Many owners of ergonomic kneeling chairs complain of shin splint problems. Ergonomic kneeling chairs are designed so that the seat tilts downward and part of the body weight is supported on a shin pad. The body gets used to sitting in a certain way, and this way has been reinforced, for most of us, throughout our lives. Once you are asked to switch to a new way of sitting, the body will naturally feel discomfort because the pattern is broken, as is the case with shin splints. A quick fix for any discomfort in the shins: adjust the meat.
An ergonomic kneeling chair has two main adjustments that are available on most designs. First, the forward lean angle of the seat has a direct effect on the distribution of weight between the shins and the buttocks. A traditional chair has a flat angle of 90 degrees, of which 90% of the body’s weight is supported by the seat and the other 10% remains in contact between the feet and the ground. The seat tilts down 20-30%. In this configuration, the shins support up to 20% of the body’s weight.
Most modern ergonomic kneeling chairs have a seat tilt adjustment. If you are shopping for an ergonomic kneeling chair, it is recommended to invest in a model that has this adjustment available. Older models may have a height adjustment that also affects the tilt of the seat, as the design incorporates a folding action. Newer models have independent adjustment that does not affect the height of the chair. Preserving chair height may or may not be important to your ergonomic station, depending on the location, height, or monitor.
The second adjustment that will affect shin comfort is the shin guard itself. On the more expensive models of ergonomic kneeling chairs, an angled adjustment for the shin guard is available. When adjusting, a sharper angle will affect the amount of compression felt between the calves and thighs. Many report that this contact is uncomfortable due to lack of circulation in the legs, so they relax the angle. Otherwise, a more acute angle tends to be more beneficial for the bones in the body. Acute angle compression strengthens the bone density of the femur and fibula, favoring stability and robustness. An acute angled seat is the posture that most closely mimics the kneeling position of Buddhist monks, whose original design was modelled.
Also, the padding of the shin guard may be inadequate. Be sure to select an ergonomic kneeling chair with a high-quality, firm foam material in the padding. Many consumers complain about cheap kneeling chairs that do not have adequate padding on the shins and can feel the contact with the wood. Memory foam and thick cotton padding are usually the best options. When buying, be sure to browse the reviews that people leave. If your shin padding is bad, this will be one of the first things customers complain about about your ergonomic kneeling chair.
