Saddle stools are more popular now than ever before. They can typically be found in hospitals, clinics, hairdressing and beauty salons, veterinary offices, laboratories, architect firms, and in art industries. What once was a predominant form of seating solely in the medical industry is now quickly making its way into homes and businesses worldwide. While most used and seen in medical offices, particularly in dentistry offices used by both dental hygienists and dentists themselves, more consumers are becoming familiarized with what a saddle stool is and how it can provide them with back support. The main health benefits received by sitting on a saddle stool are improved muscle strength, back pain relief, improved posture, and musculoskeletal disorder prevention.
A saddle chair simply put is a stool with a saddle seat, very similar in look, design, and feel as an equestrian saddle. It does not have a back rest but does come with a five-star chair base with a pneumatic gas cylinder for adjusting the correct seat height. They have a small footprint conveniently fitting under just about any desk and into just about any work area of any size. One of the main benefits received from sitting in a saddle stool is improved muscle strength which is achieved by using both your abdominal and leg muscles to sit up straight. After using a saddle chair for just a few weeks you should be able to feel improved core strength and enhanced muscle tone, all from simply sitting correctly on your stool.
Perhaps the greatest health benefit received from sitting in a saddle stool is back pain relief that can often occur from sitting in a regular office chair for extended periods of time. Not only are saddle chairs helpful in relieving back pain they can also alleviate neck and shoulder pain along with related headaches. The larger angle between the hips and the knees at a 135° is a much more natural position to be in than the 90° angle, typically associated with sitting on a traditional chair. As a consequence posture is improved and tension in the upper back and neck is reduced. The backless feature on saddle stools also eliminates pressure that is typically felt on users back from leaning on a back rest, causing discomfort while sitting and especially when trying to focus while working.
Sitting on a saddle chair essentially forces you to have to sit with correct posture with the chair's design. It also prevents you from slouching and leaning forward, a common occurrence when sitting in a traditional office chair that is often overlooked by not being brought to your attention. You are much more likely to notice yourself slouching over in a saddle chair with your back not being supported, providing a constant reminder to sit up straight. By promoting good posture the stool is also improving blood circulation, your spine by putting it into a healthy lordotic curve, and digestion. Leg circulation is improved by your legs being in a more open position with no edge pressing behind the back of your knees as with a normal chair seat.
Musculoskeletal disorder is a condition where a part of the musculoskeletal system is injured over time typically occurring when the body part is called on to work harder, stretch farther, and impact more directly at a greater level than it is prepared for. Most commonly this is associated with repetitive stress injuries, one of the most common workplace injuries that can be attributed to sitting in a bad chair that causes strain over a long period of time. Saddle chairs reduce work related limb disorders such as pain and aching in the wrists, arms, and shoulders associated with regional musculoskeletal disorder, cumulative trauma disorder, and repetitive stress injury. They decrease pain and fatigue associated with muscular tension that often occurs from continuously sitting or typing in an unnatural position.
Saddle chairs take time to adjust to the new unique sitting style and it is recommended to only sit in for an hour or two a day to start while progressively increasing your sitting duration over a period of a month. They can also be used in conjunction with your current office chair or as an alternative seating solution when your back needs relief. Whether you want a saddle stool for the health benefits or because you want to try something new, you will surely not be disappointed when you make the switch.
