Indications for the use of a knee chair, its types

Problems with posture are a consequence of the sedentary lifestyle of modern people. While working in front of a computer, a person involuntarily relaxes his muscles, forgets himself, and the spine takes on an incorrect position. To solve this problem, many devices have been developed, one of them is a kneeling chair that can be used by adults and children. It is designed to form correct posture precisely when working at a computer desk. This design can have a beneficial effect on the entire musculoskeletal system.

What is it and how is it different from the usual

A knee chair is an orthopedic structure made of wood or metal, designed to form the correct position of the spine, normalize posture, as well as the entire musculoskeletal system. The fact is that when sitting on an ordinary chair in a horizontal position, a person has an involuntary desire to relax the lower back, which leads to its curvature. In this case, the main load falls on the muscles of the buttocks, spine, sacrum, tailbone, and neck.

The difference between a kneeling chair is that it forces you to keep your spine vertical, since your body is in a tilted position. Thanks to this, the load moves from the lower back and falls on the leg muscles. The spine is in a similar position when a person stands. The design of the orthopedic chair provides for support for the knees, the seat is tilted, but there are no armrests.

There are also kneeling chairs with a backrest.

Now such an orthopedic chair is offered for adults and children. A person sitting on such a structure involuntarily straightens his shoulders and chest. The chair allows you to form correct posture in children and prevent spinal problems in adults. A knee pad is available on all models; it prevents you from sliding down. A person sitting on a chair can independently move the center of gravity, ultimately occupying the most comfortable position. Such products are recommended for use at home, in educational institutions and, of course, in workplaces.

This orthopedic design is a fairly tough method of combating spinal curvature caused by incorrect posture; therefore, before purchasing and using it, consultation with a specialist is recommended.

Top 5 Height Adjustable Kneeling Chairs in 2022

OLYMP SK-1-2G

Product dimensions: 65 x 49 x19.

chair OLYMP SK-1-2G

Advantages:

• mechanical gas lift system;
• landing shock absorption;
• easy height adjustment.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The chair was developed by specialists taking into account all the anatomical requirements of the spine, which will correct the curvature and prevent disastrous consequences for human health.

Olymp SK-2

The model has very small dimensions: 65 x 49 x 19.

chair Olympus SK-2

Advantages:

• height adjustment
• the quality of the material is very pleasant to the touch;
• reliable fastening system;
• high quality filler;
• rubber wheels.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The manufacturer recommends this model specifically for schoolchildren, because between the ages of 7 and 18, children begin to develop scoliosis due to the fact that they often sit at the computer, read books, or study in a crouched position.

ERNEE

The chair is compact and small: 50 × 80.

chair ERNEE

Advantages:

• nice appearance;
• ergonomic;
• additional rubber wheels included;
• easy to operate.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The frame is made of natural beech, but the material does not have any special requirements for operation.

BOGATYR

Dimensions: 42 x 60.

chair BOGATYR

Advantages:

• comfortable;
• made of durable, high-quality materials;
• easy height change.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The product is suitable for schoolchildren, students, office workers. The design of this model is universal.

Indications and benefits of use

A kneeling stool has the following advantages:

• reducing the load on the back muscles, unloading the sacrum, lower back and coccyx;
• uniform distribution of body weight and pressure on the spine during prolonged sitting;
• developing the correct habit of holding your back;
• reducing fatigue and increasing performance due to correct body position;
• normalization of gastrointestinal tract activity, since compression of the peritoneal area is reduced;
• resumption of blood supply to muscles;
• normalization of free breathing after expansion of the lungs.

The main advantage of a chair with a knee rest is that it allows you to prevent curvature of the spinal column at home. This reduces the risk of developing osteochondrosis, disc protrusion and intervertebral hernias.

The use of the design must be approved by a physician. Orthopedic specialists recommend using the device for the following disorders:

• when identifying signs of scoliosis, stool helps reduce the space between the vertebrae;
• in case of asymmetry of the back muscles, incorrect posture;
• with intercostal neuralgia;
• in the case of a bulging intervertebral disc;
• with kyphoscoliosis.

The properties of the orthopedic design make it possible to use the chair for children whose musculoskeletal system has not yet fully formed, schoolchildren and students. It is also used by adults whose work forces them to spend several hours sitting. Due to its ability to normalize the activity of internal organs, an orthopedic chair with emphasis on the knees can be used by expectant mothers expecting a new addition to the family. It is used not only for correction, but also as a preventative measure for disorders in the spine that appear due to incorrect posture.

Recent studies have confirmed that the preventive effect of a knee-resting chair allows experts to recommend its use not only to people with spinal disorders, but also to healthy people.

Incorrect posture

Intercostal neuralgia

Bulging intervertebral disc

Scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis

Comfort or correct posture

Most often, people confuse comfortable chairs with orthopedic ones. As practice shows, the opposite is true: the more comfortable it is to sit on a chair, the more problems with the spine appear. Therefore, you should not choose a chair based on the comfort of its use.

You should not select these pieces of furniture based on their appearance. It is clear that the aesthetic component is very important, but the chair must meet all orthopedic properties and be as easy as possible to use. Appearance is the last criterion that you need to pay attention to when choosing an orthopedic knee chair.

Contraindications

Despite the obvious benefits of using a kneeling chair, its use can cause some difficulties and discomfort. Among the disadvantages of this design are:

• painful sensations in the knees;
• slipping from the seat;
• numbness of the legs;
• height of the structure.

However, such shortcomings can be caused by incorrect selection of a chair, so they are relative. At the same time, there are contraindications to the use of the design, among them:

• congenital anomalies of the spine;
• presence of back injuries;
• deformed spine;
• third stage of scoliosis;
• prepatellar bursitis;
• changes in the hip bones;
• Osgood-Schlatter disease with severe pain.

You should always consult your physician before purchasing and using this product.

Congenital spinal anomalies

Presence of back injuries

Deformed spine

Third stage of scoliosis

Prepatellar bursitis

Osgood-Schlatter disease

Types of products

Today, the market offers products for children and adults. They can be dynamic or adjustable. The first ones combine a kneeling chair and a rocking chair, ideal for children who have to spend a lot of time sitting and allow them to change position. The latter are used for tables of different heights, since you can independently choose the appropriate position and fix it. Their adjustment principle is smooth or stepwise. At the same time, the products are produced in several varieties depending on the type of base:

1. Models with solid support - legs or slats.
2. With wheels. These chairs can be moved freely.
3. On a special base in the form of curved runners, thanks to which the design allows you to bend while on a chair, while maintaining correct posture.
4. With the right firm back, it aims to support the lumbar area and relieve pressure on it.
5. Kneeling chair in the form of a corset with a specialized design. It supports the head, lumbar region and shoulder blades.

The product must be selected individually. Some models are offered with a reclining backrest. When choosing, you need to take into account all the patient’s parameters: weight, height, curvature of the spinal column, etc. Some types of such furniture offer dynamic fit, which adds orthopedic functions. These chairs will ensure the mobility of the vertebrae, and this is very important when sitting for long periods of time.

Adjustable

Dynamic

With solid support

With wheels

With a firm back

Kneeling chair in the form of a corset

Reviews

There are quite a lot of reviews about this invention and all of them, with the exception of a few, are positive.

But if you look and read many forums, you will get the impression that these reviews are nothing more than advertising.

First, let's take a quick look at what people who purchased it say about the chair. We will not take into account positive opinions here; every forum is already replete with them.

Let's pay attention to the negative aspects. From people’s words, let’s highlight the following nuances:

• the load is placed mainly on the knees, and it is impossible to sit on a chair for longer than 15 minutes,
• The back muscles cannot maintain a straight back position for a long time. When the muscles get tired, a person simply will not be able to sit, he will want to lie down.

Now we will present several real reviews of orthopedists about the knee chair, as well as specialists in other fields.

Malinov V.O., chiropractor: “One advertisement and no evidence. If only someone could show pictures of his spine to prove that this miracle chair saved him from scoliosis. These chairs can even replace all the furniture in the house, but there will be no therapeutic effect.”

Kotova E.D., orthopedist: “A chair is just an organization of a workplace, nothing more. If you want to do something useful for your back, then just train your muscles and create a good muscle corset. Then your back will be comfortable on a regular stool. No one has canceled physical education and exercise therapy.”

Manufacturing materials

Metal and wood are used to produce orthopedic kneeling chairs. The use of the former in the design allows increasing reliability, stability, and service life. Thanks to this, the product becomes universal and the adjustment possibilities expand. The steel base is chrome plated, painted with special paints or treated with Teflon coating.

For wooden models, solid oak, beech or multi-layer plywood are used. For home use, as a rule, these products are chosen because they are easier to fit into the interior, and in addition, such products weigh less. But if you need a chair that will retain its properties for as long as possible, then it is better to give preference to models with a steel frame.

Metal

Tree

Different materials are used as filling for knee pads and backrests. The most popular are foam rubber and latex. The first material is flexible, hypoallergenic, inexpensive, and lasts about five years. Latex is more elastic and porous. Thanks to the antistatic effect, dust accumulates less on it. It retains its qualities for up to ten years.

The surface of the chair is upholstered in fabric, leather and its substitute; there are also models with replaceable covers. Textiles allow air to pass through well, but if they get dirty, they are difficult to clean. The leather repels water and dust and is durable, but such models are more expensive. Products made from substitutes are cheaper, but they are not as wear-resistant. An excellent option is chairs with replaceable covers; they are easier to fit into the interior. In addition, they are much easier to care for.

Replacement cover

Fabric

Leather

Top 3 kneeling chairs with soft back in 2022

Thatsit Balances

The chair has standard dimensions: 49 × 91.

Thatsit Balans chair

Advantages:

• adjustable knee support;
• nice appearance;
• durability;
• no creaking;
• made from safe materials;
• dynamic landing;
• quickly adapts to the user's height.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The chair is very durable, with a metal frame.

Smarttool KM01B

The product dimensions are as follows: 68 x 50 x 23 (including box).

chair Smartstool KM01B

Advantages:

• ergonomic;
• attractive appearance;
• easy operation;
• inexpensive;
• easy.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Durable, powder-coated steel frame with locking fit.

SpinalAssist

The dimensions of the product are impressive and amount to 80 x 150 x 130

SpinalAssist chair

Advantages:

• folds out to a horizontal position;
• lie comfortably;
• nice appearance;
• various variations of possible poses that the chair allows you to make;
• seat depth adjustment.

Flaws:

• high price.

The model is universal, so it will become an indispensable assistant in your work.

Since most kneeling chairs are made to keep the back muscles tense, there are very few models with backs. However, it is certainly convenient when you can lean back and relax during the workday, and then continue working again. That is why we decided to add several models with soft backs to the rating.

Tips for choosing

An orthopedic knee chair must be selected personally, this is how you can ensure the maximum effect from its use. For example, a chair for a schoolchild will differ from an adult’s chair in terms of the dimensions of the structure. When choosing a product, you should pay attention to the following features:

• the presence of mechanisms for adjusting the angle of the seat, its height in relation to the knee pad;
• mobile qualities - with the help of wheels, the chair can be easily moved around the room if necessary;
• availability of safety certificates;
• materials used - steel will be more durable than wood, textiles are preferable for soft parts of the structure;
• height and weight parameters of the potential user, they should not exceed the maximum allowable for the product.

The chair does not relieve the user from the need for regular exercise. They should be carried out at least once every hour.

Availability of mechanisms for adjusting the seat angle

Mobile qualities

Materials used

User height and weight parameters

Top 5 Best Kneeling Chairs with Soft Seat in 2022

Olymp SK-1-2 COMFORT

The dimensions of the product are not entirely bulky: 65 x 49 x 19.

chair Olymp SK-1-2 COMFORT

Advantages:

• material with memory effect (remembers the bends of body parts);
• the ability to select a configuration (mechanical gas lift or manual control if it is not available);
• soft material (does not cause pain when working on a chair for a long time).

Flaws:

• no backrest.

Due to the possible height adjustment, the chair will last a long time, so you don’t have to worry that your child will have to buy a new one next year.

Smarttool KM01L

The chair dimensions are standard: 45 x 65.

chair Smartstool KM01L

Advantages:

• the presence of roller wheels (for more convenient operation, the manufacturer also provided plugs to turn a mobile one into a stationary one);
• suitable for tall people (up to 1.95 m);
• non-staining fabric;
• attractive design;
• gas lift (the ability to adjust the chair without getting up from it).

Flaws:

• not detected.

The chair is suitable for both adults and children.

Humpbacked Horse BalancePlus

The dimensions of the chair are not large at all: 51 x 50 x 71.

chair Little Humpbacked Horse BalancePlus

Advantages:

• attractive appearance;
• chemical composition of the material that is safe for health;
• light weight;
• the pillow under the knees does not squeeze the knee space;
• durable monolithic frame.

Flaws:

• restrictions up to 180 cm;
• It’s uncomfortable to sit in tight clothes.

For the convenience of customers, the manufacturer has provided additional cushions on the kneerest so that the edges do not wrinkle under the support of the legs, and the knees do not accidentally slip.

Smarttool KW02

The dimensions of the chair are quite small: 68 x 46 x 20.

chair Smartstool KW02

Advantages:

• affordable price;
• takes up little space;
• nice design;
• suitable for tall people;
• adjustable to any table height;
• durable wheels (do not fly out when moving);
• The frame is made of natural durable wood, and the likelihood of getting a splinter is too small.

Flaws:

• selecting the desired color for an additional fee (standard: black, and covers will have to be purchased in addition).

The chair attracts not only its appearance, but also its quality. The chair does not break and serves for a long time without any complaints.

Wing Balances

I can't help but be pleased with the size of the chair: 50 x 69 x 51.

Wing Balance chair

Advantages:

• non-slip wheels (you don’t have to worry that the chair will suddenly move);
• presence of gas lift;
• easy;
• does not creak;
• you can sit in various positions without limiting yourself;
• does not become loose after prolonged use.

Flaws:

• not detected.

The ergonomic seat does not cause any discomfort and “forces” you to keep your back straight.

Many companies are trying to make and release to the market a unique product that could satisfy all the needs of the buyer. In particular, a soft seat is extremely important, since hard material and lack of filler bring very unpleasant and painful sensations.

How to use it correctly

Before sitting on a kneeling chair, it is important to choose the correct height of the structure. It needs to be adjusted based on the person’s height and build. Typically, models are equipped with at least three levels. Therefore, the distance between the upper and lower cushion should be reduced according to the height of the user.

In addition, it is important to know how to choose the right table. To do this, sit on a chair, bend your arm and raise it 15 centimeters from your body. The height of the table should be equal to the distance from the elbow to the floor. Also, during use, a kneeling chair without a back should be positioned in such a way that your arms rest on the tabletop and do not hang from it.

Experts recommend using children's kneeling chairs for preventive and therapeutic purposes. This will help avoid spinal curvature and posture problems. However, any use of orthopedic structures should be carried out after consulting a doctor. The use of the product for correct posture is recommended by orthopedic specialists; reviews of its use are mostly positive.

Choose the right height of the structure

Find a table

Chairs for schoolchildren

Most parents are concerned about the problem of correct posture of their children. It is quite difficult to force a baby who is constantly moving, in a hurry somewhere, and when he gets tired, starts to tilt his head to the side, to sit upright at the table.

The best reviews about kneeling chairs for schoolchildren can be heard about designs without wheels. Such models not only straighten your posture, but also do not spoil the floor covering. There is an opportunity to swing on a chair, which many children especially like. But balancing kneeling chairs aren't just for kids. It is the ability to swing that allows you to calm the nervous system and relax; such designs are approved for use during pregnancy.

Quite good reviews from the kneeling chair for children called “The Little Hunchback”. The model is also manufactured by a domestic manufacturer and can support a person’s weight up to 100 kg. Adjustable in 3 positions and suitable for all standard height desks.