Indications for the use of a knee chair, its types

Correct posture is not only a beautiful gait, but a guarantee of the health of the entire body. A sedentary lifestyle is a problem for modern people; most professions involve working on a computer. Slouching entails many diseases, from the usual flaccidity of the pectoral muscles and abdomen to problems with the spine.

There are many techniques for correcting posture and the spine, and kneeling chairs are becoming increasingly popular, although not all people understand how they work.

Story

The model of the first kneeling chair appeared back in 1970. It was designed by the Danish doctor Mendel. What prompted him to take such an action was a problem that worries most parents - the incorrect posture of children at their desks, when all students have their bodies shifted forward in relation to the chair. Based on the doctor's sketches, several chairs were created that had a seat angle of 15 degrees. But the chairs were not the best, since the person who sat on them constantly slid down.

Somewhat later, the Norwegian designer Opsvik created a kneeling chair. A knee support was added to the model, which prevents a person sitting on a chair from sliding down. The load between the knees and buttocks is distributed evenly, and the back reflexively straightens.

Reviews

There are quite a lot of reviews about this invention and all of them, with the exception of a few, are positive.

But if you look and read many forums, you will get the impression that these reviews are nothing more than advertising.

First, let's take a quick look at what people who purchased it say about the chair. We will not take into account positive opinions here; every forum is already replete with them.

Let's pay attention to the negative aspects. From people’s words, let’s highlight the following nuances:

• the load is placed mainly on the knees, and it is impossible to sit on a chair for longer than 15 minutes,
• The back muscles cannot maintain a straight back position for a long time. When the muscles get tired, a person simply will not be able to sit, he will want to lie down.

Now we will present several real reviews of orthopedists about the knee chair, as well as specialists in other fields.

Malinov V.O., chiropractor: “One advertisement and no evidence. If only someone could show pictures of his spine to prove that this miracle chair saved him from scoliosis. These chairs can even replace all the furniture in the house, but there will be no therapeutic effect.”

Kotova E.D., orthopedist: “A chair is just an organization of a workplace, nothing more. If you want to do something useful for your back, then just train your muscles and create a good muscle corset. Then your back will be comfortable on a regular stool. No one has canceled physical education and exercise therapy.”

Modern models

Today, stores offer models for adults and children. A chair with support can reduce the load on the spine. The person sitting on it straightens his shoulders and chest. A soft knee cushion, which is equipped in all models, prevents the seated person from sliding down. Sitting on a chair and moving the center of gravity, you can choose the most comfortable position.

Kneeling chairs are indeed an aggressive way to combat scoliosis and poor posture, so it is still not recommended to purchase such a device without first consulting a doctor.

Advantages

According to orthopedists, the knee chair has a number of 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 thighs;
• the body of a sitting person takes anatomically correct bends, which relieves excess pressure on the spinal column;
• the chest is straightened, and this is a prerequisite for free breathing;
• Possibility of use even during pregnancy.

And most importantly, the chair allows you to carry out preventive measures for curvature of the spinal column at home. And this reduces the risk of osteochondrosis, disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia.

Indications for use

No matter how many positive reviews there are about orthopedic knee chairs, the decision to purchase one should still be based on the recommendations of a doctor.

Doctors are unanimous in their opinion and recommend stool in the presence of the following pathologies:

• scoliosis;
• osteochondrosis, stool in this case allows you to reduce the gaps between the vertebrae;
• asymmetry of the spinal muscles, that is, incorrect posture;
• pain in the intercostal spaces;
• the presence of bulging intervertebral discs;
• kyphoscoliosis.

Terms of use

Reviews about kneeling chairs from people are very different, but the only thing that everyone notes is that you won’t be able to slouch on such a device.

For maximum comfort, the chair must be adjusted depending on the height and build of the user. Almost all models have at least 3 positions. The shorter a person is, the shorter the distance between the upper and lower pillow should be.

The table must be selected individually. This can be checked very simply: sitting on a kneeling chair, you need to clasp your hand at the elbow and move it away from the body by about 15 cm. 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 a person’s eyes.

During work, the chair is moved towards the table so that the elbows are not in a hanging position, but lie on the tabletop.

It is recommended to place the computer monitor in the middle of the table so that constant turning left or right does not cause strain in the neck. The 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 to periodically warm up, at least every 40-50 minutes.

Popular manufacturers and characteristics of chair models

The cost of a chair largely depends on the manufacturer and the presence of a backrest. There are Chinese, Russian and European models on the market.

In our country, Olympus kneeling chairs are most popular. User reviews regarding these pieces of furniture are only positive. In addition, the cost of such a device is low when compared with foreign models. For example, a chair from Health Postures Stance Chair costs about 2 thousand dollars. A Russian development can be purchased for 100-200 dollars. At the same time, in terms of quality and functionality, Russian-made chairs are in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts. In addition, almost all kneeling chairs fit a standard table height, which is selected by adjusting the seat height.

Comparative characteristics of the most popular Russian-made models:

Very good reviews of the Smartstool kneeling 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 the chair. The manufacturer has provided the ability to change the backrest tilt and height. And the knee pad can be installed in different positions, that is, it is completely adjustable according to a person’s height.

The chair has compact roller wheels that allow you to freely move away from the table and move closer to it. Model KM01V is suitable for both children from 6 years old and adults. In reviews, the Smartstool KM01B kneeling chair is also called a growing chair.

The manufacturer improved the model in April 2022. The number of knee pad positions has been increased to four. The foam is compacted to prevent premature wear of the pillows.

The KM01V chair allows you to take a resting position. This is very important at the beginning of using the structure, when it is quite difficult to sit for a long time in an unusual position for the body.

I would especially like to mention the Smartstool KW02B model. A distinctive feature of this chair is that it has a knee pad pushed forward. This was done so that the chair could be used by a person with a large weight. There are very good reviews about this kneeling chair; obese people do not feel discomfort when using it. The model is also suitable for people with long legs. The chair has wheels that allow you to move it freely even while sitting on it. Recommended user height is from 135 cm, but not higher than 180 cm.

Choosing a kneeling chair, features

The design of the chair is quite unusual due to the lack of a comfortable back and armrests. The seat is tilted 15-20 degrees relative to the floor. There is a solid soft knee support or one consisting of two parts.

A kneeling chair imitates a standing position of a person and there is no need for additional support. It helps relieve tension and reduce pain when working at a desk for long periods of time. For children, it has a positive effect on the formation of posture.

When choosing, you need to pay attention:

1. Buyer's parameters: height, weight. The durable model can withstand a weight of 120-130 kg.
2. Number of seat recline and height levels. Models with more options are considered universal and suitable for all users. The wide range of settings allows it to be used by both children and adults.
3. Quality of upholstery and frame materials. Wear resistance and service life directly depend on this indicator. The wooden frame is in great demand and looks modern. But metal is more durable.
4. Compactness. It implies the presence of wheels for easy movement or a balancing structure.

To ensure maximum comfort, pillows should be thick with medium-firm filling. A fabric cover is desirable.

There is no need for a backrest, since no support for the spine is required. Alternatively, it can be considered in cases where a person sits at a desk all day.

Adaptation when moving from a regular chair to a knee chair takes 1-2 weeks. Positive changes, according to user reviews, appear after a month.

Chairs for schoolchildren

Most parents are concerned about the problem of correct posture of their children. It is quite difficult to force a baby who is constantly moving, in a hurry somewhere, and when he gets tired, starts to tilt his head to the side, to sit upright at the table.

The best reviews about kneeling chairs for schoolchildren can be heard about designs without wheels. Such models not only straighten your posture, but also do not spoil the floor covering. There is an opportunity to swing on a chair, which many children especially like. But balancing kneeling chairs aren't just for kids. It is the ability to swing that allows you to calm the nervous system and relax; such designs are approved for use during pregnancy.

Quite good reviews from the kneeling chair for children called “The Little Hunchback”. The model is also manufactured by a domestic manufacturer and can support a person’s weight up to 100 kg. Adjustable in 3 positions and suitable for all standard height desks.

Manufacturing materials

Metal and wood are used to produce orthopedic kneeling chairs. The use of the former in the design allows increasing reliability, stability, and service life. Thanks to this, the product becomes universal and the adjustment possibilities expand. The steel base is chrome plated, painted with special paints or treated with Teflon coating.

For wooden models, solid oak, beech or multi-layer plywood are used. For home use, as a rule, these products are chosen because they are easier to fit into the interior, and in addition, such products weigh less. But if you need a chair that will retain its properties for as long as possible, then it is better to give preference to models with a steel frame.

Metal

Tree

Different materials are used as filling for knee pads and backrests. The most popular are foam rubber and latex. The first material is flexible, hypoallergenic, inexpensive, and lasts about five years. Latex is more elastic and porous. Thanks to the antistatic effect, dust accumulates less on it. It retains its qualities for up to ten years.

The surface of the chair is upholstered in fabric, leather and its substitute; there are also models with replaceable covers. Textiles allow air to pass through well, but if they get dirty, they are difficult to clean. The leather repels water and dust and is durable, but such models are more expensive. Products made from substitutes are cheaper, but they are not as wear-resistant. An excellent option is chairs with replaceable covers; they are easier to fit into the interior. In addition, they are much easier to care for.

Replacement cover

Fabric

Leather

Comfort or correct posture

Most often, people confuse comfortable chairs with orthopedic ones. 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 based on the comfort of its use.

You should not select these pieces of furniture based on their appearance. It is clear that the aesthetic component is very important, but the chair must meet all orthopedic properties and be as easy as possible to use. Appearance is the last criterion that you need to pay attention to when choosing an orthopedic knee chair.

Contraindications

Despite the obvious benefits of using a kneeling chair, its use can cause some difficulties and discomfort. Among the disadvantages of this design are:

• painful sensations in the knees;
• slipping from the seat;
• numbness of the legs;
• height of the structure.

However, such shortcomings can be caused by incorrect selection of a chair, so they are relative. At the same time, there are contraindications to the use of the design, among them:

• congenital anomalies of the spine;
• presence of back injuries;
• deformed spine;
• third stage of scoliosis;
• prepatellar bursitis;
• changes in the hip bones;
• Osgood-Schlatter disease with severe pain.

You should always consult your physician before purchasing and using this product.

Congenital spinal anomalies

Presence of back injuries

Deformed spine

Third stage of scoliosis

Prepatellar bursitis

Osgood-Schlatter disease