10 Best Office Chairs for People with Upper Back Pain

Upper back and neck pain is a common complaint for many, especially for those who spend most of their waking time hunched over a computer screen. If you have upper back and shoulder pain caused by poor posture, then investing in a good ergonomic chair might help manage your pain and relieve tension in your back.

So what’s the best office chair for upper back pain relief? The Humanscale Freedom is the best ergonomic office chair for people who experience upper back pain because it provides the right balance between comfort and support for the upper back. Read on to know more about other ergonomic office chair options that are just as good for you.

Managing Upper Back Pain with the Right Office Chair

Back problems are one of the most common complaints in the country with around 65 million American adults suffering from upper or lower back pain. They’re also the leading cause of work-loss days in the country. 

Jobs that involve heavy lifting and moving around often lead to back pain, but so does sitting on a chair for long periods. Having the right desk chair in the office helps prevent or relieve upper back pain, but the most expensive chair isn’t always the best option. There are lots of factors to consider first before purchasing this kind of office furniture.

How Office Chairs Help Relieve Upper Back Pain

Ergonomic office chairs are designed to support individuals as they sit for extended periods at work. They’re a lot more adjustable than regular office chairs, so users can customize the seat height, headrest, tilt tension, and other features to fit their body or preferences.

With a better-fitting chair for their back, individuals can develop good posture and improve their productivity. Ergonomic chairs also reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries like upper and lower back pain. Here are some of the ways how these chairs can help people with back problems:

• Support proper posture
• Improve hip and pelvis alignment
• Prevent slouching
• Reduce repetitive trunk flexion
• Enhance comfort

What to Look For in an Office or Gaming Chair

There are tons of office and gaming chairs out there claiming to offer the best support for the back, which only makes it difficult to find one that actually works to relieve upper back pain. When shopping for ergonomic chairs to use at home or in the office, here are some of the most important factors to consider:

• Upper back and lumbar support – A good office chair should provide the right support to the upper and lower back to help the user correct their posture. Most chairs offer full back support, so try looking for one that properly supports each part of the back equally.
  
• Ergonomics – Many manufacturers label their products as “ergonomic,” but this isn’t always true. The best chair with an ergonomic design should be able to adapt to the user’s needs, which means it should have an adjustable seat, chair height, recline, tilt, and other adjustment mechanisms.
  
• Comfort – Although the long-term health benefits of an ergonomic office chair should be one of the priorities, individuals should also experience comfort and pain relief when they start using their chair.
  
• Price – Ergonomic office chairs are a good investment, but this doesn’t mean users should purchase the most expensive chair they find. There are still good chairs that provide enough back support without breaking the bank, you just have to look at the right places.
  
• Durability – Office chairs are used for extended periods so they should be durable enough to support your back for a long time. The best chair is only as good as its weakest link, so make sure to inspect the craftsmanship and durability of the chair before purchasing it.
  
• Material – There are lots of options for the material of an office chair like foam, mesh, leather, and polyester. The seat pad and padded armrests should be made of breathable material. A nice back and seat cushion should be soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to provide support.
  
• Adjustability – The chair’s adjustability is one of the best ways to ensure that it’s ergonomic. A good office or gaming chair should have an adjustable height, armrest, seat depth, and headrest.

10 Best Office Chairs for Your Back Pain

After knowing about the best features to look for in an ergonomic office chair, it’s easier for users to narrow down their options and find the most suitable one for them. Here are some of the best office chairs to help people manage their upper back pain:

1) Humanscale Freedom

Having upper back pain makes it difficult for people to work upright because of the mild to severe discomfort they feel, so the Humanscale Freedom is specially designed to help people with upper back pain by providing extra upper body support. It has a contoured backrest to properly cradle the body and a cushioning headrest perfect for people with neck pain.

The best part of this office chair is the hands-free adjustment system that works for anyone over 150 pounds. There’s no need to bend down and manually recline or tilt the settings – the chair moves with the body as the user needs it to. It also comes in many colors to choose from, like Ash, Azure, Glacier, Dark Brown, and more.

2) Autonomous ErgoChair Pro

This chair is also a great option for people suffering from back and neck pain. Its upper back support helps correct the user’s posture while providing enough comfort. It also comes with an adjustable headrest, armrest, and lumbar support to adapt perfectly to the user’s body shape or preference.

The Autonomous ErgoChair Pro has a modern design that fits most home office or workplace aesthetics. Users can also pick between the decent variety of colors that the manufacturer offers. The company also offers a 30-day trial to their buyers, so you can easily return the chair if it’s not to your liking.

3) Steelcase Leap

The Steelcase Leap offers a unique sitting experience with its weightless sensation that helps users manage back pain the moment they sit on it. It features the Steelcase LiveBack technology that provides exceptional comfort. The back support is also designed to flex along with the user’s spine to offer better support and boost regular circulation. 

The Leap’s design also aligns perfectly with the usual keyboard and monitor height found in most offices. It also comes with 4D armrests that provide upper body support as users work at the computer. Users may also order the Steelcase Leap with a headrest for a few additional hundred dollars.

4) Alera Elusion

There are tons of “ergonomic” chairs in the market around the $100 to $150 range, but only a few of them are actually good for the back. Although most of these office chairs have questionable claims, the Alera Elusion is definitely true to its word.

The simple mesh backrest of the Elusion provides enough support for people with back problems since it mimics the natural curve of the spine. It’s also adjustable in the most essential areas, like the recline, tilt, and height. The Elusion also has adjustable lumbar support to help users apply more pressure directly on the pain points.

The Alera Elusion might not have the luxuries of a high-end ergonomic chair, but it definitely provides enough upper back and lower back support to help users experience some relief. Its low price tag gives more than it promises, which makes it the best pick for those on a budget.

5) Serta Air

Serta is a popular brand for mattresses, but the company also explores the office chair market. Through Serta Air, they infuse comfort with support to help users relieve pain during the day as they work.

The Serta Air is one of the company’s most popular office chair models because it features a bonded leather exterior for a classy aesthetic. Beneath the layer of leather are several layers of the patented Serta foam that provides a unique sitting experience. Although it doesn’t come with other premium features like an adjustable armrest, the Serta Air still does a great job of comforting and supporting the upper back as the users get their job done.

6) Branch Ergonomic Chair

The Branch Ergonomic Chair is the perfect option for those who want to improve their posture while working but still have a budget to consider. Although it’s on the more affordable end of the spectrum, this ergonomic office chair doesn’t fall short in providing enough support and comfort for the upper and lower back.

The backrest is made of double-layered mesh to maximize breathability, but the armrest handles and seat underside are made of white polymer. It also comes with a removable lumbar backrest to provide added support. But one of the best features of the Branch Ergonomic Chair is the 7 points of adjustment that users can tinker with according to their needs and preferences.

7) Secretlab TITAN Evo

The Secretlab TITAN Evo is actually a gaming chair, but individuals can also use it in their office to work more comfortably. It features tall backrest towers to provide full back and neck support. It also has 4-way lumbar support that snakes around the chair and flexes with the spine from the sacrum to the mid-back, ensuring proper posture at all times.

But the downside to purchasing the Secretlab TITAN Evo is that it weighs about 75 pounds, making it difficult to assemble for people who already experience moderate to severe back pain. The only option is to find a find to help out in assembling the chair, so users can experience the comfort and back support they need.

8) X4 Executive Leather Chair

The X4 Executive Leather Chair is one of the most comfortable ergonomic office chairs on the market. It’s made of different materials like hard plastic, leather, mesh, and chrome aluminum to give users the solid back support that most premium ergonomic chairs have without sacrificing the comfort you deserve.

The chair is also on the heavier side so users might need help unpacking and assembling it, especially if their upper back pain is already severe. However, the solidity of this chair goes all into the excellent back support and exceptional comfort that feels great for the upper and lower back. It’s also packed with other ergonomic chair must-haves like a headrest, 360-degree armrests, massage features, and heating pads.

9) Eurotech Seating Ergohuman

While most ergonomic chairs offer around 3 to 6 adjustment mechanisms, the Eurotech Seating Ergohuman features up to 10 adjustment points to give users more control over the kind of support they need for their back. This includes adjustment points for height, depth, tilt, recline, and more.

This office chair is also made of mesh upholstery to provide better and more consistent airflow. The metal base also has a 360-degree swivel with nylon casters for smoother movement. The company also offers a 5-year warranty and a 30-day return period for this chair model.

10) Herman Miller Aeron Chair

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is one of the most comfortable office chairs on the market that’s definitely worth its thousand-dollar price tag. The seat cushion is made of breathable mesh that hovers over the chair’s base. The swivel base is also smooth enough that even toddlers have no problem pushing the chair around. 

This chair also comes with lumbar support that has a customizable depth. It also comes in 3 sizes and colors like black and silver. Individuals can have their Herman Miller chair customized with an adjustable arm and more, but the price goes up quickly. If you have a pretty hefty budget for an ergonomic office chair, then it’s best to go with the Herman Miller Aeron Chair.

Experience Upper Back Pain Relief with Gramercy Pain Center

Using an ergonomic chair that provides the right support for your upper back can help relieve the pain you experience. But sometimes, even the best office chairs might not be enough to get rid of upper back pain for good. If the pain continues and worsens, then it’s time to consult our experts at Gramercy Pain Center.

We help patients manage their upper back pain and improve their overall quality of life using integrated and customized approaches. Book a consultation with us today for an accurate diagnosis of your upper back pain and the best treatments for it.