NEXposture is proud to be featured in a Crain's Detroit Business story on how local Michigan entrepreneurs responded to remote office work. Here's the article https://bit.ly/3KqTBKd
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The popularity of sit-to-stand desks has skyrocketed as the solution to solve ergonomic desking problems —and for good reason.
Unlike regular desks, sit-to-stand desks are touted by ergonomic experts, and have been for well over a decade now to solve our aches and pains . However, more and more studies show that standing desks alone can’t fix or prevent common back and neck pain caused by working at a desk.
Below, we outline the science behind both sitting and standing, and the best option for continued healthfulness while working during the day.
When Dr. James Levine published his research, it started a revolution that led to standing desks.
Proponents of standing desks claim the desks reduce obesity, burn calories, and help those with back problems. They also declare that sitting is the new smoking.
Conversely, there are many articles about standing desks that are far less complimentary. For example, Dr. David Rempel, a professor of medicine at the University of California - San Francisco stated that:
“well-meaning professionals are pushing standing desks as a way to burn calories and as a way to improve cardiovascular health, but there is no scientific evidence to support this recommendation.”
While standing at work can help decrease discomfort, standing too long during the workday can have negative health impacts, such as foot and leg pain, and long term vascular issues. In fact, one 2018 study showed that using a standing desk for up to 2 hours can cause fatigue and muscle aches.
While the truth may lie somewhere in the middle, the fact remains that even active standing desk users still sit for 70% or more time during the day, and most often in a static upright and/or forward slumping posture.
Studies have consistently shown that the more sedentary time a person has, the more at risk they are for health issues, such as:
However, we all know that we prefer to sit while working at our desks more often than not. And when sitting, the most healthful posture to assume while working is reclinining while sitting.
While this seems like a pipe dream, research has shown for quite some time that reclining and postures and continuous movement pumps nutrients into the intervertebral discs and reduces the load on the lumbar spine and paraspinal musculature through the transfer of upper body weight to the chair. This is significant, as this reduces forces on the lower back by as much as 20 percent.
So, if standing or sitting alone isn’t the answer, then what is? And what desk should you buy, a regular or standing desk?
The key is to find moderation between both healthful sitting and standing postures. However, this can’t be done with your ordinary or standing desk alone.
“Not a day goes by where I'm not asked about whether someone needs a sit-to-stand desk. They've become very popular recently, and I think they're great for some people. However, not necessarily for everyone. What I do find, is when I return to an office setting a year later, very often folks who have been provided with a sit/stand desk are no longer using the standing feature and spend their time sitting in static upright or forward slumping postures.” - Marc A. Turina, MPT, CPE
While standing in moderation is great (and healthy), active standing desk users still end up sitting for 70% of the time. So, why not sit comfortably and ergonomically?
Our Sit-to-Stand base model promotes healthful sitting and standing postures, with its patent pending, adjustable sliding work-surface. Designed by former Herman Miller ergonomic seating director, NEXposture is designed to sync your desktop with your ergonomic chair to combat the neck and back pain caused by all-too-common computer slumping postures and lack of movement.
Learn more about how NEXposture is revolutionizing the desk and chair relationship and take 15% off your first order + free shipping with promo code NEXPOSTURE15! We also offer a complimentary ergonomic consultation with every purchase, and a free 30-day return policy.
]]>How does ergonomics improve productivity?
Ergonomics affects our mood, and our mood affects our productivity and motivation to work. Therefore, having proper ergonomics in the office directly relates to our productivity in the workplace.
As comfort, cleanliness, and collaboration affect our mood, ensuring that our employees are comfortable increases productivity, workplace culture, and your company’s bottom line.
Below, we outline the three main ways an ergonomic office can improve your employees’ productivity and your company culture overall.
As humans, we’re far more productive when we’re in a good mood. Whether it’s being more productive with our career or personal life, mood and productivity directly correlate with one another.
The connection between ergonomics and productivity in the workplace starts when ergonomics are sacrificed. Our mood is negatively affected when ergonomics are sacrificed. In a study by National Business Furniture, 54% of employees said an uncomfortable workstation, such as a chair or desk, makes them unhappy at work.
When employees are unhappy, their productivity and quality of work are subsequently negatively impacted. Nearly one in two employees (47%) said their workspace influences their level of productivity, and 42% said their workspace influences their quality of work.
Therefore, when proper ergonomics are sacrificed, our productivity lacks— research proves it.
To positively impact our employees’ productivity, we must focus on keeping them happy and learn how ergonomics improves productivity.
Implementing simple strategies to improve job satisfaction can help increase productivity in the workplace. These strategies are the three C’s: Cleanliness, Collaboration, and Comfort.
Comfort
More than half of American workers said that having an uncomfortable workspace is the source of unhappiness in the workplace. As an entrepreneur, or leader in a business, we often forget about the positive impact proper ergonomics can have in our workplace.
Cleanliness
Keeping a workspace clutter-free is crucial in promoting job satisfaction. Encouraging employees to stay organized, as well as cleaning regularly with professional services, can help put your employees in a better mood at work.
Collaboration
National Business Furniture states that 43% of American workers value having both private and collaborative areas to work.
Therefore, businesses should incorporate collaboration through common spaces and meeting areas, as well as private spaces for employees to work independently.
Focusing on having an ergonomic workspace including the desk and chair, can greatly impact employee mood and productivity.
Learn more from NEXposture’s Ergonomic Research here.
So, how does ergonomics improve productivity? Nowadays, an ergonomic workstation is necessary to ensure employee productivity and low turnover rates.
NEXposture's patent pending, adjustable sliding work-surface was designed to sync with an ergonomic chair to combat the neck and back pain caused by all-too-common computer slumping postures and lack of movement.
Backed by licensed physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist Marc Turina, NEXposture revolutionizes the chair and desk relationship.
Contact us today to receive a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help improve the ergonomics in your workplace!
]]>Is reclining good for your body?
Did you know that research suggests that sitting up straight for hours at a time (i.e. when working at your home office) may lead to chronic back pain?
Contrary to what our mom told us, the best posture for your body is actually a slightly reclined posture. However, reclining today while working at the computer is nearly impossible because it increases the distance between our eyes and monitor, diminishing visual acuity while pulling our hands away from the keyboard.
As a result, we know that the majority of people assume a forward head, rounded shoulder (FHRS) posture. This type of posture wears on the discs and soft tissue supporting the spine.
Below, certified professional ergonomist and licensed physical therapist Marc A. Turina establishes the three main benefits to reclined postures, and how you can achieve this healthful posture going forward.
Did you know that standing puts the least amount of stress on the spine and its supportive musculature?
However, we certainly don’t want to stand all the time, especially when we’re working as standing for long periods of time can contribute to swollen feet, lower limb muscle fatigue, leg cramps, lower back problems as well as vein and cardiovascular problems.
When we're sitting, a reclined sitting posture of 110-115 degrees is the best posture. This is because it’s more similar to the optimal standing position. To effectively recline while working at the computer, however, you need a complete ergonomic system which includes both a proper chair and a supportive desk.
Done with neck and back pain while working? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
When we recline in our chairs, our spine is supported by the backrest. Research has consistently shown that somewhere between a 125-degree and a 135-degree recline best relieves the amount of stress through the interpretable discs.
However, without the support of a headrest, reclined angles of 110-115 degrees are optimal to maintain a correct line of sight with the monitor.
Additionally, research continues to show that reclining postures pump nutrients into the intervertebral discs. This also reduces the load on the lumbar spine and paraspinal musculature through the transfer of upper body weight to the chair. Additionally, this can reduce forces on the lower back by as much as 20 percent.
This is extremely important, as continuous excessive force on the spine leads to:
Is reclining good for your body? Done with neck and back pain while working? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
People with poor posture (rounded shoulders, tight pectoral muscles, forward heads) tend to have trouble establishing a good breathing pattern. Humans and animals take short, shallow breaths when they’re stressed or threatened.
This type of breathing, called shallow breathing, is opposite of abdominal breathing. We can do this for short periods of time when stressed, but we aren’t made to be on alert all the time.
The typical consequences of long-term shallow breathing include:
With all this said, it makes sense that research continues to suggest that poor posture leads to these negative consequences as well as depression and anxiety disorders.
However, assuming a health-positive posture leads to, “elevations in testosterone, increases in serotonin, decrease in cortisol, and increased feeling of power and tolerance for risk taking,” according to Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine.
Done with neck and back pain while working? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
“When we recline back in our chairs, our spines become supported by the backrest. This is actually a very good biomechanical posture for the spine. And a lot of research supports that reclined postures are optimal to relieve the amount of stress through the interpretable discs.” - Marc A. Turina, MPT, CPE
It’s true; when the constraint of desktop technology is removed, the vast majority of us prefer to sit in a semi-reclined or reclined posture. This is similar to the ones we assume while driving a car, chatting during casual conversations or sitting in our favorite chair in the living room.
So, why do we continue to hunch over and sacrifice our health while working?
Learn more about how NEXposture is revolutionizing the desk and chair relationship and take 15% off your first order + free shipping with promo code NEXPOSTURE15! We also offer a complimentary ergonomic consultation with every purchase, and a free 30-day return policy.
]]>It's time to learn how to create an ergonomic home office. Now that we’ve worked at home for over two years, stop sacrificing proper office ergonomics and comfort.
Here are some easy tips to make sure your home workspace is ergonomically correct and organized.
Proper ergonomics shouldn’t only follow us into the corporate office. That’s why we’re intent on providing people with health positive, exceptionally comfortable and enjoyable work environments, no matter the workspace.
During the height of COVID-19, close to 70% of full-time employees worked from home. This meant that most people had to suddenly shift any open space in their home into a makeshift office.
Although your home office might be in an unexpected location, any space can be transformed into a comfortable and healthful workspace with the right equipment and set-up.
It’s time to move away from the kitchen or card table as your makeshift desk and into something much more ergonomic and comfortable. If you’re working from a small space in your house or apartment, NEXposture produces a compact desk mini-mobile base that's the perfect fit.
Or, if you’re unwilling to part with your existing desk, no worries, we also offer our Retrofit model. This desk converter transforms any rectangular freestanding desk work surface or table into a solution to deliver the next level of comfort and ergonomic support.
Click here to learn more about our products and how to receive 15% off your first order + free shipping.
Studies have consistently proven that using an ergonomic desk can improve health, mood, productivity, and focus.
Standing desks are great, but we still sit for 70% of the time. Therefore, the majority of that time is in a static, forward slumping posture, which is not only uncomfortable but is also unhealthy.
Slumping strains neck muscles and tendons, while adding 40% of pressure to the lumbar region.
When reclining with NEXposture, the neck flexes automatically to balance the head’s center of gravity above the bottom of the neck reducing neck and shoulder muscle activity while constant movement reduces static stress.
Click here to learn more about our Sit-to-Stand base and how to receive 15% off your first order + free shipping.
Using the correct ergonomic chair can benefit your comfort, health, productivity and mood while using the correct desk.
There are approximately 6 main features of a good ergonomic chair, including easily adjustable seat height, lumbar support along with a well contoured seat or flexible mesh material.
However, it’s not enough to simply just use an ergonomic chair. Both your chair and desk need to work together as an ergonomically friendly workspace to achieve a premium level of comfort.
Our ergonomic work surfaces pair well with any ergonomic chair to maximize your comfort and productivity.
Due to your other important responsibilities at home, working from home can quickly become unorganized. Whether your home office is in your bedroom, dining room, or den space, it can get messy easily.
Furthermore, keeping a clean and correct set-up for your work can help you stay focused while working from home.
That’s why every NEXposture desk has a wire management system built into the active and customizable desktop, which takes one less mess out of your workspace.
Want to create an ergonomic home office? Learn more about how NEXposture revolutionizes the desk and chair relationship. Contact us today for more information.
]]>What makes a good ergonomic chair?
Working in an office (or home office) typically involves spending a lot of time sitting in front of a computer. It has been well documented that sitting in a static, unhealthy forward-slumping posture for long periods of time is detrimental to our health and can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
This is why it’s important to select an ergonomic chair to help eliminate back injuries and workers’ comp claims. However, a good ergonomic chair is not enough — the chair and the desk need to work together in harmony in order to establish a complete ergonomic system.
Below, certified professional ergonomist and licensed physical therapist Marc A. Turina details the 5+ main features of a good ergonomic chair — and why even though having one is a good starting point, it may not be enough.
Interested in learning how to establish a complete ergonomic system? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
Before considering the aesthetic design of an office chair, there are multiple features an ergonomic chair should possess, including:
One of the most important attributes of a good ergonomic chair is an adjustable seat height feature with a pneumatic adjustment lever. Typically, a seat height that ranges from 16 to 21 inches off the floor in order to accommodate the heights of most people, from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male.
This height adjustable range allows you to keep your feet solidly on the floor, with your thighs horizontal to the floor and arms even with the height of the desk.
Interested in learning how to establish a complete ergonomic system? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
An office chair that doesn’t have enough width and height to support your seating is not healthy for your body. Your seat should have a width of at least 17 to 20 inches. Additionally, the depth (the front to back of your chair) must be deep enough so that your back rests flat against the backrest.
Additionally, the depth shouldn’t be too deep in a way that puts pressure on the back of the knees. There needs to be at least 2 inches between the back of your knees and your seat.
A critical feature of any ergonomic office chair is lumbar. Our spine’s lumbar region has an inward curve. This makes sitting for long periods, or the inability to read text on the monitor and to reach the keyboard, eventually leads to forward sitting.
This type of sitting causes forward head, rounded shoulder (FHRS) postures. Over time, this posture has a detrimental effect on both the lower and upper regions of the spine (called kyphosis).
This is why a solid ergonomic chair has a lumbar adjustment (height and depth). This is so each user can receive the proper fit to support your back’s inward curvature.
Interested in learning how to establish a complete ergonomic system? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
The width of your ergonomic chair’s backrest should range between 14 to 19 inches. It also should have the ability to tilt rearward. This is to promote healthy reclined positions, which help to restore the natural curve of our spine. These postures transfer body weight to the backrest, which can remove up to 20% of pressure off the lumbar region.
Additionally, this chair should feature a knee tilt which pivots the seat downward, behind the knees during recline, or a synchronous tilt which automatically tilts both the back and seat together for optimum total body support.
The material on an office chair seat should be properly contoured and padded, or designed with a flexible membrane material to eliminate pressure points and ensure constant blood flow in this region of the body, not to mention providing you with excellent seated comfort for extended periods of time.
Interested in learning how to establish a complete ergonomic system? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
Adjustable armrests can relax the muscles in the shoulders, neck, arms, hands and wrists. To achieve a good width and height for you, adjust the armrests so that your elbows are directly at your sides and directly under your shoulders.
The height of the armrests should be set to ensure that your forearms and wrists are straight when working at the keyboard. The arm pad should be soft and forgiving to eliminate pressure points under the elbows while ensuring maximum comfort.
Additionally, an ergonomic chair should easily swivel so that you can reach different areas of your desk without straining your neck or forearms.
“Desk chair technology has improved dramatically over the past couple of decades. At the very least, you want your chair to be adjustable in terms of seat pan height and fluid backrest angle. There are a lot more adjustable features that are available out there, but you want to make sure that the height and the fluid backrest angle are adjustable for the chair that you choose.” - Marc A. Turina, MPT, CPE
While seeking an office chair with these features is a great starting point and one half of the equation, you truly do need a complete ergonomic system to prevent spine, neck and shoulder strain and to significantly improve comfort.
A good ergonomic chair alone is not enough, the chair and desk must work together as one to ensure exact eye-to-monitor and hand-to-input distance, no matter the posture. Even the best ergonomic chair alone will not counteract static, forward-slumping postures which prevail today.
Learn more about how NEXposture is revolutionizing the desk and chair relationship and take 15% off your first order + free shipping with promo code NEXPOSTURE15! We offer a complimentary ergonomic consultation with every purchase, and a free 30-day return policy.
Interested in learning how to establish a complete ergonomic system? Contact us today for a complimentary ergonomic consultation.
]]>How does ergonomics affect workers comp claims?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for approximately one-third of all workers compensation claims. This makes insufficient ergonomic support the most widespread occupational health hazard in the United States.
However, your business can take care of your employees and reduce the frequency of workers compensation claims with proper management and ergonomic tools in your workplace.
This is especially important now that your workers are working from home full-time or in a hybrid situation. Many home office workers are “going it alone” with minimal or any ergonomic guidance.
Most workers compensation cases require employers to provide long-term medical and rehabilitation care, extended time off work, and even legal services. Pair this with rising insurance premiums, and these expenses have a significant impact on your bottom line.
In addition to workers compensation payments, you may need to hire and train replacement employees. This can reduce employee productivity, which in turn can reduce your company’s profit.
But did you know that a good portion of workers compensation claims can be prevented with proper ergonomic protection?
Check out some of the best ways you can ergonomically reduce workers compensation claims, using a COMPLETE ERGONOMIC SYSTEM which ensures equal consideration of the user, the chair and the desk.
Ergonomics affects workers comp claims significantly. Height adjustable desks are key to establishing proper elbow height for computer keying and line of sight for monitor viewing. The preferred worksurface height for someone sitting who is 4' 9 tall may be 23'' high while someone 6' 3" may prefer a height of 30".
The key to standing is moderation, so active users of sit/stand desks may spend 25-30% standing and 70-75% sitting. Trouble is, sitting at the computer for the vast majority of time is far from healthful or comfortable today.
As the industry leader in user comfort and ergonomic support, our Sit-to-Stand adjustable desk is customizable to your employees’ height and standing preferences.
With the infinitely adjustable NEXposture, people can now healthfully sit, stand, move and take workplace comfort and health to a completely new level – 100% of the time.
In addition to providing adjustable height desks to your employees, it’s also important to grant them the ability to position their flat screen monitors in a variety of height, tilt and horizontal configurations.
NEXposture allows the monitor (and input devices) to mimic the movement and motion of the chair and user, maintaining optimized visual acuity 100% of the time, no matter the posture. Of course inputting is impossible if the user cannot reach the monitor and mouse.
Our single and dual monitor arms provide further height and angle adjustment to complement NEXposture in reducing eye strain (which helps prevent degenerative ocular disorders) and supports healthy sitting and standing positions.
A common ergonomic risk factor found in the workplace are employees maintaining awkward, stiff positions for extended periods of time. This can lead to muscle strain, herniated disks, and more.
When people use the computer, they tend to sit in “frozen” positions for hours, forgetting to move. Static postures can contribute to a number of disorders, including arthritis, chronic joint degeneration, tissue damage, and more.
All of these issues can require intensive rehabilitation, time-off work, and even surgeries. Therefore, you need to provide your employees with adjustable desks that allow them to alternate between sitting and standing.
Reclined postures and ongoing movement allow for nutrients to flow into the intervertebral discs and reduce the load on the lumbar spine. Reclining also transfers the upper body weight to the chair while restoring the natural s-shape curve of the spine, reducing the force on a person's lower back by as much as 25%.
Back by certified professional ergonomist Marc Turina, NEXposture delivers a highly customizable sitting experience that redefines ergonomics and comfort, while also reducing the load and pressure on a worker's neck and lumbar spine.
Reduced pressure and proper wrist support when typing is paramount to preventing carpal tunnel. When the average workers comp settlement in carpal tunnel cases range upwards of $50,000, a desk soft edge is a simple, inexpensive fix.
Implementing these in your workplace can help prevent workers' comp claims and increase employee comfort and productivity. Formed with an integral skin, our Comfort Edge provides flexible support to the wrists, forearms and hands.
Made from soft, resilient polyurethane material, you can now enjoy a complete ergonomic experience with a NEXposture desk and Comfort Edge.
As you can see, it's obivious that ergonomics affects workers comp claims. To keep your employees (both remote and in-office) safe, productive, and happy, it’s time to reconsider your business’ investment into proper ergonomics today.
NEXposture combines smart design and ease of accessibility with OSHA and ergonomics research-backed principles. Learn more about how NEXposture revolutionizes the desk and chair relationship, and contact us today for more information.
]]>The need for proper office ergonomics has accelerated in the past decade. With more people working in remote or hybrid-work environments than ever before, many office suppliers have started to answer the call with new products, such as keyboard trays.
Below, we detail what a keyboard tray is, its benefits and the edge NEXposture has over this type of ergonomic tool.
A keyboard tray is a desk platform that is installed beneath your desktop. It’s designed to allow your keyboard and mouse to be positioned and adjusted independently from your desktop.
Additionally, most keyboard trays can also slide under the desk entirely when not in use. So, are keyboard trays neccessary? And are they the best ergonomic tool you can use to combat neck, shoulder and eye strain?
Although keyboard trays allow you to sit up straight in your chair and not overreach to your keyboard and mouse, Certified Professional Ergonomist and Licensed Physical Therapist, Marc A. Turina, MPT, CPE explains that:
“... a keyboard tray does nothing to maintain the distance between your eyes and your monitor. People find it difficult to read print on their monitor screen when they recline back in their chair using a tray because that distance has increased.”
When your eyes are too far away from the monitor, you’re unable to read the screen. If your eyes are too close to the monitor, you’ll experience eye strain. The goal is to find that optimal distance. Additionally, keyboard trays do little of nothing to promote constant seated movement.
Unlike a singular piece of desk equipment which falls short with maintaining monitor distance, NEXposture is your all-in-one alternative to combating unhealthy postures such as the forward head, rounded shoulder (FHRS) posture.
NEXposture does this by by providing the following advantages:
With your NEXposture desk, you’re able to position your desktop technology in a way that allows you to easily transition out of your forward slumping posture and into more comfortable and healthful postures while maintaining exact eye-to-monitor and hand-to-input devices distances.
Additionally, our desktop technology allows users the opportunity to constantly move and adjust from upright to a working recline position. This is all done while maintaining preferred eye-to-monitor distance and hand-to-input device distance, no matter the posture.
Most people have been told to “sit up straight” at least once in their lives which can be achieved with a keyboard. However, this isn’t the correct posture you should assume for long periods of time while seated at your desk. Studies have consistently shown that the best position to sit at your desk is reclined at about 135 degrees; not upright.
Beyond the scientific advantages of a reclined posture, most people prefer to sit in a semi-reclined or reclined posture when engaging in everyday activities such as driving a car, sitting at a restaurant, and more. Where else, other than your computer, do you sit slumping forward for long periods of time?
NEXposture provides all of the healthful benefits of reclined seating and movement that help avoid health problems such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and more.
NEXposture fully opens for online orders on April 18th, 2022. In the meantime, learn more about how NEXposture revolutionizes the desk and chair relationship and contact us today for more information.
Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive an exclusive 15% off your first order when the NEXposture ergonomic workstation becomes available on April 18th.
]]>An office ergonomics checklist is key to assessing your existing workstation's comfort and health.
In today’s largely remote work environment, it’s more important than ever to create an office space that promotes neutral postures.
Below, we outlined several components of the United States Department of Labor - Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Computer Workstation Checklist – and how NEXposture fits every single one of them.
One of the most harmful ergonomic issues related to back pain and injury is the forward head, rounded shoulder (FHRS) posture. Assumed by millions of employees every day and for most of the day, this poor posture is directly linked to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.
This significant ergonomic problem is what prompted the design of NEXposture. NEXposture's patent-pending, adjustable sliding work surface is designed to combat the neck and back pain caused by all-too-common computer slumping postures and lack of movement.
In addition to eliminating this poor posture, it was imperative in the design process for NEXposture to maintain additional healthful principles through a range of postures, from upright to fully recline, to ensure that:
Contrary to old wives’ tales, sitting up straight isn’t the correct posture you should assume while working at your desk.
When your shoulders are relaxed instead of elevated, you avoid the common shoulder pain associated with poor ergonomic posture. Unfortunately, relaxing your shoulders simply isn’t possible when you assume a FHRS posture or change postures while sitting at a flat, fixed desk.
With its adjustable sliding surface, NEXposture allows shoulders to relax in a variety of postures; from upright to working recline.
However, office furniture with adjustments can be counterproductive. Research consistently shows that people don’t adjust office chairs or office furniture which feature a variety of knobs and levers.
NEXposture had to take a different approach and is why the product was designed with PostureBreak – a simplified braking system that automatically locks the technology surface into place.
When you choose to change postures, repositioning the NEXposture work surface is easy – all you need to do is squeeze the conveniently accessible paddle, move the surface to a newly desired position, and release.
Encouraging posture variation but keeping it realistically accessible for the user is the driving force behind NEXposture. Thus, relaxing your shoulder blades and avoiding premature wear and tear has never been simpler.
You need to understand the concept of neutral body positioning to best set up your workstation. A neutral body position is a comfortable, working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned.
However, non-neutral postures contribute to many health-related problems, such as shallow breathing, stress-related illnesses, sleep problems, diabetes, and much more.
According to OSHA, these are the four (4) reference postures that provide neutral positioning for your body:
As with upright sitting and standing positions, postures with movement (such as reclined sitting) are critical. This is because movement helps distribute nutrients to the spine and prevents the health problems mentioned earlier.
With NEXposture, users can position their desktop technology to allow people to move out of their forward slumping postures and into more comfortable and healthful postures.
NEXposture users can maintain proper eye-to-monitor distance and hand-to-input device distance; from upright sitting to standing to reclined and declined sitting.
OSHA recommends that your elbows remain close to the body and at a 90-100 degree angle when working at a desk.
However, it's nearly impossible to accomplish this with a flat work surface while changing postures. NEXposture's sloped work surface is designed to follow an ergonomic chairs’ motion which are designed with tilting mechanisms that create both rearward and downward movements.
Unlike flat surfaces, NEXposture causes no (zero degree) wrist flexion during recline. Additionally, there are similar forearm-to-wrist lines when sitting in the correct 90-degree upright posture.
Most desks and computer equipment have hard, angled leading edges that come in contact with a user's arm or wrist.
This can create contact stress, affecting nerves and blood vessels, possibly causing tingling and sore fingers. To avoid this, OSHA recommends that workers:
While NEXposture's sloped work surface provides relief against this, our soft front edge for our desks, called the Comfort Edge, reduces pressure on the wrist while typing.
The Comfort Edge fits all NEXposture work surfaces with its soft, resilient polyurethane material. You can now enjoy the whole ergonomic experience with an integral skin with a NEXposture desk and Comfort Edge.
Regardless of “how good” your working posture is, working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods isn’t healthy.
NEXposture combines simplicity and ease of accessibility with OSHA and ergonomics research-backed principles. Learn more about how NEXposture revolutionizes the desk and chair relationship, and contact us today for more information.
]]>What makes NEXposture different from other ergonomic office suppliers?
This is what we asked Marc Turina, certified professional ergonomist and licensed physical therapist. Below, he revealed the three things that set NEXposture apart from the rest:
Eliminates unhealthy forward slumping postures.
Provides the opportunity to constantly move and change postures.
Offers healthful benefits of reclined sitting.
The invention of the typewriter in 1868 changed the business world as we know it.
Unfortunately, since then, there has been little-to-no ergonomic intervention paid to the various unhealthy postures people assume while typing.
Nowadays, most people assume a forward head, rounded shoulder (FHRS) posture while working on the computer – up to 8 hours per day.
Desktop technology users commonly – and often instinctively – sacrifice proper postures and back support for long periods of time. This is done in order to effectively view the computer screen and position the hands and fingers over the keyboard and mouse.
However, a static, FHRS posture results in significant strain to the body. This posture, while common, increases both the weight placed on cervical muscles and compressive forces through the spinal discs. These stresses tend to lead to early wear, tear, degradation, and possibly surgeries.
If your eyes are too far away from the monitor, you’ll be unable to read the screen. Too close, and you’ll be forced to deal with eye strain. When it comes to effective positioning, the key is to find, “the sweet spot.”
Additionally, people with poor posture tend to establish poor breathing patterns. Shallow breathing is common when stressed, but isn’t meant to happen all the time.
Stress-related illnesses, sleep problems, respiratory problems, immune system weakening, and high blood pressure are all symptoms of long term shallow breathing.
With NEXposture, users can position their desktop technology in a manner that allows people to move out of their forward slumping postures and into more comfortable and healthful postures.
From upright to working recline, users can now maintain proper eye-to-monitor distance and hand-to-input device distance, no matter the posture.
When people use the computer, they tend to sit in “frozen” positions for hours, forgetting to move. Sitting in an uncomfortable position while intensely concentrating increases “stress immobilization syndrome”, or tech stress.
The combination of poor ergonomics, intense concentration, and lack of activity affects most of us, leading to several unhealthy consequences, such as:
Movement while seated is critical for a couple of reasons. When we remain in one position, a small number of muscles and ligaments support the back and become tired and strained. Therefore, movement transfers the support of the upper body to new muscles and ligaments, simultaneously allowing the strained ones to relax and recuperate.
Additionally, movement helps distribute nutrients in the spine. Disc hydration fluctuates naturally during the day. That is, over the course of the day/night cycle, humans lose up to 20% of the water out of our spinal discs.
Therefore, it’s important to offload the spine, especially when sitting for extended periods of time.
NEXposture allows users the opportunity to constantly move and adjust from upright to working recline position while maintaining proper eye-to-monitor distance and hand-to-input device distance, no matter the posture.
Most people have been told to “sit up straight” in their lives. However, this isn’t the proper posture people should assume while seated at their desks.
In 2006, Scottish and Canadian researchers used a form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand the strain sitting puts on your back. Their findings show that the best position in which to sit at your desk is reclined, at about 135 degrees, not upright.
Source: BBC News, Sitting straight “bad for backs”
The position of the pelvis determines the spine’s shape. With a forward slumping spinal posture, the pelvis is excessively posteriorly tilted compared to its natural curvature.
Like most postures, the position of the pelvis is foundational to the spine’s posture. The benefit of reclined postures is that it helps restore the natural curvature of the spine and remove pressure from disks and other soft tissue.
Beyond the scientific advantages of reclined postures, the vast majority of people prefer to sit in a semi-reclined or reclined posture. This is especially evident when one is driving a car, having casual conversation or sitting in their favorite chair.
Additionally, similar to movement while seated, reclined positions pumps nutrients into your intervertebral discs. This greatly reduces early on-set wear and tear and the development of chronic disorders. Additionally, reclined postures reduce the load on the lower back by as much as 25 percent.
With NEXposture, users can position their desktop technology in a manner that most effectively supports comfortable reclined postures. Now, users can maintain proper eye-to-monitor distance and hand-to-input device distance, no matter the posture.