graceh@linus.UUCP (Grace L. Hammonds) (08/20/83)
Because of crunch I have been in for the last few months, I have had to
often spend 12-hour or longer days at my terminal. The office chair I
happened to be using was your usual swival arm chair. Needless to
say, I was throwing my back into all kinds of strange positions to keep
comfortable (e.g., practically lying straight out with my arms stretched
out in front of me to reach the keyboard, honest!). I became
increasingly concerned about the risk of causing permanent back
problems, as well as worsening my already poor posture, so after seeing
an advertisement for a new type of chair, and finding it locally, I
decided to buy it, and have been using it for about two weeks. I'd like
to know if anyone has seen or heard any information about this chair,
studies of its effectiveness, for instance.
It is called the 'balans' chair, a European product that is basically
just a padded seat slanted downward slightly at about a 20 degree angle,
with pads in front to support the knees and legs so that you can sit with
your legs folded underneath you, toes pointed back. One model has a
rocker base (the one I bought), but another comes with a stationary
base that can be adjusted for height and angle. This
quote comes directly out of an ad for the chair:
"Your back's best friend. The first intelligent chair.
Developed by a team of designers, doctors and physical
therapists, it allows your body to relax in a position of
natural balance, with a minimal use of muscles, ample room
for the inner organs, better circulation and a free diaphragm
for easier breathing. The chair needs no back rest.
Instead, your back falls into a state of natural support.
Your spine automatically straightens, your muscles relax,
your breathing becomes deep and full...
Conventional chairs bend the body at a 90 degree angle,
compressing the stomach and discs in the lower back, often
causing neck, back or stomach discomfort. But the Balans
Chair helps relieve pain in the back, neck, hip joints and
upper legs. Used in factories, offices and homes worldwide,
Balans helps executives, children and even pregnant women to
feel better."
I bought it for $189.00 (I was feeling impulsive that day) plus tax at a
store in the Boston area.
I can say from my own experience that it indeed allows you to sit
upright without the need to fall back onto a backrest. However,
continuing my unusually long schedule, I have noticed a strain around
the shoulders, possibly because there is no arm rest so my arms tend to
"hang" unsupported as I work. I may also be experiencing the
"awakening" of muscles I never used before, and for this reason I
haven't given up on it yet. But I am concerned that I might be doing
more damage now than before!
Does anyone else have experience with or information on this or any
other chair that might be particularly good for us terminal watchers?
Note: I am aware that working shorter hours, and taking frequent
breaks, is the best thing for my back.
Apologies if this topic has appeared here recently before.
--
--Grace Hammonds
{allegra,genrad,ihnp4,utzoo,philabs,uw-beaver}!linus!graceh (UUCP)
linus!graceh@mitre-bedford (ARPA)barbaral@tekig1.UUCP (08/22/83)
I have seen the chair you are talking about at SCAN DESIGN (scandinavian furniture store) in Beaverton.