It is no secret that the human skeleton did not evolve to sit for great lengths of time, let alone sit in a cubicle all day. The natural position of the spine is a standing position, and sitting for a long period places unnatural stress and pressure on the vertebrae in the back. This strain takes a toll over time and can lead to a host of physical problems, such as consistent pain, pinched discs, and permanently curved spine.

The results of continually sitting also include a host of other symptoms that can upset an individual's overall quality of life and work. Back pain developed from poor sitting positions can affect sleep quality which over time will decrease mental alertness and increase irritability and distractibility. Similarly, back discomfort can make exercise, a key element to productivity and physical fitness, challenging.

Yet it is not just sitting that can cause these lasting issues, but how and where we sit. Certain types of chairs, such as those made from rigid materials that can tear or rip your work dresses, or those that don't provide adequate back support, accelerate back issues. It is a mystery then why so many offices are full of metal chairs that feature back rests shorter than the average human back!

A key way to combat the strain that occurs over time if you work sitting down all day is using an ergonomic office chair. These ergonomically designed devices can help reduce the strain of sitting for long periods of time and reduce the impact on both mind and body. An ergonomically designed office chair has been specially crafted to promote back support. It allows individuals to personally tailor vital things like seat height, seat depth, back rest angle, and lumbar support to conform to the particulars of each unique body. They also provide padding on the seat to soften pressure on the pelvic joints, a common culprit in the development of lower back problems and pelvic arthritis.

Ergonomic chairs are more expensive than traditional office chairs, but they are worth the investment. If your company does not currently stock its office with quality chairs, it is a valuable upgrade to lobby for. It is hard to believe that a chair can make that much of a difference in your life, but when you realize you are spending eight hours a day five days a week in it the relationship become easier to understand.

Performing your best at work is already challenging enough. You have to fight traffic, fight inter office competition, fight fatigue, fight threats of downsizing, and fight office politics. The last thing you want to have to fight is your office chair and the toll it tries to take on your physical and mental well being!