The Posture

Think about your Work Posture

Chapter.1 Work Posture and Health
Physical problems at work

"What effect does poor posture have on the body?”

  • Arching
  • Hunching forward
  • Perching on the edge of the seat
  • Slumping

Chapter.1 Work Posture and Health
Physical problems at work

Poor posture creates repercussions on the eyes,
neck, shoulders and lower back.

Approximately 70% of workers suffer from physical fatigue.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, more than 68.6% of office workers are reported to be physically fatigued.

Symptoms include eyestrain, neck and shoulder stiffness and back pain.

These problems are said to be brought on by poor posture in the office where many of them spend around one-third or more of their day.

  • The percentage of office workers being aware of the physical fatigue symptoms

  • Parts of the body feeling pain

  • Source: Survey results related to innovation and labor
    by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 2008

Chapter.2 Good posture and body mechanics
5 things to know for ideal posture

Do you think sitting is a non-strenuous activity?

Chapter.2 Good posture and body mechanics
5 things to know for ideal posture

Sitting posture adds a tremendous amount of pressure to the back.

The 100% body pressure on the lumbar intervertebral discs when standing increases to 140% when sitting, and 185% when hunched forward.

Changes in the load on the intervertebral discs

  • 100%
  • 140%
  • 185%

Source: .A Nachemson, 1970

Load-applying mechanisms

  • When standing,the pelvis is upright and the spine draws a natural S shaped curve
  • When sitting, the pelvis rotates backwards and the spinal s-curve gets flatten
  • The intervertebral disk is compressed which could induce back pain

Chapter.3 Changing your Work Posture
5 Work Postures Recommended by Okamura

It is important to change your posture to best suit the task at hand.

Writing a report, working on a computer, doing presentation in a meeting, talking on the phone…
There are various tasks performed in the office. To keep ideal posture in each situation, Okamura recommends five different postures. However, even the most ideal posture can only be maintained for approximately 30 minutes. In order to eliminate strain on your body, try to make a shift from one posture to the other, alternate between sitting and standing, take a break, and make a use of a chair and a desk, or support apparatus.

  • Low seat-rear tilted posture
  • Basic posture
  • Forward tilting posture
  • Perching
  • Standing

Chapter.3 Changing your Work Posture
5 Work Postures Recommended by Okamura

01 Basic work postures - Basic posture

Detail

02 Long-term relaxation and maintaining concentration - Low seat-rear tilted posture

Detail

03 Stave off hunching forward posture and release tension on the abdomen - Forward tilting posture

Detail

04 Halfway between standing and sitting - Perching

Detail

05 Change of pace and speed-up the work - Standing

Detail

Supports the creation of an ideal posture so that the spine forms a natural S curve.

Okamura pursues 3 points to ensure ideal posture.

  1. 1.Maintaining ideal posture

    • Adjust the seat to fit the body
    • Adjust the lumbar support to align to the S curve of the spine
    • Adjust the armrests according to arm length and task

    1.Maintaining ideal posture

  2. 2.Suitable distribution of body pressure

    • Requires a suitably firm cushion
    • Waist curve varies greatly with body type
    • Back curve adjustment mechanism improves the fit to the back

    2.Suitable distribution of body pressure

  3. 3.Adhering to posture changes

    3.Adhering to posture changes

We have found a new pose called "low seat/backwards reclining" to enable long-term relaxation and maintenance of concentration.

The aim is the natural posture of zero gravity

Lowering the seat and reclining the chair back backwards stabilizes posture and reduces body stress

  • The body pressure applied to the bottom is reduced and dispersed on the seat and the chair back
  • Lowering the seat reduces swelling to the legs

Tilting the chair back and seat forwards creates an easy posture when using a computer.

Tilting the seat forward reduces pressure on the stomach

The number of people who continue to slump forward when using a computer is increasing. Tilting the seat forwards maintains the S curve of the spine by approaching the angle of the pelvis, thus reducing stress on the lower back/hips.

Because the chair back moves in concert with the seat,the upper torso is stable while working

The secret to efficient work is a mix of standing and sitting.

Similar to standing,
but less strenuous on the back

Changing position from sitting to standing and vice versa is easy

New idea:“ When I get tired of sitting, I can just stand up.”

Adjust the desk height according to the task

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