Making Positive Business Choices

Sitting at a desk for several hours each day can be taxing for anyone, but when you have chronic pain, your problems are magnified. Selecting the right office chair for your body can help you make it through the workday with less pain.

Try Before You Buy

The best way to buy any office chair is to go into the store and try out different models. Sometimes, it is difficult to know what is most comfortable or which features you need without testing chairs. Of course, buying online may be the only option, or you may find more variety in chairs online. At a minimum, take measurements using other chairs at home or in your current office. This will help you select the chair that will most likely fit your body. For example, you will need to take measurements to ensure the chair you purchase is an appropriate height. Another measurement that is important is seat depth. If a seat is not deep enough, taller people will often feel unsupported in their chair.

Choose Good Back Support

Having better posture while you are sitting can improve pain or at least avoid exacerbating the problem. Many people with chronic pain may slouch or rely too much on the chair's back. Choosing office chairs with a mid to high back is a better option. A mid-back chair is typically the best option because it will provide adequate back support, but not so much that you can exclusively rely on the chair for support.

Of course, chairs labeled as mid-back or high-back will be relative to your height. If you are taller, you may need a high-back chair for an appropriate amount of support. Try to avoid a chair with a back that is high enough to support your neck and head, or those that come with a headrest. The chair you choose should also be adjustable so you can adjust the angle between the seat and back. Although sitting completely upright may be ergonomic, but it is not always practical for people with chronic pain.

Include Armrests

Chairs with or without armrests are often a personal preference, but armrests can be useful if you have chronic pain. Overall, a chair with armrests can feel more supportive. Since you are more limited in the way you can sit, the armrests can also work as a reminder to sit in a more neutral position. If you experience pain in your arms or if you need to be mindful about keeping your wrists in a neutral position, it may be easier when you have armrests. Just like the back of your chair, the armrests should be adjustable so your forearms can rest comfortably on them.

The right office chairs for people with chronic pain will be those that are both comfortable and supportive. Trying different models with your unique height and size in mind will make it easier to choose among infinite options.