Buying an ergonomic chair

Since injuring my back in 2001 I have had a continuous flurry of lower back problems.

Exactly what the local cause and possible treatment is remains a mystery. I have had assessments, physiotherapy and massage treatments and none have sorted the problem out. A problem which, I should add, comes and goes with differing levels of severity. It seems that one week I can do anything and the next I can hardly get up out of a chair – and that leads me on to this post.

I spend a vast amount of time sat at a desk using a PC. Something that is common to many of us. The problem however is that being in a seated position for prolonged periods of time does not help the back or support the natural shape of the spine.

To this end I have been spending a considerable amount of time researching, testing and ultimately buying, an ergonomic chair for this purpose.

Over recent weeks I have tried out everything from the Herman Miller Ergon (at around £900 fully loaded) to some much much cheaper options.

The chair that I have finally decided upon is a brandless locally made chair that is going to cost around £230. The chair looks bland, design-less and it boasts no mesh backrest, no headrest and not external frame.

What it does however have are the following features which I would advise anyone looking for such a chair to seriously consider as “must have” features.

They are: seat height adjustment, seat (forward and backward) slide adjustment, seat angle adjustment, backrest height (ratchet) adjustment, inflatable lumbar support, backrest angle adjustment, armrest height adjustment, armrest angle adjustment.

N.B. These ergonomic chairs are often called “task” chairs in shops, online retailers, and by many chair manufacturers.