Benefits of High Hip Chair
When it comes to comfortable seating, a high hip chair can be a game changer for many people. Whether you’re recovering from hip surgery, dealing with arthritis or other mobility issues, or simply looking for a more ergonomic and supportive chair, a high hip chair can offer a range of benefits. In this post, we’ll explore some of the key benefits of a high hip chair and why you might want to consider one for your home or workplace.
What is a High Hip Chair?
First, let’s define what we mean by a high hip chair. Typically, a high hip chair is a chair that has a seat height of around 26-27 inches, which is higher than a standard chair or dining chair. This extra height can make it easier to get in and out of the chair, which can be especially important if you have mobility issues, are recovering from surgery, or have other health concerns that make it difficult to bend or stoop.
Benefits of a High Hip Chair
1. Improved Comfort
One of the primary benefits of a high hip chair is improved comfort. When you sit in a chair that is too low, you may find that your knees are higher than your hips, which can cause discomfort and strain in your lower back and legs. By contrast, a high hip chair positions your hips higher than your knees, which can help to reduce pressure and strain on your joints. Additionally, a high hip chair can offer more support for your back and neck, reducing the risk of pain and discomfort.
2. Easier Sitting and Standing
Another major benefit of a high hip chair is that it can make it easier to sit down and stand up. If you have mobility issues or are recovering from surgery, you may find it difficult to bend your knees and hips to get in and out of a standard chair. With a high hip chair, you can simply lower yourself onto the seat and then stand up without having to bend or stoop as much. This can be especially helpful if you have limited mobility or if you are dealing with pain or weakness in your hips, knees, or back.
3. Better Posture
Sitting in a high hip chair can also help to improve your posture. When you sit in a chair that is too low, you may find yourself slouching or leaning forward, which can cause strain on your neck, shoulders, and back. By contrast, a high hip chair can encourage you to sit up straight and maintain good posture, which can help to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort.
4. More Ergonomic
Finally, a high hip chair can be more ergonomic than a standard chair or dining chair. Ergonomics refers to the science of designing products and workspaces that are optimized for human use, with the goal of reducing the risk of injury and improving comfort and efficiency. A high hip chair is designed to be more comfortable and supportive for people who have mobility issues or other health concerns, making it a better choice for people who spend a lot of time sitting.
Choosing a High Hip Chair
If you’re considering a high hip chair, there are a few factors to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to look for a chair that is the right height for your needs. Most high hip chairs have a seat height of around 26-27 inches, but you may need a different height depending on your height and mobility needs. Additionally, you’ll want to look for a chair that is comfortable and supportive, with features like a padded seat and backrest, armrests, and a sturdy frame.
What does the research say?
In this study, researchers wanted to understand how different types of chairs and stools affect our joints and muscles when we sit and stand up. They looked at nine healthy men and compared four types of stools.
High Stool without Armrests: This stool was taller than a normal chair but didn’t have any armrests.
High Stool with Armrests: Similar to the high stool but with armrests for support.
Low Stool without Armrests: This stool was the same height as a regular chair and didn’t have armrests.
Low Stool with Armrests: Like the low stool but with armrests.
They measured the force on the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the men when they stood up from these stools. They also looked at the activity in leg muscles using a special tool called EMG.
Here’s what they found:
- When people stood up from the high stool, their knee joints had about 60% less force compared to standing up from a regular chair. This means it was easier on their knees.
- Using the high stool or armrests on the stools reduced the force on the hip joint by about 50%. This made standing up easier on the hips.
- The ankle joint wasn’t affected much by the different stools.
- The muscle on the side of the thigh (vastus lateralis) was more active when people stood up from a regular chair compared to the high stools. This muscle was less active when they used the high stools.
- Another thigh muscle (rectus femoris) wasn’t very active, and a different muscle (semitendinosus) was active earlier when people stood up from the high stools.
- People felt that standing up from the higher stool was easier compared to the lower stool or a regular chair without armrests.
In simple terms, the study concluded that using high stools, especially with armrests, can be better for your knees and hips when you need to sit and stand up frequently. It’s a good option for people who switch between sitting and standing while working.
Conclusion
Overall, a high hip chair can be a valuable investment for anyone who is looking for a more comfortable and supportive seating option.
Whether you’re recovering from hip surgery, dealing with arthritis or other mobility issues, or simply looking for a more ergonomic chair, a high hip chair can provide a range of benefits that can help to improve your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
By choosing a chair that is the right height and designed with your needs in mind, you can enjoy the benefits of improved posture, reduced strain on your joints, and easier sitting and standing.
Important Links
If you’re interested in learning more about high hip chairs and other seating options for people with mobility issues, there are a number of resources available online. Here are a few links to get you started:
The Arthritis Foundation – https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis
The American Occupational Therapy Association – https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Manage/Home-Office-Ergonomics-Tips.pdf
The National Institute on Aging – https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/maintaining-mobility-and-preventing-disability-are-key-living-independently-we-age
The National Council on Aging – https://www.ncoa.org/caregivers/health/prevention/falls-prevention
