You Asked for It
May 2003

Question:

Good Morning Sharon,
I have a question that you can perhaps assist in getting some information. While doing a workstation assessment, I came across an individual using the following apparatus. She was having back problems but mainly because she was a tall lady and her height was beyond the adjustment capabilities of her chair. However, because she was slouching and she had bought the following product to change her posture. Before she uses the product further I have advised that she needs to start with the right chair and we are working on it.

I would, however, like to know your views on this product. To me it does not seem to support the back any let alone for long periods at the computer. It seems a faddish, something like to kneeling chairs without a back. Any info you could add would be helpful. Might even be an article for your info sheet.

Regards,
Tom

http://www.sissel-online.com/product/sit_and_be_fit.php

Answer:

I share the same concerns about this product. The premise is that it creates a slightly unstable surface to sit on, thereby requiring the muscles to be active to support the body. In my opinion, it is really just a pillow added to the seat pan of the chair. It may slightly slope the seat also. This presents several concerns:

Forward Slope - if she tends to wear slippery fabrics (pantyhose, slips, silks, lined pants,etc.) it will make her more unstable and she will hunch forward.

Raised Seat - I would prefer to see her using a chair that adjusts to an appropriate height (you may need to ask for an extended gas lift)

Back Support - the pictures show unsupported postures, and in the main picture, the lumbar spine is fully flattened and the upper back starting to hunch forward. Also, adding the pillow will eliminate the possibility of utilizing the lumbar support of the chair.

Tailbone Pressure - the raised edge of the pillow will put pressure on the tailbone, creating a new set of problems. The raised edge may also be sufficient to place pressure on the sciatic nerve which is close to the surface on the underside of the thigh.

Static Postures - The description implies that it requires continuous muscle contractions to maintain balance. This is no different than sitting upright and unsupported in a chair. She would be just as well off to sit on a padded stool.

I got a good chuckle out of one of their statements: "Sitting on it encourages upright posture, which means less stress on your spine". Even the earliest spinal research found that an upright and unsupported posture increases pressure in the disks and requires static loading of the postural muscles. Neither of which promotes spinal wellness.

Thanks for the fodder for my newsletter!

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