October 2021
Sitting all day at work with poor posture might be the main contributing factor for your chronic back pain. Choosing the perfect ergonomic office chair might not be a miracle cure for your back pain, but it may be a significant element in your overall back pain management plan.
Ergonomic furniture is designed to reduce the risk of developing back, neck, joint and other musculoskeletal problems. Ergonomic furniture should be both comfortable and easy to use for prolonged periods.
The ideal ergonomic furniture should:
Adjustable seat height – The pneumatic adjustment lever is one of the few basic ergonomic features built into the majority of office chairs. An office chair should offer at least five inches of seat adjustment. The ideal seat height range is between 16 inches and 21 inches off the floor for most sitters.
Seat size – The actual width and depth of office chair seats are a frequently overlooked characteristic. There should ideally be between two to four inches of space between the back of your knees and the edge of an office chair’s seat when your feet are planted flat on the floor.
Backrest – Of all the office chair features, backrests might be the most important. The backrest should encourage and support the natural S-curve of the sitter’s spine. It should particularly support the lumbar spine (low back). Look for office chairs with adjustable backrests.
Armrests – The height of armrests should be variable on ergonomic office chair. Someone sitting in the chair should be able comfortably rest their arms with shoulders relaxed instead of scrunched up around the neck. When the sitter is in the typing position only their elbows and not their forearms should be resting on the armrest.
Seat and backrest material – Although it’s not specifically related to position of the spine, materials are important in that they make chairs more comfortable for prolonged sitting in the proper posture. That’s why office chairs featuring breathable cloth surfaces are preferable to those with hard surfaces.
Rotation – Although this may seem like a given with modern office chairs, easy chair rotation is important. One of the problems with COVID-19 remote work was it caused many people to work at kitchen tables in static chairs that weren’t designed for long hours. An ergonomic office chair should allow the sitter to swivel so they don’t need to contort themselves to reach things they need elsewhere on their desk.
Some of these ergonomic options might not qualify as traditional chairs, but they are all viable sitting options for workers who want to improve their posture at work.
Whether you consider this ball a chair depends on your definition of chair. It’s something you sit on, so in that respect you could call it a chair.
Although balls don’t have back support, they do force the users into active sitting, which means it forces movement and balancing while sitting. The unavoidable bouncing motion keeps the legs moving and promotes muscle use and circulation throughout the day.
The slight but sustained muscle use may reduce stress and fatigue for some individuals. Despite not having a back, the physics of sitting on a ball makes slouching difficult. It is important for sitters to get a properly sized ball so their feet can rest flat on the floor.
There are modified ball chairs with optional backrests and wheels.
Some kneeling chairs have backs and others don’t, but they all have two “seat” like areas – one to sit on and the other to rest the knees on. The position forces the sitter to slide their hips forward which creates a natural alignment of the neck, shoulders and back.
Ergonomic kneeling chairs also distribute the sitter’s weight between the knees and pelvis instead of focusing all the weight on the pelvis. This distribution can reduce the potential risk for damage from spinal compression, which can be a major contributor to sitting-related low back pain.
Saddle chairs force sitters into a semi-standing position similar to the posture of a person on a horse saddle. The legs drop naturally on the sides of the saddle instead of bending at the knees. Saddle chairs are especially popular among office workers with low back pain since it also strengthens back muscles to improve overall lumbar stability and support. People sitting in saddle chairs also maintain better circulation throughout the day since they aren’t able to slouch forward.
The orthopaedic and pain management specialists at Non-Surgical Orthopaedics have experience with all types of back pain. As experts in the musculoskeletal system and posture we’d be happy to provide advice on which types of chairs would be best for alleviating your back pain. If you’re looking for non-invasive solutions to manage your low back pain or neck pain, fill out our online appointment form or give us a call at 770-421-1420.
We all have different shapes and sizes, but one thing binds us together: spending long hours at our desks and dealing with back pain at some point. Among the culprits, prolonged sitting takes a major share. Luckily, getting the right office chair can make a big difference in preventing and easing back pain. Meet five of our favorite lumbar support champions that will treat your back with TLC and provide outstanding support.
💡 Did you know?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss work. It is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
(Source: Mayo Clinic)
The Galene Executive Home Office Chair features a plush, S-curved high back that aligns with the natural contours of the human spine. The U-shaped seat cushion minimizes tailbone pain associated with extended periods of sitting. The chair also offers adjustable seat height for personalized comfort.
BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:
High S-curved backrest
U-shaped seat cushion to prevent compression
Adjustable seat height
The ROYAL - SLIM Executive Leather Office Chair has a curved backrest design crafted for optimal lumbar health. The lumbar support, featuring a forward curve, not only enhances comfort but also effectively reduces fatigue in the lower back. The chair's high-resilience seat cushion ensures sustained comfort, while preventing overheating. Additionally, the Royal Slim chair offers vertical adjustment of up to 3.13", catering to various body sizes and heights.
BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:
Curved backrest design
High-resilience
seat cushion
Vertical height-adjustment
😍 This Chair Is Amazing!
"I've had back pain sitting at my desk for a long time. I never thought my old chair was contributing so much to that pain. It was! This new chair is nothing short of amazing. I am now able to work at my desk WITHOUT PAIN. Yesterday I sat in it for 5 hours straight and had no pain. I'm amazed. This chair is not cheap but it is worth every dollar. I'm so glad I bought it. Believe me, you won't regret the purchase."
- Customer Review by Alfred
The SERENE, Executive Napa Leather Office Chair’s S-shaped backrest design perfectly conforms to the natural curve of the spine, effectively minimizing fatigue in the lower back. The bionic three-dimensional saddle-shaped cushion takes seating comfort to a new level. Crafted from high-density, one-piece molded cotton, it guarantees a soft and comfy seating experience and actively reduces fatigue in the lower back.
BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:
The Typhon, Hybrid Ergonomic Gaming Chair introduces a revolutionary six-axis BioMass Exoskeleton designed to support the spine's natural curvature. This dynamic system adapts to your back, effectively reducing pressure on the spine and facilitating multiple points of release, including head & neck, spinal, hip, back, and leg support. The innovative C-shaped lumbar support design automatically adjusts to your dynamic sitting posture, enhancing comfort and promoting ergonomic well-being.
BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:
😍 I LOVE this chair, I cannot say it enough!
I have a bad back from military service and mild rotary scoliosis in my spine. I've had this chair long enough now to feel the difference from my old chair (which was a SecretLab) and never realized how much of my pain was literally caused by my own chair not being supportive where I needed it. As a content creator, I spend most of my day at my computer. This chair has removed all back pain and discomfort while sitting at my desk. It supports my back in all the right places while also being adjustable to fit a variety of bodies. The discomfort I feel at the end of the day due to my chronic pain has been reduced tremendously to a more tolerable baseline. I'm extremely happy with this purchase, absolutely worth every dollar. I will absolutely be recommending it to everyone I encounter who complains of gamer chair back pain."
- Customer Review by Spvwvky
The Preston, Executive Home Office Chair conforms to your back's curves, ensuring a personalized sitting experience. Its three-stage backrest provides comprehensive support from the lower back to the neck, alleviating fatigue during extended periods of sitting. Its innovative zoned seat cushion elevates seating comfort to sofa-grade levels. Departing from conventional single-cushion designs, this innovation focuses on zoning the seat cushion with the coccyx as the central point. It offers 3.93" height adjustment, catering to different body types.
BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:
Say goodbye to back pain woes with our top picks for the 5 Best Office Chairs designed to provide unparalleled relief and support. In a world where millions of people grapple with low back pain, our curated selection offers a range of styles and functionalities to cater to diverse needs. Whether it's the Galene with its S-curved high back, the SERENE's Bionic Lumbar Pillow, the ROYAL - SLIM's optimal lumbar health design, the Preston's innovative zone seat cushions, or the Typhon's hybrid ergonomic marvel — these chairs are not just about sitting; they're about sitting comfortably and supporting your spine in style. Click through the links to explore your ticket to a more comfortable and pain-free work experience.