseeable future. I like my 15" Apple PowerBook a lot.

[RickM]

Originally posted by speeder
Thanks, Len, that's interesting info. I am planning on upgrading my bedding as well, it's going to be a multi-faceted attack on bad ergonomics. A proper night's sleep on the right kind of mattress is a huge part of the overall plan, whatever it entails to accomplish that. (IE., your Dad's medication). Glad to hear about his relief.

I hurt my back in my early twenties when I picked up the heavy end of a metal lathe. The proverbial thrown back. I had problems from that point on with a thrown back once or twice a year resulting in a week out of work per occurance.

Fast forward to my late thirties....just move into a new house and I go to jump into bed and it's 6" higher. WTF...???? My wife admits she went out and bought a new mattress and box spring on sale for $2k. Woof.

Long story short, I never had a problem with my back again. The quality does matter. Also, I always bought extra firm mattresses thinking they were best. Not so.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by RickM
You know the chair.....

Believe it or not, I built one of these one (sort of). I used to see this in the magazines when I was in highschool. I said, "I can build that!"

My brother worked in the school auto shop and got this seat out of a Chevette. Red material and vinyl back. I went down to then surplus store and found old Gov't surplus secretary desk chair. Like from the 1950's. Lacking the proper tools to cut it, I drilled out the screws that held the seat on. Burned up 2 bits that way.

Then I attached the seat to some plywood and attached it to the chair base. Never did I consider that the car seat weighed a ton and the 4 castor base was completely instable. I took it with me to college freshmen year and it was a hit however. Lost track of it.


I only wanted to share b/c I knew I'd have an audience here. If I ever get sport seats, I'll probably do the same thing with my factory seats...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Not to pimp for any particular company but I've had a Select Comfort bed for 6 years now and my back problems are greatly reduced compared to my regular mattress years. Just keep it at 60+.