about
I originally trained as a dancer with the Royal Ballet, then became a physiotherapist gaining a First Class Honours Degree from Kings College London.
My dance training combined with my anatomical knowledge has given me a unique understanding of movement and biomechanics which has informed my career.
Over 20 years I treated numerous patients with back and neck pain primarily caused by poor sitting posture – an issue that negatively impacts quality of life.
Despite researching the market, I was unable to find any one chair that could solve the problem of slump sitting at work.
Solving this problem became my mission.
"We become the position we are most often in"
Caroline, Founder
concept
The concept is simple: you can achieve the best sitting posture by identifying one key bone in the spine (the keystone vertebra) and supporting it. The level of this vertebra differs between individuals, and also with the height of the seat.
Despite the multitude of existing chair types offered in the market today, persistent back and neck pain at work continues to be a significant problem. The reason? A misconception in chair design that lumbar support alone ensures optimal sitting posture. This misses the keystone vertebra: the spine is unbalanced and the body collapses down with gravity.
The ephgrave chair offers the solution. Using a single moveable cushion that can be positioned at the keystone for each individual, the spine is supported and the body is balanced. Pain is alleviated and stiffness is gradually reversed, freeing the body to move with greater efficiency.
"Pure genius - the end of backache"
Nigel
how?
The spine is a chain of bones that transmits the weight of the head and ribcage to the pelvis. It changes shape according to their counterbalancing movement in different positions.
Posture is determined by the alignment of these body parts in relation to each other. The more aligned, the better the posture and the lower the load to the joints and muscles.
In standing, the pelvis tilts forwards and the upper body shifts backwards. The spine forms an S-shape around the line of gravity with the head balanced on top.
In unsupported sitting, the pelvis tips backwards and the upper body shifts forwards. The spine drops into a C-shape around the line of gravity with the head falling forward above.
how?
Chairs control the collapse of the spine that occurs in sitting.
The back support of the chair pushes the spine forwards to reposition the upper body over the seat.
If the chair supports the balance point (keystone) of the mobile part of the spine correctly, the ribcage and head will reposition over the pelvis: good posture.
Using a single moveable cushion to support the keystone of the each user in sitting, the body is held in line with gravity, reducing joint and muscle strain.
The elegant and minimalist design can be customised to each user, improving comfort, flexibility and function.
"The longer I use the chair the more benefits I am seeing. My posture has improved and I no longer get the episodic back pain I was experiencing"
Mary Murphy, Consultant Neurosurgeon
the difference
conventional chairs
Using lumbar support alone misses the keystone . The mobile spine collapses above the support unbalancing the body and compressing the lower back and neck.
The muscles have to work hard to hold the unbalanced body upright against gravity. Over time they get tight and fatigued, causing stiffness and pain.
the ephgrave chair
The moveable back cushion can be positioned to fully support the keystone of each user, lifting it up and forwards to rebalance the body and reduce strain on joints and muscles. Good posture and flexibility are maintained.
The chair does the work for you so your body can relax.
the keystone
The keystone is the vertebra that bears the weight of the upper body and controls the shape of the spine.
When this bone is positioned correctly, it pulls the joints above and below into alignment and centralises body weight.
The level of the keystone differs between individuals and also with the height of the seat.
The ephgrave chair allows for this variation, and can be customised to each user.
"I could immediately feel the benefit to my posture as soon as I sat in it"
Leyla
design
the back cushion
Made of moulded foam, it has been designed to support the keystone of your spine and can be moved up or down according to your specific dimensions and needs.
the seat
The seat is height-adjustable and shaped to pro extra comfort. It is shorter in depth so it can be pulle close enough to the desk to facilitate use of the b support. There are no arm rests as these usually into the desk and block the swivel action of the chair
the chair shape
The chair back is minimal to allow freedom movement of the upper back and arms.
With the lower back supported, the stiffer middle b can arch and/or rotate around the shaped cushio your spine can move while you are sitting.
specification
Seat Width – 465mm
Seat Depth – 425mm
Effective depth of seat measured from front
Seat Height Min – 430mm
Seat Height Max – 580mm
Seat Height Range – 150mm
Height of chair from floor is 1070mm
Made of 80% recycled materials
100% recyclable
"Having suffered back pain for years previously, sitting in this chair now corrects my posture and prevents my old bad habits."
Sophie
pricing and fabric bands
Band 0
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
4
£604.00
£616.00
£633.00
£648.00 Band
£662.00
CAMIRA CITADEL ERA
GRAVITY
INLOOM
BONDAI DOMESTIC ONE
CAMIRA ASPECT
MAIN LINE FLAX
MAIN LINE PLUS MANILLA PATINA QUEST
CAMIRA 24/7+ 24/7 FLAX
AQUARIUS
BLAZER
HALCYON HEMP
CAMIRA
CRAGGON FLAX
DECA
REGENT
YOREDALE
HI-TECH
INTERVENE PLAIN
INTERVENE TEXTURE
KYOTO
MAIN LINE TWIST
OCEANIC
SILK
SUMI
SYNERGY TRACK
INLOOM JET
JET BIO KING FLEX RIVA
ROCCIA
REPLAY AGUA
LAVORO
CHIEFTAIN
LIONELLA
JUST COLOUR
PASHA
ABBOTSFORD
CLASSIC PLAIN
CLASSIC HERRINGBONE
JEANS
MILANO
INLOOM
CORTE
SPAZIO
CHIEFTAIN
CAROUSEL
RAVEL
CHIEFTAIN
EARTHLY
ABBOTSFORD
CLASSIC MELTON
FEAST
ABBOTSFORD
CABLE
BAND 0 £604 00 BAND 1 £616 00 BAND 2 £633 00 BAND 3 £648 00 BAND 4 £662 00
PHOENIX RIVET TARGET INLOOM ALBA BONDAI AGUA CHEA
CAMIRA ADVANTAGE CANOPY CHATEAU MANHATTAN SPRINT URBAN VITA X2 XTREME
AGUA BURO INLOOM
fabric examples
More colours and fabrics available
More colours and fabrics available
More colours and fabrics available
Camira Inloom Agua Era Date CSE24 Alba 7011 Chea Jade One 3008 Lavoro Denim Jet 3036 Buro Thistle Jeans 9488 Spazio 4021 Canopy Mushroom CPP35 Patina Dusted PAT13 Hemp Fallow HWP28 Yoredale Dacre UDA21
fabric examples
Cheiftain
More colours and fabrics available
Just Colour Grape
Carousel Twinkle Earthly Buttermilk
Abbotsford
More colours and fabrics available
Classic Plain Forest Classic Melton Wasabi Cable Olive
1 2 1 2
Camira
Main Line Flax
Upminster
MLF20
Camira
Craggen Flax Esker
CRA21
Frem Group Concept House Upton Valley Way East Pineham Business Park Northampton NN4 9EF +44 (0) 1604 756 567 info@fremgroup.co.uk FREM.CO.UK London Showroom 84 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5RF