Ergonomic chairs

I have been carefully looking at affordable ergonomic task chair options as I am in desperate need of a replacement for my current “office” chair. This is also going to coincide with a new mattress or bed, so I will no doubt add some observations about those over the next few days.

For anyone unsure of what I am talking about, a task chair is one designed for a certain task (typically working at a desk and using a PC/laptop) and the ergonomic element relates to the design being sympathetic with the human body (skeletal structure, muscles etc).

All things being equal, I would buy either a chair that is only available in Canada, but which has memory foam cushioning, a chair by ergo human (that costs about £450, UK) or the Herman Miller Aeron, which is generally regarded as “the dady” and that has a price tag to suit.

Unfortunately, my budget does not extend to either the price ranges or import costs of these chairs. Even so, I have managed to find a company who source from a local manufacturer and who can give me a fully functional (although bland looking) ergonomic chair for $199 + VAT (15% tax).

The chair looks like most basic office chairs with a padded (but waterfall style seat) and backrest. The big difference is in the adjustable attributes which number 9 separate areas of personalisation. These range from seat slide, tilt and height to inflatable lumbar support and adjustable armrests.

In short the chair looks pretty grim, but as I will be sat on it and not looking at it, the level of user personalisation (plus its cheap unbranded price) puts it at the top of my list.

I will make a decision over the course of the next few days and will no doubt offer some first hand observations if I buy it.

Diabetic shoes

Continuing the orthopedic shoes posts…..

In addition to regular “well designed” shoes, comfort fit shoes, and orthopedic insoles, another shoe type often referred to is the diabetic shoe.

Sores and scratches on the feet can be particularly troublesome for some diabetes sufferers and they can lead to very serious problems if they remain untreated, so the best way to avoid such difficulties is by wearing the right kind of shoes.

Diabetic shoes simply use all of the different “good design and manufacture” practices available. This means that they should provide a shoe that is comfortable, avoids pressure points and abrasions to the foot, and prevents the kinds of foot damage that can be problematic to those with diabetes.

The qualities of diabetic shoes vary, but typically include all of the following:

Plenty of room for the toes to move and wiggle.

No projecting internal seams that can rub or wear against the foot.

Lots of padding and cushioning at the sole and against the shoe’s upper.

Good ventilation and breath-ability properties.

Multiple fastening points (i.e. 2, 3 or 4 fastenings) so that the shoe can be made secure without strangling the foot. Hook and loop fasteners are common.

Good and well padded heel support.

A flexible sole that encourages foot flexing during walking.

An insole structure that is accommodating of the foot with good arch support.

A number of companies specialise in this kind of shoe and good diabetic shoes should be able to take separate insoles which allow the exact (perfect) fit to be achieved.

Most diabetic and orthopedic shoes look just like most other regular shoes. Naturally, cheap and low quality manufacture and materials are not suitable and neither are high heels.

Shoe buying tips

Following on from the last post on shoe insoles, here are some shoe buying tips/facts to be aware of.

You should think about, consider and request information concerning each of these items if you try-on or intend buying some good shoes.

Fit

Many people actually have different sized feet, so if this applies to you try on shoes separately (in alternative sizes) for each foot. If you feel that you would be best advised to take a different size for each foot, see if it is possible to order a “none matching” pair of shoes through the manufacturer. Many good quality internet sites, stores and manufacturers will allow this.


Shoes should be available in width as well as length sizes. All good quality orthopedic shoes will have separate size scales for this breadth measurement and you should try the same length size in different width sizes.


Style

Bad shoe selection generally results from allowing style to rule over comfort.

Do not buy shoes with excessively high heals, tight narrow straps, hard insoles or un-breath-able materials.

Options

Go for shoes with plenty of foot depth. This allows the addition a removable insole. This insole can be customised to you and will add comfort and longevity to the shoes.

Do not be afraid to try shoes on and, if they are for regular wear, sport or walking, keep them on for several minutes. Your feet need time to adjust to them. Try loosening them tightening them and walking around in them. Then imagine how they would be feeling after 8 hours of wear.

Finally, do not buy a pair of shoes unless you are confident that they are the right fit. Badly fitting shoes can not only affect your feet, but also your legs and back.

Shoe insoles

Anyone can and should get and try out a number of different shoe insoles. Insoles are critical to the performance and comfort of a shoe and they come in an array of different types and materials.

The oldest types of shoe insole were made from leather or cork and they provided a basic shaping to the contour of the foot, but little else.

Over recent years, more advanced materials have been used for this purpose and they include memory foam, latex and gel.

All of these materials have seen numerous applications in the orthopedic product market and particularly in beds, bedding and mattresses.

Memory foam insoles are made from the same visco elastic memory foam that is widely promoted for mattresses and if offers the same properties. This means that it can shape and mould itself to the unique shape of every foot. This is particularly significant because very few people have identical, but laterally reversed. feet.

Most people will have one foot smaller than the other and there may be some shape differences too. An insole made from memory foam will cater for these differences and balance the feet out.

If you buy a memory foam insole you need to get the highest density (i.e. kg per square metre, or pound per square inch) as possible. Low density foams may feel soft and padded initially, but they will soon fail to recover there original profile and will become hard and of little use.

Latex insoles offer the same kind of padding and supporting solution as memory foam, but they have been around for a longer period of time. Natural latex is superior to the cheaper synthetic variety.

Gel insoles are increasingly common and they come in a variety of types.

Some gels are in a liquid form and will squash and compress easily, whilst others are set and offer a less “fluid like” movement.

Some gel insoles have a profile that takes account of the arch of the foot and some offer what is described as a massaging sensation. It is also possible to buy gel foot cushions that can be positioned under a certain part of the foot, or to buy heel cups or heel pads. You can even find special toe separators that ensure that one toe does not roll over another.

For more information on insoles, special shoes and the like, see the page linked below: http://www.ggfootcare.co.uk/store/content_cat/15. It covers shoe inserts and information about them.