Phoebe Chongchua's Live Fit Magazine

Imagine a decade ago walking into an elementary school classroom and seeing no chairs for fifth graders to sit on and instead large balls behind each desk. Are these students learning in this classroom or literally having a ball, you might wonder. What if they were doing a combination: learning, having a ball, and sitting on a ball?

The ever-popular exercise/fitness ball has rolled into some classrooms and has some people bouncing with joy while others find the concept deflating. Proponents of the circular seating say the balls keep kids focused, encourage more upright posture, less squirming around, and actually keep students in their seats (on their balls) more than with traditional chairs.       

However, some argue that the balls are not meant to be used as chairs and actually an extended period of time on the ball can encourage bad posture. Also, the lack of adjustability and stability in the ball is why some find it an unsuccessful fit for a desk mate. But the staff at one school using the balls says that the traditional furniture their students used fit only about 10 percent of the students-leaving the majority sitting in furniture that was not properly sized for them. The balls schools are using come in different sizes and can be inflated to various degrees to best suit the student.

Ultimately, in short spurts, sitting atop a ball can help to strengthen abdominal muscles and can be beneficial if the person sitting on the ball can maintain a neutral spine while balancing on the ball. However, frequently people tire quickly and then begin to slouch. If you're going to use the ball, it's typically recommended that it be used in short spurts and alternated with an ergonomic chair.        

From personal experience here is what I have discovered works for me. Because I spend numerous hours writing and researching at a computer, my work area includes an ergonomic chair and workstation, a ball chair (exercise ball in a metal frame), a tilted footrest to alleviate pressure in the legs while sitting, an eye-level large computer screen, and an exercise mat so that I remind myself to step away from the computer giving my eyes, mind, and body a break from it. I use the mat to perform several gentle exercises which I learned from my Pilates instructor.

The difference all of this has made is tremendous. I went from having severe back pain to no pain. However, if I don't maintain consistency with my routines, then the aches return. I have learned to be gentle and not push "into pain" as Hall says. Instead, I honor my back and body and allow brief breaks in a day. It seems that the best advice is to treat your body the way it was designed-to move frequently and not get stuck in any one posture.

So, whether you're balancing on a ball or planted in an ergonomic chair-adding a few more breaks to stretch, pull away from the desk, and get up and move about can make all the difference in a healthy spine or an achy back.