From: Brynn Bollinger To: Multiple recipients of list SOREHAND Subject: Re: chairs Date: Monday, April 21, 1997 4:07PM In response to Amy's question on chairs: -------------------- Since dealing with RSI does sometimes involve radical new things, I use a chair that seems radical at first glance, but is actually very sound. Perhaps some of the "posture" experts on our list would have an opinion! It has been mentioned before--in fact, I first heard about it on this list, and subsequently ordered one on my own, subsequently, after many moon, my employer ordered one for my office so I don't have to take it back and forth between work and home! It is the Bambach Saddle Seat, which is shaped like a saddle. The biggest advantage is that the pelvis is allowed to maintain a normal position, similar to that while standing--one thing that other chairs do not allow. It makes me sit aligned, so that my spine is doing most of the supporting, rather than the muscles. It is a very adjustable chair--the height is adjusted by means of a gas lift, comes in a model with a back, which is also fully adjustable for height and position, and the seat also tilts forward or backward to suit our various differences in body builds. It is on carpet castors for super mobility. It also comes in taller models for tall people, or for drafting. They are used in Australia a lot by dentists and hygenists, with a growing number of rehab specialists recommending them as well. I was intrigued because I also ride horseback, and do competitive long distance riding, requiring 6-9 hours in the saddle 2 days in a row, yet I had trouble sitting in a chair for 10 minutes! It is the same principle that allows handicapped people to balance horseback when they can't sit unaided--this is actually how the design got started. I only wish they would install the saddle seat in cars! (and in auditoriums, theaters, conference rooms, etc.!) I take mine with me whenever I know I am going to be seated for long periods. Right now I am not using the back on my chair so that I can transport it easily! Price right now is less than $600, including delivery to the US from Australia. I would think that to UK would be even less. I have used mine since April 96, and wouldn't be without it! If you want more info, here is how to contact the company, which has been wonderful to deal with as well. Bambach Saddle Seat bambach@ozemail.com.au http://www.ozemail.com.au/~bambach Voice:+61-2-9938-5622 Fax : +61-2-9938-3973 102 Old Pittwater Road Brookvale -NSW- 2100 Australia One satisfied customer! I also like the kneeling chairs, but my knees didn't, and they are not very mobile. This chair makes it so easy to move about the office, from desk to computer, to phone, to files, etc. Let me know what you think after looking at the web site. They do a lot of business in England, I believe, especially with dentists. Here's to your success in finding the right chair for you, Amy!! Brynn -------------------- >hello sorehanders, > >cool and crisp in england today. where's that sun? > >i'm in the market for a chair. this one is useless. and that despite the >look of it. came with the rental accom. now for proper chairs my back and >arms and shoulders are crying out. > >i have an appointment with a firm which claims it specialises in rsi, neck >and back. they offer postural training with chairs. most of their products >are the kneeling style. any experience out there with them? thoughts? my >back says it needs good lumbar support but i dont' know much about this. > >any comments would be appreciated. thanks > >Amy >-- brynn@sirius.llnl.gov ***************************************** Sherri Mains wrote: >BRYNN: > >I have only one ? - have you ever fallen off this chair? > >Must be weird sitting with out a back rest? >Sherri --------------- On the contrary!! The saddle seat is very stable (no pun intended??)--feet are flat on the floor so there is no risk of falling off! The back rest is not necessary for proper posture--the beautiful thing about this chair is that the body is aligned so that the spine provides most of the support (as it should!) so that there is no need for "support" from a back, or a lumbar support, etc. The proper lumbar curve is maintained naturally rather than artificially--other chairs can achieve lumbar support at the expense of other alignment, such as the pelvis or cervical spine. Use of the back needs to be limited, as a matter of fact, to times when one is leaning back into it-- relaxing, or talking to people, or on the phone. If the back rest is moved far enough forward to be felt during desk work or computer work, it tends to push one too far onto the front of the chair, and the spinal alignment and balance are lost. Long answer to a quick question!! Brynn brynn@sirius.llnl.gov *********************************