EK HEALTH

-by Kim Granata-Clark, MS in Human Factors and Ergonomics, Ergonomic Specialist

A footrest is used to provide support for your feet when you are sitting in your chair. You may use a footrest if your feet cannot be flat on the ground because you are short and you need to raise your chair to work on the work surface or keyboard tray, you are having low back discomfort, or it is more comfortable to raise your feet a bit during the day. A footrest will change your hip angle and put your back closer to the chair backrest. The footrest also allows you to change your feet position during the day and your feet/ankles can get some exercise if your footrest rocks. You can use a footrest even if you don’t have a back or hip injury. 

You can choose a standard footrest or an extra wide footrest, rocking or not, both 4” high. If you are standing at a high work surface working on your computer, a 6” non-rocking footrest or step stool would be useful to elevate one foot to take pressure off the feet and back.

Footrests are not all the same and not always needed; you find what works for you.