Living with back, neck or hip pain? When this is the case, sitting down to work for a few hours can feel like the least relaxing thing imaginable. Eight hours at a desk can quickly turn into stiffness, aching joints, and that familiar urge to stand up every ten minutes just to get some relief.
This is why you should invest in an ergonomic office chair. Designed to support your body rather than fight against it, a well-designed ergonomic chair can make a genuine difference to how you feel during and after the working day. While no chair is a miracle cure (sorry), the right one can reduce strain, improve posture, and help you stay comfortable for longer.
What makes a chair ergonomic?
‘Ergonomic’ isn’t just a fancy word that office chair manufacturers use to make you buy their product. It’s a way to describe a chair that has been perfectly designed to support your body in the most natural way.
An ergonomic chair is one that can be adjusted to suit the curve of your spine, support your hips and improve your posture. When you’re sitting correctly, you shouldn’t have any of the aches and pains associated with sitting at a desk for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of office chairs on the market that don’t support you in any way, are the complete opposite of ergonomic and are simply there to look the part. When you’re missing the lumbar support or you can’t adjust the seat height and depth, you’ll experience aches and pains that eventually impact your productivity.
How do ergonomic chairs help with back pain?
Back pain is usually (though not always) linked to poor posture. Looking down isn’t a natural position but many of us spend hours a day hunched over a desk, computer screen or phone (guilty).
Slouching, rounding the shoulders, or flattening the lower back can also place extra pressure on the spine and surrounding muscles, so it’s no wonder almost 73% of Brits struggle with back pain on a daily basis.
Ergonomic office chairs can help to reduce back pain that’s caused by poor posture. They support the natural curve of the spine, particularly in the lower back, to promote a more upright sitting position.
Their adjustable lumbar support (and it’s not an ergonomic chair if it doesn’t come with lumbar support) helps to fill the space between you and the backrest, reducing the strain on your back muscles.
The tilt and recline functions also have a large part to play. The recline feature allows you to ever so slightly tilt back in your chair to reduce pressure on the spinal discs and prevent that compressed feeling many of us are familiar with at the end of the day.
How do ergonomic chairs help neck pain?
What many people don’t realise is that neck pain can be caused by a lack of support in the upper body. Everything from our neck and our shoulders to our spine and hips is connected, so when one thing is thrown out, it can affect every other part.
When you lean forward at your desk, raise your shoulders or have to look down at your screen, you’ll probably experience tension and stiffness in your neck.
But this is where an ergonomic chair could help you be rid of that tricky neck pain. It works to support the upper back and shoulders, keeping your head aligned with your spine instead of jutting forwards. Some ergonomic chairs also include headrests, and these can be useful during moments of rest or when reclining in your chair (warning: headrests can sometimes cause mid-work day naps).
Adjustable armrests are particularly important for your neck too. But…aren’t armrests for your arms? Absolutely, however, everything is connected. This means when your arms are at the wrong height, your shoulders can be more tense which then causes pain in the neck.
To get the most out of your ergonomic chair, it’s worth watching or reading a guide on how to properly adjust it to suit you.
How do ergonomic chairs help hip and pelvis pain?
Hip and pelvis pain isn’t as common as neck or back pain, but it’s still a sure sign that your office chair isn’t as ergonomic as you may have first thought.
If you’re sitting on a chair that’s too deep, too shallow or poorly cushioned, your body weight isn’t distributed evenly and this is what leads to pain in your hips. It’s why ergonomic chairs are designed with proper seat cushioning and adjustable seat depth so you can take the pressure off your pelvis while you work.
Many ergonomic chairs also feature a waterfall seat edge — a gentle downward slope at the front of the seat — which reduces pressure on the thighs and hips. Combined with proper seat height, this helps keep the pelvis in a more neutral position, easing strain on the hips and lower back.
How to get the most out of your ergonomic office chair
You could have the best ergonomic chair in the world (did someone say Slouch?) but it won’t do you any good unless it’s properly adjusted for your body.
Start by setting the seat height so your feet rest flat on the floor and your knees sit roughly level with your hips. Adjust the lumbar support so it sits comfortably in the small of your back.
Armrests should support your elbows without lifting your shoulders, and the backrest should allow a slight recline rather than forcing you bolt upright. If your chair has adjustable seat depth, make sure there’s a small gap between the seat edge and the back of your knees.
Finally, remember that movement matters. You should change position regularly, take breaks, and stand up when you can. An ergonomic chair works best as part of a healthy, flexible approach to sitting, and not as a reason to stay glued to your desk all day.
