Most of us spend about half of our waking day at work, sitting down, so it makes sense to try to make sure that we are as comfortable as possible during that time. Being comfortable at work will help to improve your productivity and prevent repetitive strain injury and general day-to-day injuries. At O’Sullivans Mobility Aids we stock an extensive rang of cushions, back supports and pillows.
Why Choosing the right Chair Cushion is Important?
Cushions do far more than just provide padding for your buttocks. The help to support your spine and take the pressure off certain muscles. A good cushion can help to stimulate circulation, and make it easier for you to maintain good posture. This will have the knock-on effect of ensuring that your head is at the right angle to look at the screen, and your arms/wrists and shoulders are at the correct angle when typing. Supporting your posterior chain will have a knock-on effect on your whole body alignment. It is also worth noting that you should raise/ lower your PC screen to suit your back.
A Look at The most Common Types of Seat Cushion
There are three main types of seat cushion. The most common choice is the standard seat cushion that sits on the chair itself. There are also lumbar support cushions, and two-piece cushions that include a part for the coccyx and one for the back. Let’s take a look at each in turn.
Seat Cushions
Seat cushions are small, relatively flat pads that are designed to support your coccyx and take pressure off the buttocks. They are designed for people who suffer from sciatica or have pain in their tailbone, and for people who find office chars too hard. They are relatively small and portable, and usually just sit on the chair like a normal cushion, so they could be picked up and moved around if necessary. They can be used on almost any form of chair or seat – in the office, in your car, or while on an airplane.
Back Support Cushions
Back support cushions sit at the bottom of the chair back and have a convex padded area that helps the spine to achieve a neutral position. They usually have straps that will slip over or velcro around the chair to hold the cushion in place. They come in various sizes, and it is important to choose the right size to ensure that you are sitting in a comfortable posture. Back support cushions can be used with car seats or on office chairs. If they are fitted correctly then they will stop you from slouching, and support your spine, keeping you feeling alert for longer.
Full Chair Cushions With Support for Seat and Back
Full chair cushions combine the coccyx support with lumbar support, and sometimes run further up the chair, offering support for the neck or a headrest as well. These tend to be quite big and bulky, and are secured to the chair itself with straps or ties to prevent them slipping. This means that they cannot be moved from chair to chair as easily.
Neck cushions, Pillows
Our necks and shoulders take the weight of our head and upper back resulting in significant stress and strain. Poor posture can result in neck and shoulder injuries, luckily this can prevented by the use of cushions and supports that realign our spine and neck. Pillows are essential when sleeping as incorrectly lying in bed for 8 hours a day can result in chronic injury.
Tips of Choosing the Best Cushion
There are many different considerations that you would need to remember when choosing a cushion, including the ergonomics, the material, the way the cushion attaches to the chair, and how easily it can be cleaned.
Securing The Cushion
If you have your own private office then you may not mind using a full chair cushion that is tied to the office chair. However, if you move around a lot or do a lot of travelling, something more portable such as a comfort foam seat cushion may be a better option. Many truck drivers have custom seat covers with massage beads on them, which help to prevent deep vein thrombosis. They then carry other cushions for other parts of their job.
Cleaning The Cushion
Some cushions are covered with faux leather and wipe clean easily. Others have removable fabric covers. Some have fixed fabric covers, however, making them harder to clean. If you work in a hot office where people tend to get sweaty then this might be a problem for you. Choose something easy to clean.
Shape and Size of the Cushion
Shape and size matters for two reasons – portability (if you will be using the cushion for travel), and ergonomics. A cushion that is too high for you will make sitting uncomfortable and put pressure on your thighs. One that has too much of a curve in the lower back will make your posture awkward, and is just as bad as sitting in a chair with no cushion. Pay attention to sizing options, and if possible test the cushion in real life before you buy it.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at 025 24656, online using our live chat app or via email at info@osullivansaids.ie