Office chairs are the most important furniture for any office not only for the looks of the office but also for the health and efficiency of the staff. Office chair design has come a long way from the simple prototypes of yesteryears.

Today's office chairs promote health, are ergonomically designed, improve your posture and even help you to meditate and relax.

Here are a few types of new office chairs available in the market -

1. Kneeling office chairs - These office chairs have no back support. They incline forward and thus allow the hips to slide forward. This office chair naturally aligns the neck, spine and shoulders.

2. Saddle chairs - Saddle office chairs are so named because sitting on them is like sitting astride on a horse. These chairs can solve lower back problems quite successfully. The height of the office chair is easily adjustable. It works well as a desk or a computer chair.

3. Exercise ball chairs - These chairs are shaped like a ball. You can use them as a desk or computer chair. It is difficult to slouch in such a chair because the user has to sit upright. The exercise-ball office chair encourages movement while sitting because it is a bit bouncy. This movement keeps up the blood circulation and keeps the muscles in constant use.

4. Recliner chairs - Recliner office chairs help the user to work in a reclining position. It is suitable for people suffering from spinal injuries. A small table can be attached to the chair to enable the user to work.

5. Balans Chair - The Balans office chair keeps the user's legs at an angle of 135 degrees to the spine. In this position, while sitting upright, the weight is distributed between the front and the back of the spine and along its length evenly.

You can select an office chair for you depending on your specific requirements. Whatever type of office chair you end up using, experts suggest the following tips to keep your body and back in good condition:

* Take a break every hour. Do not keep sitting through out the day. Stand up and walk around periodically.

* Change your sitting position at different times. Keeping a single position is not naturally good for the body.

* Sit straight without back support for at least some time during the day.

* Even while sitting, try to move around as much as possible - pick up the phone, reach for the file or simply get up and stretch.