With more and more individuals working from home on a permanent basis, finding the best office chair for lower back pain is becoming more crucial. People are beginning to set up new home office and workstation spaces as an increasing number of companies announce that they will need workers to remain remote indefinitely. Add in the number of students who complete assignments at home on a regular basis, and it’s easy to see why creating a remote space that’s back-friendly is so essential.
Here at ChiroCare of Florida, some of the most common complaints we hear from patients include lower back pain, problems relating to poor posture, issues with carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. The reality is that these conditions affect many employees who spend a vast amount of time sitting at desks. Our chiropractic doctors can help alleviate these symptoms, enabling you to live a pain-free life so you can focus on your work, improve your mood, and increase productivity.
If you’re struggling with any of these ailments, or any other condition that affects your muscular-skeletal system, call a ChiroCare of Florida office today. Schedule your next body adjustment and meet with one of our South Florida chiropractors to begin seeing an improvement in your symptoms as soon as possible.
Causes of Lower Back Pain When Working from Home
There are several common causes of lower back pain that employees struggle with when working from home. The good news is that these are all things a chiropractor can help adjust.
Common causes of lower back pain include:
- Muscle and ligament sprains and strains
- Poor posture
- Lack of regular exercise and movement
- And more
The easiest way to obtain back pain relief and address the condition at home include building muscle, increasing flexibility and range of motion, improving your posture, exercising and moving regularly, and properly stretching throughout the day.
It’s no secret that those who work at home often sit in the same place for eight hours or more. This can lead to tight muscles and decreased flexibility. Additionally, the lack of movement and exercise takes a toll on your spine, which leads to the pain you feel in your lower back.
Furthermore, many remote employees lack the proper office ergonomics or setup that creates the most posture-friendly position for working on a computer. Tech neck, a condition that develops when you continuously tilt your head down to look at a screen, slouching in a chair or slumping your shoulders, and more, can all affect how you feel physically after working a long day. When you do this week after week, some serious pain will undoubtedly develop.
However, there are things you can do to start feeling better today, and that involves finding the best office chair for lower back pain.
What to Look for In an Office Chair
Searching the Internet for the best office chair for lower back pain is a great place to start, but you’ll quickly find that search engines are overwhelmed with results. Seemingly every big box retailer, online eCommerce store, and furniture outlet now stocks home office chairs. However, not all chairs are created equal.
Here are qualities to look for to find the best office chair for lower back pain:
- Lumbar adjustment. You should be able to adjust the lumbar support by both height and depth to provide all of the support you need to feel most comfortable.
- Backrest. The best office chairs have a backrest that’s between 12-inches and 19-inches wide. This width gives your back and shoulders enough room to rest on should you lean back in the chair.
- Adjustable seat height. Not all office desks are the same height, and some may have items such as drawers that hit your knees when opened. For this reason, the best office chairs have an adjustable height mechanism. An office chair seat height should range from 16 to 21 inches off the floor, from floor to cushion.
- Seat width and depth. The worst thing is feeling like you’re crammed into a seat or teetering off the edge. This is a sure way to clench and strain your muscles, which eventually leads to pain. Your office chair seat should range from 17 to 20 inches wide. The depth is a little more personalized. We measure from the front to the back of the seat, making sure that there’s enough room to sit with your back fully against the backrest. There should then be 2 to 4 inches remaining between the back of your knees and the front of the seat.
- Adjustable tilt. Many of the best office chairs are designed to lean forward or tilt backward. Everyone likes a little give when they lean back to relax throughout the day or take a phone call. Likewise, you need to be supported when you’re sitting up straight to work at the computer. For these reasons, the tilt of a chair should be adjustable, either manually or automatically, so that you receive continuous support and comfort throughout the workday.
- Seat cushion material. Another crucial element to choosing the best office chair is to consider the seat cushion material. Ideally, you want a seat cushion that’s going to hold up over time and not just feel comfortable today. The problem with many cushion fillings is that they break down and deteriorate with repeated use. This leads to flat cushions that don’t adequately support your body and can be uncomfortable as you feel the hard seating below. Instead, choose a sturdier filler as well as a soft and breathable fabric cover on the seat.
- Adjustable armrests. This may seem a little out there, but not all people have the same arm length. That means that not everyone’s arms rest naturally at the same height. Having armrests that are adjustable enables you to create a seating area that’s truly customized to your needs.
- Swivel. The last thing to look for in the best office chairs is a seat that swivels 360-degrees. When a chair swivels with this complete range of motion, you’re able to reach everything on your desk without twisting and turning into uncomfortable positions that can strain your back and muscles.
Use these tips to find a home office chair that works best for you and to start improving your comfort and experience in the home office today.
The Best Home Office Chairs for You
Our chiropractors have compiled a list of the best office chairs for home use, complete with the best ergonomic setups so that you can start living a pain-free life when working from home. Check them out below.
- The Steelcase Gesture Office Chair. Available in nearly 50 different colors, this chair tops the list of many reviews for the best office chair. Features such as proprietary seat cushions with built-in air pockets that conform to your body, reducing pressure from long-term sitting, and adjustable arms make it a fan favorite. The back of this chair has a contoured shape to help keep your spine aligned in the natural S-shape. Additionally, you’ll enjoy adjustable seat depth and height, recline adjustment and 4-point lock, breathable upholstery, and 360-degree swivel wheels that even work on carpet. Best of all, it comes with a 12-year warranty.
- The Herman Miller Aeron Chair. Also featuring adjustable arms and a highly breathable back and seat, the Aeron Chair by Herman Miller is a close second-choice contender. Choose from six different color schemes to best match your office and enjoy features such as PostureFit SL pads that provide excellent lumbar support and stabilize the base of the spine. This chair is available in three different sizes to accommodate everyone’s unique body type.
- HON Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Adjustable Office Chair. For those who are looking for a more budget-friendly option that still has all the bells and whistles, check out this HON Ignition chair, available on Amazon. Complete with breathable mesh, customizable back recline, height, and seat positioning, ensure your comfort all day long. Additionally, this chair includes features such as adjustable arm height and width, a 360-degree swivel, and a lifetime warranty.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re tired of living in pain that often accompanies sitting at a desk for eight hours a day, contact us to schedule an appointment. With ten locations throughout South Florida, extended evening hours, and weekend appointments available, seeking chiropractic care has never been so easy.
Call (877) 388-2165 today.
