Office Chair Back Suspension

Office chair back suspension can lead to problems in both health and Feng Shui aspects.

Health Aspect

When office workers lean back on their chairs and work in a semi-reclined position, causing the lumbar spine to be suspended, it can cause damage to the lumbar spine and surrounding tissues. In a semi-reclined position, the pelvis tilts backward, flattening the natural lordosis of the lumbar spine. The weight of the upper body becomes a downward pull on the back muscles and ligaments. The erector spinae muscles are elongated and continuously tense, reducing blood flow and causing metabolic waste to accumulate between muscle fibers, leading to a feeling of soreness. The pressure distribution on the intervertebral discs changes, and the efficiency of nutrient exchange drops sharply. The nucleus pulposus loses proper nutrient penetration and gradually becomes dry and brittle. The nerve endings in the small joint capsules on both sides of the posterior spine are stretched, and the inferior articular process of the upper vertebra and the superior articular process of the lower vertebra become misaligned and squeeze each other. The joint capsules are constantly ground, producing deep dull pain, and this type of damage can recur repeatedly.

Feng Shui Aspect

In Feng Shui, it is highly inauspicious to have an empty space behind the office desk, similar to the situation of an office chair back being suspended. This can make people feel insecure and find it difficult to concentrate on their work. The back of the human head is a radiation area for brain waves and one of the most sensitive parts of the body for sensing qi fields. An empty space behind can easily cause a lack of concentration, and over time, it can deplete energy, affecting work efficiency and health.

Tips for Choosing an Office Chair to Avoid Lumbar Suspension

To avoid the problem of lumbar suspension during use, do not choose a fixed lumbar support; instead, opt for one that can automatically adjust the angle and pressure according to changes in sitting posture to provide continuous support. Do not buy a one-size-fits-all hard chair back; choose one that is divided into zones and can adjust its curve to evenly support the upper back, middle back, and lumbar region. The support should be coordinated throughout the entire chair, following movements whether leaning back or forward. The adjustment functions should be precise, allowing fine-tuning of the headrest, armrests, seat depth, seat height, and recline angle so that people of different body shapes can find their ideal position. For example, the SumLush Xia Mumu Fit CC ergonomic office chair features a ZeroG Flow dynamic lumbar support system that dynamically adapts according to height, waist shape, and sitting posture. The BackFit four-way back-waist fitting support allows for upward and downward, as well as forward and backward adjustments, aligning the support center with the lumbar spine curve to reduce the occurrence of lumbar suspension.