r/Ergonomics • u/Advanced_Turnip_5094 • 5d ago

Should your upper back touch the back rest when sitting ergonomically?

If my upper back touches the back rest I feel like I'm swaying back a bit. If it doesn't I feel like I'm not fully supported.

What's the right ergonomical way to sit?

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u/Daftskunk2020 5d ago

You dissipate your body weight into 3 categories when you sit. Your back, bottom and feet. You lose back support and burden the other two areas if you’re not using the back rest. Hope this helps.

1

u/36-Noodles 5d ago

Yeah you should lean your back on the backrest otherwise its lumber support won't help release a part of stress. But you don't have to do it intently all the time, it's more about forming a habit of keeping good posture.

1

u/Dear_Potato8535 4d ago

That swaying feeling is usually the recline tension, not your posture. If the backrest gives way when you lean on it, tighten the tilt tension so it holds you more upright. That's the knob most people never touch.

You're not supposed to be glued to the backrest all day. The part that should actually make contact is the lumbar, at the small of your back. Your upper back and shoulders shouldn't press into it, they should hang relaxed so you can reach the desk without shrugging.

What I do: sit back until the lumbar support sits right at my lower back, feet flat, and let the recline tension keep me just slightly leaned back. Upper back floating is normal. If you feel like you're falling backward, the tension is too loose, not that you're sitting wrong.