Health and Research: Restoring a body in motion

We in Varier contantly go back to the concept of “Active Sitting“. We continuously refer to articles and research that point out the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle (basically sitting for too long in the span of a day). In fact, according to Wayne Stokers, MD*  Lumbar spine issues “are starting to explode as people sit in a chair all day”. So much so that Americans are using $50 Billion each year on lower back pain alone (NYU Physician Vol. 64, Fall 2012).

What we are trying to get across is that if the body doesn’t move – it is not going to work properly. Exercise is very important because if you sit all day long  you are putting enormous pressure on your disks and joints. And it isn’t only the back that suffers. After prolonged sitting muscles become weak or tight from disuse and “stop functioning properly” (NYU Physician Vol. 64, Fall 2012). Many times, when it comes to back problems it is lifestyle factors that need to be addressed. But even a gym rat that slouches at the computer during work can develop back problems.

We in Varier believe that that the Move chair (pictured above and below) is the perfect solution. We like to refer to the chair as a “stitting chair” in other words, a chair that you both stand and sit in. Did you know that your spine is in its natural curvature when using the Move chair? This allows the body to find its optimal posture. Using a standing desk for periods of the day is great, but the Move chair takes this a step further by helping to support the body in a proper way while constantly keeping the body in motion. As you can see from the images the disk at the bottom of the chair is curved, so the chair might actually feel wobbly at first. As core muscles are strengthened one eventually “masters” the chair and the movements become much more controlled.

 

Dennis Cardone, DO, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery suggests setting an alarm that goes off every 20 minutes during your workday as reminder to stand up. “Even 15 seconds of standing  helps break the seated cycle” ” (NYU Physician Vol. 64, Fall 2012).

Jaclyn Bonder, MD, medical director of the Womans Rehabilitation program at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine states that the best for a body suffering from joint and back pains is “committing to lifelong exercise” (NYU Physician Vol. 64, Fall 2012). The Move chair is in many ways therefore a step in the right direction as it challenges peoples perceptions of sitting from a static activity to an active movement-based activity.

Have you heard of standing support chairs before? What are your opinions on this?