Proper Sitting Postures

Proper sitting postures are important for a healthy spine.  Here’s some helpful tips!

• Sit in a firm chair.  Soft couches and soft chairs should be avoided.
• Chairs with armrests are preferred if you need support to stand up from the seated position.
• Sit up tall with your shoulders over your hips.  Do not hunch forward!
• Relax your shoulders, pulling them downward away from your ears.
• Place a small cushion or lumbar support in the small of your back if your chair does not have a lumbar support. Your back should be up against the backrest.
• Your body weight should be evenly distributed between both hips.
• Both feet should be flat on the floor.
• Knees should be hip distance apart.
• Knees should either be at hip level or above hip level.  Knees should never be below hip level! If they are, the chair must be lowered or a foot rest inserted under the feet.
• The chin should be level with the floor.  Do not look down!  If you are looking at a computer monitor, it should be at eye level.  The head should neither be tilted up or down.
• If using a keyboard, keep the forearms and wrists parallel to the floor.
• Stay out of recliners! The reclining position is bad for your back.

Try to change positions every 15-20 minutes.  Even if you are sitting in a proper posture, you should not sit for hours without getting up and moving around.  Either stand up and stretch or walk around periodically.

To learn more about proper sitting postures or correct problems that have occurred from sitting in bad positions, call our office at 330-758-4446!