Back pain from working sitting: what to check before buying a chair

Before buying a new chair, it is worth ruling out the most common thing: that the one you already have is poorly adjusted. A correct, poorly adjusted chair works against you just like a bad one. This is the order in which it is best to check, and in the end, when the problem is not fixed with a chair.

A necessary precision: here we talk about ergonomics and fit, not health. If the pain persists or increases, it is necessary to consult a health professional.

Is it the chair or is it the posture?

It's usually the relationship between three things: seat height, table height, and screen height. If the feet do not rest completely on the floor, if the elbows are lower than the cover or if the screen forces you to look down, the body compensates with the back and neck.

That's why a new chair sometimes doesn't change anything: the problem was with the screen or the height of the desk.

How to properly adjust a chair, step by step?

First the seat height: feet fully on the floor and knees at a comfortable angle, with no pressure under the thighs. Second, the depth: between the edge of the seat and the back of the knee there should be a few fingers' space.

Third, lumbar support at the level of the lower curve of the back, not higher. Fourth, the armrests so that the shoulders are relaxed and the elbows close to the body when typing. And fifth, release the tension on the backrest enough to be able to recline during the day: a locked chair forces you to be rigid.

What regulations relieve the lower back?

Well-placed lumbar support and the ability to recline. Always sitting at the same angle loads the lower area, and being able to change position several times a day distributes that load.

It also helps to get up every once in a while, even if it's just for a minute. No chair, no matter how good, replaces movement.

When the problem is not solved with a chair?

When the entire position is poorly sized: a desk that is too high or too shallow, a screen without adjustable height, or a space where a reasonable posture does not fit. There the chair is only one part.

And when the pain persists despite the adjustment, it is appropriate to consult a health professional. At Dunati we can review the job position with you and propose what is appropriate; Our team is available to discuss your project.