Correct posture is not only a beautiful gait, but a guarantee of the health of the whole organism. A sedentary lifestyle is a problem of a modern person, most professions involve working on a computer. Stooping entails many diseases, from the usual lethargy of the pectoral muscles and abdomen to problems with the spine.
There are many methods for correcting posture and the spine, and knee chairs are becoming increasingly popular, although not all people understand the principle of their action.
History
The model of the first knee stool appeared in 1970. It was designed by the Danish doctor Mendel. He was prompted by such a problem, which worries most parents - incorrect posture of children at their desks, when all students have their bodies moved forward in relation to the chair. According to the doctor’s sketches, several chairs were created that had a seat angle of 15 degrees. But the chairs were not the most successful, since the person who was sitting on them constantly crawled down.
Somewhat later, the Norwegian designer Opsvik created a knee chair. An emphasis for knees was added to the model, which does not allow a person sitting on a chair to slide down. The load between the knees and buttocks is evenly distributed, and the back reflexively straightens.
Modern models
Today in stores models for adults and children are presented. A chair with support allows you to reduce the load on the spine. The man sitting on it, squeezes the shoulders and chest. The soft cushion for the knees, which all models are equipped with, does not allow the person to slide down. Sitting on a chair and moving the center of gravity, you can choose the most comfortable position.
Knee chairs are indeed an aggressive way to combat scoliosis and poor posture, therefore, without first consulting a doctor, it is not recommended to purchase such a device.
Benefits
According to orthopedists, the knee chair has several advantages, namely:
- minimizes the load on the back muscles;
- the area of the coccyx, lower back and sacrum is unloaded;
- allows you to normalize blood circulation in the hips;
- the body of a seated person takes anatomically correct bends, which relieves excessive pressure on the spinal column;
- the chest is straightened, and this is a prerequisite for free breathing;
- the possibility of use even during pregnancy.
And most importantly, the chair allows for preventive measures to curvature the spinal column at home. And this is a decrease in the risk of osteochondrosis, protrusion of the disc and intervertebral hernia.
Indications for use
No matter how many positive reviews about orthopedic knee chairs, the decision to purchase it should be based on the recommendations of a doctor.
Doctors are unequivocal in opinion and recommend a chair in the presence of the following pathologies:
- scoliosis;
- osteochondrosis, stool in this case can reduce the gap between the vertebrae;
- asymmetry of the spinal muscles, that is, poor posture;
- pain in the intercostal spaces;
- the presence of bulging intervertebral discs;
- kyphoscoliosis.
Contraindications
Despite the large number of positive reviews about knee stools, they have a number of contraindications for use. First of all, congenital anomalies of the spine. Deformation of the femur is an absolute contraindication to the use of stool. Injuries to the spinal column and the third degree of scoliosis also prevent the use of stool.
Terms of use
Reviews about knee chairs from people are very different, but the only thing everyone notes is that it will not work to stoop on such a device.
For maximum convenience, the chair must be adjusted depending on the height and physique of the user. Almost all models have a minimum of 3 positions. The smaller the person’s height, the shorter the distance between the upper and lower pillows.
The table should be selected individually. This is checked very simply: sitting on a knee stool, you need to squeeze your hand in the elbow and take it about 15 cm from the body. The distance between the elbow and the floor is exactly the height that the table should have. A correctly selected piece of furniture allows you to provide the necessary distance between the computer monitor and the eyes of a person.
In the process, the chair moves to the table so that the elbows are not in a hanging position, but lie on the countertop.
It is recommended that you place the computer monitor in the middle of the table so that a constant turn to the left or right does not cause overvoltage in the neck. Eyes should look directly at the monitor, neither down nor up.
But even an ergonomic chair does not relieve the computer user from the need for periodic warm-ups, at least every 40-50 minutes.
When the result is noticeable
Users who give their feedback on the knee stool note that they already notice an improvement in their condition on the 30th day of use. At the same time, in order to sit up straight, one does not have to constantly control oneself. It’s really easier to breathe, because the chest is straightened.
Sitting on a knee chair while working at a computer does not carry the usual fatigue, in contrast to using an ordinary office chair or chair. Performance does not decrease.
Popular manufacturers and specifications of chair models
The cost of a chair largely depends on the manufacturer and the availability of a back. The market includes Chinese, Russian and European models.
In our country, Olympus knee chairs are more popular. User reviews regarding these furniture items are only positive. In addition, the cost of such a device is low, when compared with foreign models. For example, a company chair Health Postures Stance Chair costs about 2 thousand dollars. And the Russian development can be purchased for $ 100-200. At the same time, in quality and functionality, Russian-made chairs are in no way inferior to foreign counterparts. In addition, almost all knee chairs fit the standard height of the table, selected by adjusting the height of the seat.
Comparative characteristics of the most popular Russian-made models:
Characteristics | Smartstool KM01 | OLIMP SK-1 |
model | without back | without back |
recommended height | 110-195 cm | 120-185 cm |
possible user weight | up to 100 kg | up to 120 kg |
wheels | plastic | rubberized |
total product weight | 8 kg | 9 kg |
body | steel | steel |
dimensions | 47/60, 45X65 cm | 650X490X190mm |
price, USD, for October 2017 | 128 | 100 |
Very good reviews on the Smartstool knee chair with backrest. In addition to the characteristics described above, the KM01V model is equipped with a gas lift, which allows you to adjust the seat height, without even getting up from a chair. The manufacturer has provided the ability to change the tilt of the back and its height. And the knee pillow can be installed in different positions, that is, it can be fully adjusted according to the person’s height.
The chair has compact roller wheels that allow you to freely move away from the table and move to it. The KM01V model is suitable for both children from 6 years old and adults. In reviews, the Smartstool KM01B knee chair is also called growing.
The manufacturer improved the model in April 2017. The number of knee pads has been increased to four. Foam is sealed to prevent premature pillow wear.
The KM01V chair allows you to take a resting position. This is very important at the beginning of using the design, when it is difficult for a long time to sit in an unusual position for the body.
I would especially like to note the Smartstool KW02B model. A distinctive feature of this chair is that it has a strongly extended forward knee pillow. This is done so that a person with high weight can use the chair. The reviews about this knee chair are very good, it is the obese people who do not feel discomfort when using it. The model is also suitable for persons with long legs. The chair has wheels that allow it to move freely even while sitting on it. Recommended user height from 135 cm, but not higher than 180 cm.
Chairs for schoolchildren
Most parents are concerned about the correct posture of their children. Forcing a baby to sit exactly at the table, who is constantly moving, is in a hurry somewhere, and when he gets tired, starts to tilt his head to the side, it's quite difficult.
The best reviews of knee chairs for students can be heard about the designs without wheels. Such models not only levels posture, but also does not spoil the flooring. There is the opportunity to swing on a chair, which many children especially like. But balancing knee chairs are suitable not only for children. It is the ability to swing that allows you to calm the nervous system and relax, such designs are allowed for use during pregnancy.
Good reviews from the knee stool for children called "The Little Humpback". The model is also manufactured by a domestic manufacturer and can withstand the weight of a person up to 100 kg. Adjustment allows to accept 3 provisions and approaches to all tables of standard height.
Comfort or correct posture
Most often, people confuse comfortable chairs with orthopedic chairs. As practice shows, the opposite is true, the more comfortable it is to sit on a chair, the more problems with the spine appear. Therefore, you should not choose a chair on the basis of the comfort of its use.
It is not necessary to select these pieces of furniture in appearance. It is clear that the aesthetic component is very important, but the chair must meet all orthopedic properties and be as simple as possible to use. Appearance is the last criterion that you need to pay attention to when choosing an orthopedic knee stool.