Custom Office Chair

In 2005 I had an ergonomic assessment by an occupational therapist at my office where I work.  Ergonomics means the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. As an office worker up to 70% or more of my time is spent at my desk using a computer. The occupational therapist examined how my body size and shape fit the chair and desk while using the computer keyboard and mouse, and the viewing angle for looking at the computer screen. As a result of this assessment she provided a report with several recommendations.

After having polio at about 18 months in 1955 I developed kyphoscoliosis of my back starting at about age 7 and progressing as I grew. The kyphoscoliosis is an outward curvature of the right side of my back in addition to a double S-shaped lateral curvature. I am thankful that over the years I have not had as much back pain as many people with back conditions. However in about 2004 I started to have a lot of pain in my lower and upper back and right shoulder. I tried unsuccessfully to use additional cushions with my chair. But a standard chair does not fit my body shape or provide proper support. In the ergonomic assessment the occupational therapist recommended that I get a chair that is more adjustable than the standard office chair and investigate getting a custom made back cushion to fit my back.

I researched available chairs, visited office furniture dealers, and tried out three different ergonomic office chairs available at that time; Herman Miller Aeron, Teknion Contessa, and Steelcase Leap. The recommended features from the ergonomic assessment included: seat adjustable depth, back material either customized, or somewhat flexible material, adjustable seat and back height with back height to support shoulder blades, height adjustable armrests, with 5 prong swivel pedestal base. I evaluated a Steelcase Leap chair for a week in my office and concluded it was the most suitable for my particular needs.

I was referred to an assessment by a team including a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and seating technician. They concluded it would be feasible to customize a seat back cushion to fit and support my back, and install it on the ergonomic office chair. At a later appointment they had fitted a plastic bag arrangement on a modified chair back frame. As I sat in the chair, the seating technician poured liquid foam material into the plastic bag to fill the area around and behind my back. This then solidified into a cushion the shape of my back. They later upholstered the moulded chair back cushion to match the seating material. The finished chair is shown in my office in the pictures, where I have been using it for the last 5 years.

There were number of other recommendations in the ergonomic assessment in 2005 that were implemented and quite helpful.   I got a flat screen monitor that could be moved farther back and lowered down to give a better viewing angle.  A  keyboard shelf was made for my desk to give the right height.  And I switched to using the mouse with my left hand as seen in the picture.  I am right handed but using the mouse was aggravating the pain in my right shoulder.  Switching to the left hand also allows the mouse to be closer to the keyboard since the numeric keypad is on the right.  For 5 years now I have been using the mouse with my left hand at work and my right hand at home.   It came quite naturally and I do it now without thinking about it.

I am now writing an article about the ergonomic assessment and my custom office chair for a newsletter of the polio organization I am involved in.  So last week I took some pictures of the chair and someone took pictures of me sitting in it.   It is pretty unique and I hope it will be of interest to others.