I bought a chair yesterday … not just any old chair either!

‘What’s so special about this chair?’, I hear you say.

Arthritis and spondylosis – I have both these conditions in my lower lumbar. Long hours in the studio, mainly standing, without a decent supportive chair to sit on means when I get home everything aches, my neck, shoulders, arms, back, legs, feet. Pain is knackering!

His nibs has been pestering me for a loooong time to get a better chair so that I can sit and work rather than stand for the majority of the day. He finally persuaded me to take this seriously. He pointed out the obvious really – if I don’t take him seriously soon, doing what I love doing will become too painful and debilitating to carry on.

We set the day aside on Friday to go and speak to some specialists in the area of ergonomically designed work station chairs. I went along somewhat skeptical that a specially designed chair, as opposed to a bog standard stool was worth investing in. Cost is a factor. Some of these chairs can cost in excess of £600 – £1000 (all singing, all dancing). I had no intention of spending that kind of money … and I didn’t.

This is where his nibs comes into his own … and what persuaded me to at least take a look and try a few out. His nibs had ascertained that quite often there are ex-demo chairs going at significantly reduced prices.

The chair I eventually went for is from The Human Office in Gateshead. When we arrived Les Creen took me through a detailed questionnaire about what I do, where I do it, how I do it and so on. I thought my main problem was standing and the impact on my lower back. It soon became apparent as I tried a few draughtsman type chairs and the level of attention and detail Les paid to how I sat, where I sat, the height at which I need to sit at for different tasks, etc., that the other aches and pains I have are all caused by standing in one place for 7-8+ hour periods. My sore neck, stiff and painful shoulders and tight mid thorax; the tennis and golfers elbow I am currently getting treatment for, which is  like a really bad toothache in my arm at night; my sore deadweight legs and a recent bout of plantar fasciitis are all inter-connected. The fact that I currently, stubbornly, insist on standing all day, not taking regular breaks, or mixed things round with standing, moving, sitting during the day has exacerbated, if not actually caused some of the issues I have.

I found the chair, not just any chair, but the right chair for me and the tasks I perform. It was so comfortable and it arrives on Monday … delivered to my studio … and Les is going to check that it is all set up correctly for me. I’m actually excited about a chair! It’s the little things you know. It has adjustable lumbar support, adjustable height; it will have a foot ring; it tilts back as well as forward and has adjustable height arm rests.

I’ll let you know how I get on and whether it is money well spent soon.

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