Many of us spend more than the recommended hours sitting on chairs. And that is why many of us suffer from back pain, especially lower back pain. According to a study conducted by the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, on average, a normal American office worker spends 64 hours a week sitting on a chair.
And because of that, one-half of the Americans experience back pain symptoms each year. Also, back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss their work.
Therefore, it is essential to sit on a comfortable and supportive office chair to avoid or relieve back pain.
So, if you are looking for an ergonomic and supportive office chair for personal use or your office staff, here, we have reviewed the seven best office chairs for back pain.
Top 7 Best Office Chair for Back Pain
1. Staples Hyken Technical Mesh Task Chair – For Upper Back Pain
Warranty: This ergonomically designed office chair is ideal for treating upper back pain along with lumbar pain. It comes with a 7-year limited warranty that makes it one of the best chairs for office use.
Weight Capacity: The chair can bear around 250 pounds of weight up to 5 to 10 hours every day.
Upholstery: It has a black mesh covering on the back and seat areas. This mesh upholstery makes the chair breathable. No matter how long you use the chair, it will remain free from sweat and odor.
Headrest: There is a built-in headrest that you can adjust in any angle and height according to your choice. This headrest helps you to get rid of your upper back pain that is the cervical area. It keeps the cervical vertebrae aligned so that it can never hurt.
Height Adjustment: You can also adjust the height of the chair according to your height. The seat height ranges from 16.9 inches to 20.7 inches from floor to seat. Also, its back height is adjustable along with the armrests.
Tilt Customization: There is a tilt tension lever so that you can adjust your tilt position while sitting on the chair with ease. The tilt lock limits the chair from leaning back too far.
Rolling Casters: Five smooth-rolling casters make the movement of the chair easy on any surface.
My Opinion:
Pros: One of the best chairs that support your upper back and lumbar area. Its breathable mesh covering is the most appealing feature along with its 7-year warranty. It is also easy to assemble, has a built-in headrest and comes with adjustable height and tilt options.
Cons: Its armrests are hard.
2. Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Office Chair – For Short Person with Back Pain
Warranty: This Aeron chair from Herman Miller is the pinnacle of comfortable and ergonomic sitting. Its warranty period is higher than the Staples Hyken Technical Mesh Task Chair. It comes with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Size and Weight Capacity: The chair comes with three different sizes and weight capacities. This is the “A” size chair that is perfect for short individuals with the height measured between 4’10” and 5’9”. Also, it can bear weight between 90 and 150 pounds.
Upholstery: The seat and backrest of the chair are covered with high tech fabric and mesh featuring Aeron’s breathable 8Z Pellicle suspension material. This suspension material delivers greater ergonomic support and comfort as it hugs your body with eight latitudinal zones of varying tension.
Tilt Customization: There is a tilt limiter with seat angle adjustment that allows you to tilt the chair both in the forward and backward directions. The tile limiter allows you to select any of the three postures: Upright, Mid-recline, and Full-recline. And, the seat angle adjustment alters the seat angle from 0-degree to 5-degree forward tilt.
Padded Backrest: There are also two pads available on the backrest of the chair. The top pad is responsible for supporting your lumbar, and the bottom one is to stabilize your sacrum. You can also adjust these pads according to the curve of your spine.
Armrests: The armrests are also padded and adjustable. You can adjust their height, slide them forward or backward, and move them inward or outward.
Rolling Casters: Five caster wheels make the movement easier.
My Opinion:
Pros: This office chair is ideal for short people suffering from back pain. Its mesh covering with eight different tension zones, adjustable backrest pads and armrests, and the forward tilt ability are the most attractive features.
Cons: It is an expensive chair.
3. Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair – For Lower Back Pain
Warranty: If you are looking for an office chair suitable for lower back pain, then this Ergohuman high back swivel chair is the best option. It comes with a lifetime warranty that is a big plus.
Weight Capacity: Its weight-bearing capacity is quite excellent. It can bear up to 350 pounds of weight.
Upholstery: The black mesh covering the seat and backrest make the chair breathable. You can sit for long hours without any discomfort.
Tilt Customization: A tilt lock is there that allows you to adjust the back angle in three different positions. Select a particular recline position according to your needs or control the amount of force to recline with the help of tension control adjustment. Also, you can adjust the seat depth.
Height Adjustment: The height of the chair is easy to adjust with the help of a pneumatic cylinder. Its headrest is also adjustable so that individuals can adjust it according to the height.
Backrest: The backrest is featured with a contoured, height-adjustable lumbar support. Adjust its height according to the position of your lumbar vertebrae to get relieved. Also, the height of its armrests is adjustable.
Rolling Casters: Smooth-rolling caster wheels make it easy to move the chair from one place to another.
My Opinion:
Pros: This chair is ideal for treating lower back pain as it offers contoured and adjustable lumbar support. Its breathable mesh upholstery, tilt customization feature, and 350 pounds weight capacity are the best features.
Cons: It is not designed for short people.
4. Steelcase Amia Task Chair – For Short Person with Back Pain
Weight Capacity: This Steelcase Amia Task Chair is also ideal for short persons with back pain. It is a durable and sturdy office chair that can withstand up to 300 pounds of weight.
Warranty: If we focus on its warranty, then the chair comes with a 10-year Steelcase warranty.
Armrests: The chair features the most supportive arms that support users in any posture. They are highly adjustable as they can move back and forth, side to side, up and down, and pivot.
Backrest: Its backrest is featured with a LiveLumbar mechanism that is the advanced technology created to provide hour after hour and day after day comfort. The adjustable LiveLumbar zone bends according to your movement providing ergonomic support every time to your lower back area.
Seat: Its seat changes its shape according to the shape of your body. The depth of the seat is adjustable from 15.5” to 18.5”. Also, the flexible seat edge eases pressure on the back of the legs of the short height users when they recline or bend forward.
Upholstery: The seat and backrest of the chair are covered with 100% polyester fabric. But its frame is made up of durable and sturdy plastic.
My Opinion:
Pros: LiveLumbar technology is the most appealing feature of the chair. Other than this, its 10-year warranty, 4-way adjustable armrests, and 300 pounds weight capacity are the attractive features.
Cons: It is an expensive chair. Also, it is not good for long periods of sitting.
5. La-Z-Boy Delano Big & Tall Executive Bonded Leather Office Chair – For Tall Person with Back Pain
Upholstery: If you are a tall person and looking for a comfortable leather-made office chair that can allow you to work for long hours without experiencing back pain, then go for this La-Z-Boy Delano office chair. It has a bonded leather covering, and its frame is made up of real wood.
Weight Capacity: The chair can hold up to 400 pounds, thanks to its commercial-grade components and big-hearted seat.
Height Adjustment and Tilt Customization: While sitting on the chair, you can customize your position with the help of ergonomic controls. You can adjust the height and tilt the backrest to keep your body aligned during your stay on the chair.
Cushioning System: The chair is featured with an advanced cushioning system that provides exceptional support and comfort. The ComfortCore Plus with memory foam layers are distributed in the seat, back, and armrest areas to provide plush cushioning and firm support.
Headrest: Its padded headrest provides great neck support and keeps the upper back area pain-free. It also minimizes pressure points to offer ultimate comfort.
Warranty: The chair comes with a 10-year limited time warranty.
My Opinion:
Pros: The layers of memory foam and plush pillowing provide the ultimate level of comfort. Its real leather covering, generous seating, and height and tilt customization feature make it ideal for tall and fat people.
Cons: It is a bit heavy. Also, the casters are cheaply made.
6. Topsky Mesh Computer Office Chair – For Lower Back Pain
Warranty: This Topsky computer office chair is designed to treat your lower back pain. It comes with only a 1-year warranty, but it is a durable chair that can last long.
Upholstery: The frame of the chair is covered with high-quality and high-density strength mesh. This breathable material keeps the chair moisture-free.
Weight Capacity: The maximum weight capacity of this chair is 220 pounds, thanks to its thick sponge and high-density strength mesh.
Armrests: The armrests of the chair are padded, and they are adjustable. You can adjust their height according to your needs. All you need is to push the button, and there you go.
Headrest: The adjustable headrest can be adjusted in two ways to keep your neck aligned and correct your posture.
Backrest: The backrest has a lumbar cushion that is also adjustable according to the height of the user. Made up of firm foam and fiber, this lumbar cushion provides relief to the lower back area.
My Opinion:
Pros: It is affordable as well as a comfortable chair for users with lower back pain. Its adjustable lumbar cushion and headrest support keep your lower back stress-free. Also, its high-density mesh covering promotes durability and breathability.
Cons: Its seat depth can’t be adjusted, and the armrests don’t move back.
7. Eurotech Seating Ergohuman Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair– For Thoracic Back Pain
Warranty: This office chair from Eurotech Seating comes with a 5-year limited warranty. It is a comfortable and durable office chair for thoracic back pain.
Upholstery: The breathable and strong mesh covering makes the chair durable and keeps it moisture-free.
Backrest: The chair is featured with a tilt lock that allows you to tilt the back and lock it up on a particular position. Also, there is a firm cushion at the backrest that can also be adjusted to either treat your thoracic pain or lumbar pain.
Height Adjustment: You can also adjust the height of the chair to sit with comfort. Also, the height of the armrests and backrest is adjustable.
Seat Depth: Its seat depth is also adjustable.
My Opinion:
Pros: The chair is comfortable to use and can be used for long hours. It is easy to assemble and comes with lockable adjustment features.
Cons: It is a heavy chair. The armrests are too tall, even after adjustment. Also, the front part of the seat is slightly uncomfortable.
Buying Guide
In this guide, you are going to know about those factors that require your consideration before buying an office chair for back pain.
Type of Chair: First, it is essential to figure out which type of chair you want to buy. The type of chair depends on the area of back pain and your height and weight. If you are suffering from lower back pain, then select an office chair that is specially designed to give comfort to your lumbar area.
Similarly, select a chair for upper back pain if your upper back is not in good health. Also, for thoracic back pain, it is recommended to select a chair that is made to treat mid-back pain. Moreover, for taller people, big and tall chairs are made and for shorter people, short chairs are recommended to buy.
Weight Capacity: Before going to select an office chair, you should also check its weight capacity. If you are a big fat guy, then it is really important to find a chair that can accommodate you without wear and tear.
Upholstery: The covering of the frame of the chair must be made up of durable and fine material. The backrest and the seat areas are always covered, so make sure that the covering is breathable and of excellent quality.
Mesh and polyester fabric are the two most common materials used to cover the seat and backrest of chairs. But the best one is the mesh, as it keeps the users more comfortable because it allows air circulation. However, it is essential to make sure that the chair has high quality and strong mesh to support your body weight.
Lumbar Support: Usually, people suffer from lower back pain due to working long in their offices. Therefore, the lumbar support in a chair is a must. It supports your back and helps maintain the natural curve of your spine.
Height Adjustment and Tilt Customization: Make sure that the office chair you are selecting has height and tilt customization options. The fully customizable chair allows you to move up and down the seat. Also, the height of the backrest, armrest, and headrest can be easily adjusted for comfort. Some chairs also allow four-way movements of the armrests. Up and down, back and forth, side to side, and pivot.
Now come to the backrest tilt customization where the tilt tension lever allows you to tilt the backrest backward at different positions. The tilt lock limits the chair from leaning back too far. You can select any position and lock it up to take rest or to work without experiencing any pain.
Do office chairs really help reducing back pain?
Yes, office chairs specially designed to take care of your back help relieve back pain. They help reduce stress on the back of your body. These ergonomic chairs allow you to customize the height and tilt angle of the backrest to get real comfort. Some chairs are also padded in the back, seat, and arm areas to give firm support and comfort.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of using a mesh chair for back pain?
A mesh chair is breathable, which makes it highly comfortable for those who are used to sit longer in their offices. It not only allows the air to circulate but also stretches to hug your body deeply. However, the mesh may distort over time and that is why some people don’t prefer to buy mesh chairs. But at the same time, manufacturers add a cushion to the seat to make the chair durable and reliable.
Always make sure that the chair you are going to buy has a strong, high-quality mesh.
Is it necessary to focus on the weight capacity of the office chair?
Yes, it is quite necessary to check the weight capacity of the chair so that you get the right one according to your weight and height.
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