Orthopedic chairs for schoolchildren

School age is a special period in a child's life. From the moment the baby went to school, the main load on his spine begins. The danger lies in the fact that the student spends a lot of time in a sitting position, which is not natural, and therefore unhealthy.

The student's orthopedic chair is a special piece of furniture that has a peculiar structure and does not look like an ordinary chair. A distinctive feature of such furniture is its focus on posture correction. This is not furniture for a comfortable sitting: the orthopedic chair is rigid in shape and does not adjust to the user. He forces the child to take the only correct position for the spine.

The need for this furniture is due to the fact that students move little, taking the wrong posture: in the morning at school, at home for lessons. However, if there is still an opportunity to change the position at home, at school the movements during the lesson are limited. Here lies the danger: the spine freezes in the wrong position and is forced to suffer, experiencing a huge load.

An addition to the problem is school furniture, which is inconvenient and does not provide for different heights and builds of children. The only thing that distinguishes school chairs is that they can have two height positions, which can be changed by screwing bolts into higher grooves. However, there is no benefit from this: the shape of the chairs does not meet the requirements of the body, while the child suffers.

The task of the orthopedic chair is to provide the student with maximum benefit, to reduce the curvature of the back. Often at school, children are seated in such a way that they need to turn sideways for a better view of the board. This factor often leads to poor posture. The percentage of healthy children today is minimal.

The student's orthopedic chair is a functional piece of furniture.

Depending on the model, it is capable of:

• to be the prevention of diseases of the spine;
• unload the spine by relieving muscle tension;
• to form a beautiful and understandable handwriting;
• normalize blood circulation;
• relieve pain in the back, shoulder girdle and head;
• relieve numbness of the limbs.

This product is used for a long time: until the child graduates from school. If it is chosen correctly, starting from an early age, the student will sit correctly, evenly, no matter what kind of chairs are in the school. The task of the orthopedic chair is to secure the correct position of the back: having got used to furniture with an orthopedic effect, the student's posture will be beautiful and correct.

The orthopedic chair for schoolchildren has a lot of advantages. He:

• has a rich model range, which is distinguished by functionality, which allows you to choose a product with a set of important additions (rollers, footrests);
• depending on the model, it has adjustable backrest height and seat position;

• helps to maintain the required muscle tone;
• forms a straight line of the spine, supplying the pelvic organs with oxygen;
• it is a solid and reliable construction that provides for professional assembly, therefore it is safe for a child;
• convenient and easy to use, adjusts to the individual parameters of the child;
• has positive recommendations from orthopedic specialists;
• it is distinguished by the reliability of the supports, due to which it does not fall, does not tilt to the sides, does not create additional stress;

• has anatomical components that repeat the correct shape of the back and provide for a comfortable position with unloading of the genitals, on which maximum pressure is created;
• has a different design, taking into account the gender and tastes of children;
• is stylish furniture that harmoniously fits into the interior of the children's room;
• Often sold complete with a desk that is correctly configured in height and matching in style;
• depending on the complexity of the design, it differs in a different price, which allows parents to choose the most optimal option, taking into account the recommendations of specialists and the budget planned for the purchase.

Not every model on display in a store is worth buying. Despite the wide range of brands, not all products take into account the physical capabilities of children. Some products provide for the redistribution of the shock load from the back to the knees, which not every child can withstand. Such correctors are a rather tough preventive measure, and often they simply stand idle in the corner of the room: it is impossible to lean on your knees for a long time.

It is far from always possible to buy what you like: if the price of budget options is about 3,000 rubles, ergonomic varieties of imported manufacturers often scare away buyers with a price of 20,000-30,000 rubles. It turns out that the better the chair and the more correct its shape, the less accessible it is.

Thanks to modern developments and new technologies, the presented assortment is diverse. Models for children, which, together with a complex of physical exercises, can relieve students from back diseases, repeat the curves of the body and have different regulators.

They are conventionally divided into three age groups:

• models for primary school students (6-8 years old);
• options for high school (9-12 years old);
• devices for teenagers (12-15 years old and older).

The main components of each model are the frame, backrest, seat, legs and rotating casters. Some products are equipped with additional rollers, have a cutout for the knees and different positions of the footrests. In most products, the base is quite massive: so the chair adheres well to the floor surface, it does not tip over if you accidentally touch it.

A distinctive feature of many children's models of orthopedic chairs is the absence of armrests. This component is appropriate for adults, but in children's varieties it is harmful, since the position of the hands on the armrests leads to a rise in the shoulder girdle and a skewed back.

All existing models are of two types: classic and ergonomic.

The first includes the usual varieties (office plan models with an anatomical backrest located close to the child's back and a soft seat). They can be hinged or without wheels, differ in the type of upholstery material. Orthopedic pillows of various shapes are often added to achieve the best results. The classic has less orthopedic effect.

Outwardly, they are much simpler than ergonomic chairs, but the functionality is almost the same: hinges, footrests, cushions, seat back height adjustment. The backrest is adjustable in tilt angle.The number of leg supports varies from one to two, they can be classic rectangular or circular, necessary to improve blood circulation in the lower extremities.

An interesting variation is the model with a double back, which consists of two halves, divided in the center of the frame rod. Each half is curved symmetrically, following the curves of the child's back.

Ergonomic plan models are of three types:

• knee- - construction with or without a backrest with support on the knees (the position of the child is perpendicular to the floor, while he rests his knees on a special pillow, and the feet are laid back and are located on the sides of the chair);
• saddle - a model with different functionality, the difference of which is the shape of the seat, which resembles a saddle: it is raised in front and lowered on the sides (the position of the child does not differ from sitting on a classic chair);
• balancing - a rocking structure or a movable rocking chair, on one side of which there is a small seat, on the other - two knee pillows (the variety does not have a back, the correct position of the back is ensured by the child's need to constantly balance and train the vestibular apparatus).

Children's orthopedic chair is a modern approach to taking care of the child's health and posture. Different raw materials are used in the production of models for schoolchildren. The most relevant materials are metal, wood and plastic. In addition to them, modern types of fillers with an orthopedic effect (for example, polyurethane foam), high elasticity and resistance to creasing are used.

Materials are divided into hull and finishing materials. The base consists of metal (mainly steel) or wood. Wooden components are useful as guides, body, base and stands. The disadvantage is less comfort: often these designs do not have soft footrests in the form of soft pillows.

It hides the chair frame at the base and at the point of connection with the fulcrum. It cannot be called particularly durable, since in some cases, with significant mechanical stress, it can partially break off from the main parts.

Textile or leather is used for upholstery. For children, natural ingredients or high-quality synthetics are more often used. Natural leather is a practical raw material. Such products are more expensive, however, easier to maintain and look more presentable. If the purchase is planned for several years, this is the most profitable option: the surface is scratch-resistant, any dirt can be removed from it.

Color solutions of orthopedic chair models for schoolchildren adhere to soft monochromatic shades. In the lines you can find products for girls and boys, which are presented in the corresponding shades of the color palette. In addition to pink and blue, the priority is blue, green, orange, sand and brown. Some items are available with black upholstery.

It is worth noting a characteristic feature: a highchair for an elementary school student is more cheerful and performed in light shades, a product for a middle and high school student looks like an improved office version in dark colors.

The modern market for orthopedic products is represented by many brands.

The most interesting and functional models are offered by the companies:

• Duorest - patented new technology products for schoolchildren with a double movable back, providing reliable fixation of the back without squeezing the spinal discs, meeting international standards and safety requirements (expensive orthopedic chairs that are popular in Australia, Japan and the USA);

• Mealux - products of the Taiwanese brand, equipped with all types of adjustment of products in height and angle of inclination, having high quality and performance characteristics (products for children of different ages, from first graders to graduates);
• Moll - orthopedic constructions of a German manufacturer for children of middle and high school, distinguished by their ergonomic shape, simplicity of the adjustment mechanism and reliability, designed for different body sizes and weights of children from 100 kg (stylish models in pleasant colors).

The choice of an orthopedic chair for a student cannot be based solely on external indicators. Such a product is bought on the recommendation of an orthopedic surgeon, taking into account medical indicators. You should not treat furniture as a pill: it does not cure the disease, but corrects the position of the back, therefore, the effect is visible. However, if you do nothing besides the chair, its benefits will be minimized. This is not magic furniture: in addition to sitting, you need to move a lot and do special exercises.

Having weighed all the pros and cons, it is worth considering:

• the model matters - it should be with a back, preferably rigid and non-slip at every touch of the child;
• safety is a key factor: the chair should be made from environmentally friendly raw materials without the addition of harmful components of dyes (the indicator is the absence of a pungent odor);

• the reliability and durability of the product is ensured by a strong frame: steel or aluminum is a priority;
• it is worth considering the number of support points: ideally, there should be at least five of them, and it is better if they are equipped with a rotation and movement lock, as well as a wheel lock function;
• it is important to think about practicality: the upholstery of the chair should be easy to clean, capable of wiping with a damp cloth, resistant to accidental mechanical damage (in priority, genuine leather or dense textiles with an additional replaceable cover);

• the adjustment system should be simple so that, if necessary, you can make adjustments to the physiological characteristics of your child with your own hands;
• the convenience of the model is checked by the "fitting" method: it must be carried out in the store, adjusting the device for the child (if the student is uncomfortable, this will save him from unnecessary waste and will allow him to make the right choice in the direction of another model);
• the right type of seating - a slightly curved surface with a slightly sloped and optimally soft front edge, 50 cm deep.

Five rules of the best model:

• the child's legs should not slide under the chair (a footrest is needed);
• age must be indicated on the label;
• looseness of the structure is excluded: it will have to be tightened up constantly;
• the angle between the lower leg and the thigh must be right (it cannot be adjusted independently);
• the product is purchased with the child, taking into account his wishes.

Before buying, it is important to study the features of a particular model you like. This will reveal its strengths and weaknesses and understand the degree of suitability for children of different ages (first graders, adolescents) and health (cerebral palsy, posture disorders, scoliosis).

It is preferable to buy a height-adjustable school chair with a footrest. In order not to lament the quality of the product, it is important to scroll through the reviews of real buyers about the selected product. The model should be as comfortable and useful as possible.

In this video, you will find a comparative review of orthopedic chairs for students.