So what does the Herman Miller Aeron chair have to do with back-to-school season? Where there is back pain, we always recommend Herman Miller chairs as part of the solution. And as it happens, back pain is a real pain in the neck for students, which an ergonomic chair can remedy.
Experts say that carrying a backpack that's over 10% of a student's body weight can cause muscular and lower back pain. Couple the heavy burden of backpacks with the unergonomic nature of school desks, and you've got 64% of students suffering from back pain; in a study conducted by the Inland Empire Spine Center.
While you can't change the chair your student sits on at school, you can help them in three important ways: Buy the right backpack, each them good posture, and invest in an ergonomic chair like the Aeron chair by Herman Miller to ensure they sit properly at home.
The Right Backpack
First, we recommend that students:
- Invest in a padded backpack
- Wear both straps when carrying their backpack
- Limit the number of books they carry to class by utilizing their locker
- Ensure the pack is no more than 10% of the student's body weight
Wearing a lighter pack with some cushion will significantly help avoid stress points in the spine that cause back pain. Additionally, weighing the pack on a scale with books in it can give you an idea of how many books the student can carry at a time without going over 10% of their body weight.
Proper Posture
Next, make sure your student knows how to sit right at school. They should be sitting upright, with their back slightly arched and their pelvis tilted forward. In this position, the spine rests in its natural curvature in which back muscles are not straining to accommodate for poor posture. This brings us to the last step--investing in an Aeron chair.
The Aeron Chair for Studying at Home
With all the time a student spends at home on the computer or doing homework, every second they're sitting counts toward good or bad back health. The Herman Miller Aeron chair's ergonomic design will keep their back healthy by supporting good posture.
So to recap your student's strategy for a painless back-to-school season:
1. Wear your backpack correctly
2. Sit properly
3. Get an Aeron chair
If you're ready to take that third step, our refurbished Herman Miller Aeron chairs are an affordable option, and we also offer Herman Miller aeron parts so you can maintain your Aeron chair over the years. View our line of Herman Miller chairs to find a chair that's ideal for your student.
