You're slouching right now, aren't you? Don't worry, it's something we all do. However, studies have shown that bad posture can increase feelings of depression, zap your energy and cut off your circulation. Couple that with sitting for long periods of time, and you've got a health hazard on your hands. See also: 17 DIY Office Hacks to Make Work More Tolerable If you have an office job, it's difficult to avoid the pitfalls of sitting and slouching. However, there are plenty of little tricks you can use to improve your posture gradually. Posture Tips at WorkCornell University Ergonomics Web DEA 3250/6510 CLASS NOTES Sitting and Chair Design 1. Introduction - An estimated 50% of people in the industrialized world suffer some form of back complaint and many of these are related to poor seat design. sit and what we sit on affects the health of the spine. is the most frequently damaged (L4 and L5). The vertebrae in the lumbar region are the largest in the spine.

2. Posture - the relative orientation of parts of the body in space. 3. Biomechanics of Sitting - depending on chair and posture, some proportion of total body weight is transferred to the floor via the seat pan and feet, armrests, and backrests. 4. Sitting Postures - Sitting with the knees and hips flexed, pelvis rotated backward leads to minimize lordosis, flat, or even kyphotic lumbarThree types of sitting postures normally distinguished: 5. Factors Influencing Posture - 6. Preferred Sitting Angle - Sitting leads to 40 - 90% more stress on the back (disc pressure) than standing posture. 7. Seat Design Criteria Back to DEA 3250/6510 menuGood posture (the position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting, or lying down) during pregnancy involves training your body to stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions where the least amount of strain is placed on your back. Although your growing belly may make you feel like you are going to topple, there are several steps you can take to maintain good posture and proper body mechanics.

Here are some tips. What Is the Correct Way to Stand During Pregnancy? Hold your head up straight with your chin in. Do not tilt your head forward, backward, down or sideways. Make sure your ear lobes are in line with the middle of your shoulders. Keep your shoulder blades back and your chest forward. Keep your knees straight, but not locked. Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling. Pull your stomach in and up (as much as possible!). Do not tilt your pelvis forward or backward. Keep your buttocks tucked in. Point your feet in the same direction, with your weight balanced evenly on both feet. The arches of your feet should be supported with low-heeled (but not flat) shoes to prevent stress on your back. Avoid standing in the same position for a long time. What Is the Correct Way to Sit During Pregnancy? Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your chair. Sit with a back support (such as a small, rolled-up towel or a lumbar roll) at the curve of your back.

Pregnancy pillows are sold at many retailers.ski chair lift speed Here's how to find a good sitting position when you're not using a back support or lumbar roll:best price swivel chairs Sit at the end of your chair and slouch completely.retro armchairs for sale Draw yourself up and accentuate the curve of your back as far as possible. where to buy plastic adirondack chairsHold for a few seconds.kitchen chair pads at target Release the position slightly (about 10 degrees). ikea egg chair red

This is a good sitting posture.plastic lawn chairs at home depot Distribute your body weight evenly on both hips.where to buy best adirondack chair Keep your hips and knees at a right angle (use a foot rest or stool if necessary). table and chair rental round rock txYour legs should not be crossed and your feet should be flat on the floor. Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and workstation so you can sit up close to your desk. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed. When sitting in a chair that rolls and pivots, don't twist at the waist while sitting. Instead, turn your whole body.

When standing up from the sitting position, move to the front of the seat of your chair. Stand up by straightening your legs. Avoid bending forward at your waist. Upon standing, do several pregnancy-safe back stretches. It is OK to assume other sitting positions for short periods of time, but most of your sitting time should be spent as described above so there is minimal stress on your back. If you have back pain, sit as little as possible, and only for short periods of time (10 to 15 minutes). What Is the Correct Driving Position During Pregnancy? Use a back support (lumbar roll) at the curve of your back while driving when pregnant. Your knees should be at the same level or higher than your hips. Move the seat close to the steering wheel, but not too close. In general, your seat should be close enough to allow your knees to bend and your feet to reach the pedals. Your belly should be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel, if possible (this obviously depends upon your height).

The last month of pregnancy, when your belly is likely to be closer than ever to the steering wheel, ride in the passenger's seat when possible. Always wear both the lap and shoulder safety belts. Place the lap belt under your abdomen, as low on your hips as possible and across your upper thighs. Never place the belt above your abdomen. Place the shoulder belt between your breasts. Adjust the shoulder and lap belts as snug as possible. If your vehicle is equipped with an air bag, it is very important to wear your shoulder and lap belts. In addition, always sit back at least 10 inches away from the site where the air bag is stored. On the driver's side, the air bag is located in the steering wheel. When driving, pregnant women should adjust the steering wheel so that it is tilted toward the chest and away from the head and abdomen. What Is the Correct Way to Lift Objects During Pregnancy? Ask for help when lifting heavy objects when you're pregnant. Before you lift an object, make sure you have firm footing.

To pick up an object that is lower than the level of your waist, keep your back straight and bend at your knees and hips. Do not bend forward at the waist with your knees straight. Stand with a wide stance close to the object you are trying to pick up and keep your feet firm on the ground. Tighten your stomach muscles and lift the object using your leg muscles. Straighten your knees in a steady motion. Don't jerk the object up to your body. Stand completely upright without twisting. If you are lifting an object from a table, slide it to the edge of the table so that you can hold it close to your body. Bend your knees so that you are close to the object. Use your legs to lift the object and come to a standing position. Use caution when lifting heavy objects above waist level. Hold packages close to your body with your arms bent. Keep your stomach muscles tight. Take small steps and go slowly. To lower the object, place your feet as you did to lift, tighten stomach muscles, and bend your hips and knees.

Do not lean forward. When reaching for objects overhead: Get your body as close as possible to the object you need. Make sure you have a good idea of how heavy the object is that you are going to lift. Use two hands to lift. What Is the Best Position for Sleeping and Lying Down During Pregnancy? In general, pregnant women should try not to lie flat on their back or directly on their stomach. Lying on your back, especially in the third trimester, causes more work and stress on your heart: In this position, the baby's weight can put excessive pressure on the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the feet and legs, pelvis, and abdomen back to the heart, reducing blood flow to the placenta. In addition, sleeping on your back can actually cause you to have a backache! Lying on your stomach during pregnancy is not likely to be very comfortable. More importantly, lying on your stomach should be avoided because it can put added pressure on the fetus and reduce blood flow.

Don't be too concerned if you shift positions in the night; this is a normal part of sleeping that you can't control. Most likely, if you end up lying on your back or stomach, the discomfort will wake you up. Some doctors recommend that pregnant women lie on their left side in the third trimester to allow for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus and kidneys. Because your liver is on the right side of your body, lying on the left side also helps keep the uterus from pressing on that large organ. No matter what position you lie in, a pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position to avoid straining your back. You may also want to put a pillow between your legs for support. Use your pillows to discover a comfortable sleeping position. Several special "pregnancy" pillows are sold on the market that may help you sleep better. Try to sleep in a position that helps you maintain the curve in your back (such as on your side with your knees slightly bent and with a pillow between your knees).