Ergonomic Office Chairs for Comfort & Back Pain

An ergonomic chair is designed to support the human body in a neutral sitting position. It is one of the most important pieces of equipment for the office workstation. A well positioned ergonomic chair can relieve aches and pain, and reduce the risk of future occupational injury or illness such as chronic back pain from prolonged work hours.

When selecting an ergonomic office chair, you'll want to consider numerous features and factors. Given that we spend up to 8 hours a day seated in our office chairs, it's crucial to acknowledge that without proper ergonomic support, your chair may be the root cause of discomfort and pain. Consequently, investing in a high-quality ergonomic office chair is of paramount importance. Here are the fundamental features to seek in a good ergonomic office chair:

1. Adjustable Backrest Height: This allows you to position the lumbar support at the optimal spot for your spine's well-being.

2. Adjustable Seat Height: The ability to adjust the seat height ensures that your chair aligns correctly with your desk and keeps your feet in a comfortable position.

3. Adjustable Backrest Angle: A feature that enables you to set the backrest angle to suit the curvature of your spine.

Additionally, a quality ergonomic office chair should feature a 5-point base with castors for mobility and provide some form of lumbar support. For those with a flexible budget, there are advanced ergonomic adjustments available for further customization:

4. Adjustable Seat Pan Depth: This allows you to fine-tune the seat pan depth to match your seated posture.

5. Adjustable Seat Pan Angle: You can customize the seat pan angle to align with your preferred sitting posture.

6. Adjustable Lumbar Support: The option to modify the amount of lumbar support ensures tailored comfort.

7. Adjustable Seat Tilt Tension: This feature permits you to control how far the chair tilts back when you lean, allowing for personalized reclining comfort.

In essence, when choosing your ergonomic office chair, these features cater to your individual comfort and well-being during prolonged periods of sitting, ultimately promoting a healthier and more productive work experience.

Ensure that you maintain good posture while seated in your chair. When you initially sit down, it's crucial to make the necessary adjustments to properly tailor the chair to your body. Here are the key adjustments to consider:

Seat Height:
Begin by adjusting the seat height – it should be your first priority at any workstation. Set the chair's height so that your wrists are at the same level as, or slightly below, your elbows. Your hips should form right angles (90-100 degrees) when you're seated. Now that your seat is at the correct height, check if your feet touch the floor. If they don't, you'll need a footrest to bridge the gap between your feet and the floor.

This seating position is designed to keep your neck and shoulders in a relaxed state. Sitting too low at your desk might cause you to "shrug" your shoulders as you strain to reach it.

Backrest Angle:
A general guideline is to set the backrest angle between 90 and 100 degrees to encourage an upright sitting posture.

Backrest Height:
Ergonomic office chairs often feature lumbar support in the lower part of the backrest, contoured to support your lower back and spine. Incorrect positioning of the backrest, either too high or too low, can make the lumbar support feel uncomfortable, as if it's digging into your hips or mid-back. To check if the backrest is too high, try sliding your hand behind your back while seated. If your hand can fit, you may have positioned the lumbar support too high. Various chairs on the market offer different backrest heights.

Ideally, a good ergonomic chair should have a backrest that extends up to the height beneath your shoulder blades, often referred to as a 'high backrest chair.' If your budget allows, investing in a high backrest chair is advisable.

However, if you are of shorter stature, a regular backrest height may already offer support up to your shoulder blades. Taller individuals will generally require a high backrest due to their longer torso length. When you sit in your chair, ensure that your entire back rests against the backrest, and your backside sits snugly in the chair. While some may prefer sitting on the edge of their chair, this posture provides no back support and places greater strain on your back muscles due to continuous activation.

Finally, make sure that the wheels on your chair move smoothly and freely over the floor when you need to move away from your desk.

Some ergonomic chairs have been independently audited for quality to ensure they meet Australian standards for the office environment. Choosing an AFRDI rated ergonomic chair means you are investing in the highest quality chairs in Australia – they are durable, adjustable, sustainable and usually comes with a large warranty period. To find out more about AFRDI rated chairs, and to see our collection, visit our blog post here: Ergonomic Chairs: What is AFRDI?