The importance of good posture in a wheelchair can’t be overstated.
Good posture can be a tricky thing to develop, especially if you’ve never really thought about it before. It’s even more difficult for those that are new to using a wheelchair, but that doesn’t make it any less crucial.
Poor posture restricts your ability to perform certain tasks from your chair. It puts pressure on your spine, neck, thighs, and buttocks, not to mention the strain that it puts you through while operating the chair.
Different wheelchair types have different effects on posture, but they go hand-in-hand. If you don’t have good posture, your chair won’t be comfortable, and if you don’t have the right kind of wheelchair, it’s hard to improve your posture.
Posture and Wheelchair Types
Before we get into the different types of wheelchairs and how they affect your posture, let’s discuss how to develop good posture. Whether you’ve been in a chair your whole life or you’re getting your first one, good posture is something that has to be taught. It also has a lot to do with the chair.
There are four components of a wheelchair that play a role in your posture: the seat, footrest, backrest, and armrest. Each needs to be tailored to your body for you to achieve good posture.
Your seat is important for weight distribution. Your weight should be spread over a wide area, so the seat needs to be both wide enough and long enough. If not, you could end up in an asymmetrical sitting position or with too much pressure on the buttocks or behind the knees.
The footrest should be at the right angle to support your ankles and knees. It should also be at a height that maintains a comfortable hip position. When it comes to the backrest, you’re strictly looking for stability, so your needs will depend on your disability.
An armrest is there to support your arms, but also your neck muscles. The arm should sit at a 90-degree angle. Any higher and you’ll have stress on the neck/shoulder area—any lower will alter your sitting position.
The Kinds of Wheelchairs That Promote Posture
At Freedom Mobility Center, we have a variety of wheelchairs that achieve all sorts of posture goals. We offer both lightweight manual wheelchairs and power wheelchairs, so you can find a comfortable chair no matter your disability.
Permobil Aero Z
Permobil is one of the brands that prioritizes posture and comfort over almost everything else. The Aero Z has a TiFit mono-tube aluminum frame, which is lightweight, fully adjustable, and one of the most affordable on the market.
Because it comes with Precision Lock technology, you can adjust the chair to suit your posture without the worry of it sliding out of place. It also has an Ergonomic Advantage, which is a bend in the frame that puts you lower in the seat. This gives you pelvic stability and improved posture that few other manual chairs provide.
Golden Compass HD
When it comes to power wheelchairs, Golden Technologies is among the very best in terms of providing stability, functionality, and dependability. The Golden Compass HD is the perfect representation of this.
Its articulating chassis and center-wheel drive provide unparalleled stability over any type of terrain. Stability is essential for maintaining great posture in the chair over long periods of time.
The Golden Compass HD is known for its comfortable, supportive seat. It’s also got adjustable front and rear seat posts for maximum tilt adjustment, as well as flip-up armrests and an adjustable footplate.
Golden Alante Sport
The Alante Sport is great for active lifestyles. It prioritizes stability more than almost any other power wheelchair, with a high-backed captain’s seat and adjustable armrests to help you maintain your posture. You also get 3 seat heights to choose from and a headrest that moves forward and back to optimize neck support.
When choosing a power wheelchair, you have to account for the positioning and comfort of the joystick. The Alante Sport’s joystick sits comfortably in the hand and is easy to use. When you remove your hand, the electromagnetic brakes kick in and you’ll come to a stop.
Get the Best Wheelchair for Your Needs
Your posture should be one of the top things you’re thinking about when looking at different wheelchair types. If you’re at a loss for what features to prioritize, contact us at the Freedom Mobility Center to get a free in-home assessment from one of our experienced professionals. We’ll make sure your chair actively supports your posture and provides you with comfort for the long haul.