FURNITURE FENG SHUI

If the ergonomic chair you had at the office has been downgraded to Gran’s antique, it’s no wonder you’re experiencing neck or back pain. Invest in your wellbeing and save on physio bills. Here’s what to look out for:

• COMFORT Chair Crazy (chaircrazy.co.za) stocks a wide selection of new chairs; and Moving On (movingon.co.za) is great for secondhand bargains.

• ADEQUATE LUMBAR SUPPORT Buy a spine-support pillow online on Takealot (takealot.com), or roll up a small towel to put behind your back.

• HEIGHT Your desk and chair are at the correct height when your forearms and thighs are roughly parallel to the floor (with your elbows at approximately 90 degrees).

• FOOT SUPPORT Rest your feet on a footstool if they’re not flat on the ground (or put that outdated phone directory to good use).

• POSTURE Your head should be directly above your shoulders and hips. Tuck in your chin and relax and drop your shoulders.

• POSITION Your head needs to be about an arm’s length away from your screen.

• If you’re working on a laptop, consider using a separate keyboard and mouse – or a larger computer monitor – to stop you from craning your neck. Keep your keyboard and mouse close to each other to avoid having to reach.

• Use a hands-free device for long phone calls to prevent neck strain.

• It’s called a laptop, but don’t use it on your lap for any length of time. Place it on a stand to raise the screen to eye level, and use a separate keyboard on a lower level. (iStore stocks inexpensive Ergoprop stands. A couple of dictionaries will also do).