Ergonomic Office Chairs and Back Support— Patients Share Advice

I do database development work 8-10 hours a day and many times sit for 3-4 hours at a stretch. In the past I would very often perch up on the front of the chair seat or have my legs folded up under the seat. I began to experience significant lower back pain and the circulation through my legs seemed to be cut off.

I set out to change this by trying various ergonomic chairs but by and large, they all seemed remarkably similar (regardless of price) until I found the Swingseat chair. This has been the only chair that could get me to sit correctly and its mobility has greatly reduced the fatigue of sitting.

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One other very important point I learned along the way. The height of my desktop was way too high and that contributed to much of my problems. I suspect most people have that same problem. I now strongly recommend to people to pay close attention to desk height (and get a good chair like the Swingseat).

From: Harold Southard – California, USA

I sit at the computer all day (also when I worked as a legal secretary) researching and finding help for my neck and back and sometimes I am here for hours without hardly moving except for my hands. You know exactly what I mean, right? This causes hand, wrist, shoulder and back pain that you don’t even realize you have until you stop. I have a herniated C5-6 with nerve compression/back pain but now I religiously use a pop-up ergocise program that has helped me tremendously. What it does is FORCE you to stop do hand, shoulder, back and neck exercises - some of which I have never even thought of. At first it was aggravating because I would be in the middle of something and the computer would freeze for a second and this girl pops up with a different exercise every time that lasts a minute or so. She gives you a written explanation and a demonstration. After a while you get used to it and if you don't minimize and skip it, you will feel so much better after you take a minute to stretch. You can default her to your specific problem and only those will pop up. Go to www.ergocise.com and - after you read all the medical info about our condition - click "download reminder program." Check it out! You'll be glad you did.

From: Silky – Texas, USA

Sitting part of the day on exercise ball is good, and I need to get back to doing that. Another thing I like to do is work standing up. I have a set up so i can sit or stand up in my home office.

If you can't stand and work try to take breaks and go for a quick walk. If you keep forgetting to go for a walk, drink lots of water and you won't have a choice :}

From: Michael - Colorado

I've been sitting on an exercise ball at work now for 3 months. It is the best sitting device I've ever used, but I have to say it does not relieve all my problems. What I tend to do is sit on the ball for half the day and then sit on a normal office chair the rest of the day.

From: MeginDenver – Colorado, USA

I have a herniated L4-L5. My employer had about 8 different ergonomics chairs to borrow and test. The Herman Miller Aeron was by far the best of them. I can adjust it so my spine is "neutral" when I lose focus and slouch. It is so good I may buy one for home. Be aware there are three sizes, A,B, and C.

Also, my father also has a herniated lumbar disc. He says the best for him is an old 1950's green Steelcase chair. This has no adjustments, no arms, and is fixed at 90 degrees between the seat and the back. By today's standards they look like ergonomic horrors, but he said it forces him to sit with better posture and he can sit all day on one.

Hence, you may get relief by spending a lot, or nearly nothing.

From: Jim

I was having a lot of problems with my lower back two years ago. I had a few epidural shots to relieve the pain, which the expert doctors told me would not go away unless I did a radical back operation. The MRI indicated spondylolisthesis and stenosis on L4 and L5. I studied my situation and noticed that my sitting posture was wrong at my executive chair. I a back support made by ObusForme, the back care experts, and used it with my office chair for 18 months and the pain went away -- incredible how the proper back position made a difference!

From: Luiz Cadaval – Tavernier – Florida, USA

I suffered from a herniated disc at L5-S1 several years ago. I have been using the Herman Miller Aeron Chair (a type of office chair) at work and it has been very great. This ergonomic office chair helps me maintain good posture while sitting. It is very comfortable at every tilting angle. Before this office chair, I had tried self inflated back support and kneeling chair. The inflated back support is better than no support at all, but the Aeron is by far much more comfortable than the other types of office chairs I tried. The kneeling chair is only good for short periods because your knees will become sore after several hours. All in all, I highly recommend the Aeron Chair.

From: Paul

I recently purchased 2 Herman Miller Aeron Chairs – one office chair for work and one for home. It’s a great office chair, I think that it was worth it. I've never used any non-traditional office chairs.

From: James Ely – Metuchen, NJ USA

Communicate with others about office chair strategies

*Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

If you have questions about your specific condition or treatment approach, please go through this site to read peer-reviewed health information about spinal conditions, diagnosis and treatment options. The quickest way to locate information on the site is to use the “keyword search” located in the upper left hand corner of each page. Also, if you want to talk online with others who may be in a similar situation, please go to the Message Board.