Chairs that adopt some version of orthopedic design vary quite considerably from those that use the principals of good support, upright posture and general health to those that are more specific and help people to stand up or sit back down.
Then there are stairlift chairs which, although not really orthopedic or therapy chairs, do serve a very specific purpose for anyone with a mobility restriction. For that reason they also require a mention.
The main categories of what are often termed “orthopedic chairs” fall into the following classifications.
The healthy orthopedic chair – which is a high backed, high seated chair with good support, firm but contoured cushioning and a solid construction.
The ergonomic office chair or task chair – intended for use in a working environment by people who perform their jobs from a seated position.
The riser recliner chair – that has motors that enable it to raise the person seated on it to a “close to” standing position.
Each of these chairs does a very important job and all do have some similarities like good back support, a suitable seat height from the floor level and the ability to help in a task or activity, even if it is a sedentary one.
Each chair also tries to maintain health, improve health or prevent injury through its design and/or function.
On an aside, another interesting product, this time associated with the mattress, is the foam topper thats sits on a mattress. These toppers can also have orthopedic qualities, though in this case applied to someone who is lying down rather than in a seated position. Toppers can enhance the way in which a bed provides support to the body and memory foam toppers have become very popular.
The memory foam found in toppers and mattresses is also starting to become available in some orthopedic and task chairs. This should make these chairs more comfortable for anyone who spends a lot of time sat down.
