Just like it is essential to find the right mattress or pillow, the most supportive office chair is needed to prevent poor posture that can cause back pain, discomfort, and muscular fatigue.
The human spine is made of vertebrae, and between those are discs that help cushion the bones of the spine. Those discs don’t respond well to long sitting hours.
A key feature of a great office chair is an adjustable height capability or finding a chair that is just the right height for you. However, the ultimate goal is to find an office chair that supports a healthy posture.
It is also advisable to get a standing desk to avoid sitting for long hours, which, according to research, can compromise your metabolic health and lead to a high risk of premature mortality.
4 Best Office Chairs For Lower Back Pain
1. Kneeling Chair
One of the best chairs recommended by Doctor Adam Story, especially for studying, is the kneeling chair. A study supports using a kneeling chair because it improves the curvature of the lower spine.
When sitting in this chair, you have the best posture because the knees are lower than the hips, which positions the hips forward and creates a proper spinal curvature.
This is an excellent posture for preventing back pain. When working, it is easy to slouch, leading to neck pain, muscle strain, and ligament pain. However, slouching is essentially eliminated with this chair.
According to research, lower back pain can affect your everyday life, so it is beneficial to find a good supportive chair. Furthermore, when seated in a kneeling chair, the standing posture is greatly achieved, unlike in a traditional chair.
2. Swiss Ball/Yoga Ball
According to Dr. Luo, a Swiss ball or yoga ball can be a great option to help maintain posture, and is recommended to use a base for additional stability.
It keeps you in great posture because it forces you to straighten your back and maintain an upright posture. Sitting on it for several hours might not be practical, but this is true for many chairs; taking a break from sitting on any chair is advisable.
3. Saddle Stool
A study by Cardiff University points out that saddle chairs with a raised middle mimic a saddle on a horse and are very beneficial in preventing back pain. It will take a little time to get used to sitting in one.
Saddle chairs reduce spinal pressure because they help with better spinal postures and reduce spinal injury. Medical professionals who sit for long hours use this chair for good posture. Scientific research supports that saddle seats reduce the risk of injury compared to other non-ergonomic chairs.
4. Ergonomic Adjustable Chairs
There are different types of ergonomic chairs you can choose from, and a few tips to help you select a great ergonomic chair is to make sure that it is adjustable for height, width, seat depth, headrest, and armrest. Gaming chairs are often great examples that offer these features.
It should support a natural spine alignment. In addition, the chair should fit your height and width. Be sure when purchasing an office chair you look for the specific "ergonomic" term in the description.
A guide here offers specific details regarding inches and width to consider when purchasing an ergonomic chair.
Conclusion
It is important to note that your back isn’t like everyone else’s, so when choosing an office chair, consider how much you can customize it to meet your specific needs. It is best to find adjustable chairs that can accommodate your specific body type and needs.
On the other hand, you can limit your time in a single position at your workplace and take regular breaks from sitting, which may also help reduce lower back pain.
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