A stool that makes working from home more comfortable for those with back pain
There are six chairs in my home, which is for a family of three. All of them are shared by my husband and I, except for a stool we bought as a pair 11 years ago. One is a desk chair that I splurged on after I hurt my back, as I do desk work at home. Another is a dining chair for my two-year-old daughter. Another is an outdoor chair for relaxing. And another is the Balance Synergy, which has a reputation for being good for lower back pain.
After giving birth, my muscles got weaker, and with the growing daughter in my arms, my back pain got worse. I went to the chiropractor once a week. I couldn't work unless I sat down, and it was a headache.
That's when I got the Balance Synergy. At first, I was considering the Balance Easy, which I was also attracted to for its appearance. The deciding factor was that the structure that rocks back and forth provides the right amount of stimulation to the core muscles. I'm happy that I can support my core muscles, which have become particularly weak after giving birth, while sitting down! I've come to realise this now that I'm a mother, but it's difficult to take time to take care of your body on a daily basis.
The actual product was more compact than I imagined. It can be easily held with one hand, making cleaning and moving it around smooth. It's perfect for my room, where space is limited.
The next morning after it arrived, I adjusted it as instructed. I put my butt on it to feel the gravity... and it felt like I was hanging from the top of my head by a string. I also do yoga, and even without consciously thinking about my posture, I can feel my lower back stretching. The round seat is comfortable to sit on, and the textiles don't look like they're for office use, so it blends in naturally with the living room. For people like me who use their home and work space, this is a great point. I sat on the computer for about two hours straight, and my lower back didn't feel any pain.
Also, because of my job, I often look at my smartphone, and before I know it, I've hunched my back. When I realize it, I'll correct it, but... is that the same thing?
Half-believing, I stopped work and headed to my daughter's snack time. I usually use a stool, but since I'm here, I'll try the Balance Synergy. I'm concentrating so as not to spill anything, so my feet are flat on the floor. But maybe because the legs of the chair move like a cradle, it's comfortable to lean forward. After dinner, my daughter begs me to hold her and read her a few picture books. She's in a good mood when I rock her back and forth, but that's also comfortable. My husband, who was watching me in amazement, said, "Your back has always been straight."
Raising a child means constantly peering at others. Because you are facing a child who is lower than you. Even in chiropractic, it was said that this is one of the causes of back pain, leading to hunched backs. But it is difficult to improve.
During the day I spent at Balance Synergy, it was actually more difficult to slouch. Because even without thinking about it, I found it easy to put pressure on my navel. In other words, my core muscles were working. That said, I didn't get any muscle pain. I've just started sitting. I'm looking forward to seeing how my body changes.
My husband, who was watching me, also seemed to be sitting at different heights. Because every morning when I sit down, I have to adjust it to my specifications. But even then, I just lower it while sitting. It's not a hassle. Above all, I feel happy that I shared a new secret with my husband during this time.
Yuka Niimi
Originally from Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from university, he joined an editorial production company. After working on free papers about music, travel, and Japanese agriculture, he went independent in 2008. After about 10 years of experience as a freelance editor and writer, he joined a well-known manufacturing company and worked on in-house production. In the winter of 2019, he went independent again. He plans, interviews, and writes about things related to daily life.