Posted on 3rd Sep 2011 @ 6:12 PM

In the American workplace, it is common to use certain terms interchangeably, even though they may not mean exactly the same thing. Like laptop and notebook computers (notebooks are smaller). Or cubes and workstations (cubes have walls). Or cost-cutting and layoffs (that one is pretty obvious).

Another example of this "misplaced interchangeability" involves what employees sit on while working in at their desks. A "back chair" and an "ergonomic chair" do not technically have the same meaning -- even though a back chair can sometimes be ergonomic and an ergonomic chair might help a person's back.

Clear as mud, right?

Maybe some of these examples will help.

Here is an ergonomic chair that would not be considered a "back chair."

The idea behind this chair is to promote good posture by resting most of the body's weight on the knee support pad and leaning the torso slightly forward. Of course, maintaining proper body posture can have positive benefits for a person's back (as well as for his or her neck, shoulders, and arms). But this is not generally known as a "back chair" because it does not provide specific support for the user's back.

Now, let's check out a "back chair" that isn't fully ergonomic.

It's quite obvious by this chair's design that it is intended to support and pamper the back. However, it's equally apparent that it is not the optimal chair for the workplace -- which makes it non-ergonomic in an office setting.

Here's a back chair that could be suitable for the office.

As you can see, this one would fit at a desk or table. Plus, it has an adjustor arm which can raise or lower the height of the chair, and it also comes with a flexible back to provide some support for a person's torso. However, this back chair is lacking many other features which would make it more user-friendly -- such as arm support, a headrest, and a fully adjustable seat. Those are some of the qualities that aren't always seen in back chairs but are found in many ergonomic chairs -- like this one, for instance.

So which type of chair should you use?

The answer depends on what physical issues you are trying to address. If you are experiencing pain, soreness, or tightness in your back, then a back chair might be adequate to solve your problems. But if you are concerned about neck discomfort, repetitive stress injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome), or numbness in your legs, then your needs may be better served by an ergonomic chair.

Usually, there's no real harm in interchanging "back chair" with "ergonomic chair" in general conversation. But if you are looking to spend your money on (or ask your employer to buy) a chair that is intended to provide you with more comfort and support, you should really do your homework to determine which type of chair is right for you.