Importance of Good Seating
Reading, chatting, working and watching television are usually done sitting down. A good sitting posture allows us to perform daily tasks without having to consider how we sit in terms of balance, stability or comfort. Tiny movements in position allow us to correct discomfort and maintain our posture in response to how comfortable we are, what we are doing and what is going on around us. It is apparent that we rarely spend time only sitting and we very rarely sit absolutely still.

Looking at different types of chair, we see that seat height and depth, arm support, even firmness of cushion can affect how much we alter our position for greater support or to relieve pressure in muscles and joints. If our movements are affected by age, disability or illness we need to pay greater attention to the features of a chair, as corrections to posture are not always easy. It is important to match the features of the chair with the physical needs of the user, as well as considering where the chair will be used and what the user will be doing when sitting.

By doing this, we can hope to see the benefits of good sitting such as more active and constructive lifestyles, faster recuperation from strokes and illness, maintenance of body shape and prevention of pressure related problems. In turn, these benefits can lead to greater independence for the user and more effective use of nursing time and resources.

Next: Correct sitting technique