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Ill-ConceivedVenture t1_j1shtld wrote

Not what you're going to want to hear, but your problem isn't the chair you're sitting in, it's sitting itself. Yes, a chair built for ergonomics won't hurt, but it won't correct the underlying issue and it won't prevent issues going forward.

I've tried all the top chairs, Aeron, Embody, Steelcase Leap v2, Gesture, et cetera. None of them helped. Know what helped my bad back and made it go away for good? Physical therapy. Know what keeps it from coming back? Not sitting as long or as often. Switching between sitting and standing. Strengthening my back with rucking / exercise / building core strength. Strengthening the hips and loosening them up. Stretching.

It's going to take work but the sooner you start the better.

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Dadtakesthebait t1_j1sm8d6 wrote

Agree. My standing desk has made a huge difference. I use it for work and gaming now.

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anarchikos t1_j1tjed0 wrote

Yup, I was going to answer standing desk. I had surgery on my l4/l5 and after recovering from all that ended up with a pinched nerve in my neck. Got a standing desk and fixed it all. I stand all day, I don't even have a desk chair. If I get tired of standing I go do something else or lie down for a bit. (WFH is helpful) But sitting all day is a recipe for disaster in my experience.

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Ill-ConceivedVenture t1_j1tp5l2 wrote

Sitting all day or standing all day is bad for you. We're meant to be moving or at the very least changing between sitting and standing.

Standing desks are great, especially if you can alternate between the two.

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Negative-Reading1989 t1_j1ubj69 wrote

I absolutely agree. Staying in either position too long can be problematic. A desk that can do both gives you flexibility and encourages movement. For the sitting portion I actually have a wooden chair, something that I sit pretty upright on. I probably split my standing and sitting time 50/50.

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anarchikos t1_j20um9k wrote

Exactly. Which is why when I get tired of standing go do something else for awhile (great to remind yourself to take breaks) or I lie down for a bit. For me if the option is there to sit, I end up sitting down and not realizing how long I've been sitting. Standing also guarantees you keep moving around, you can't stand without moving around for very long, unlike sitting where you can easily not move at all.

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sparrow-head t1_j1tafo5 wrote

I bought an expensive chair and it made my sitting so comfortable. After couple of years diagnosed with spinal stenosis. An incurable (surgery can help though) condition.

So what you are saying is the truth that chair sales man may not admit. Every sedantry person should be aware of this.

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MrLiverman t1_j1st097 wrote

Been this guy. Worked in this industry. This is the truth.

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hacknix t1_j1vrvut wrote

A work colleague used to use one of those kneeling chairs

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Chastidy t1_j1wzpj3 wrote

Agree 100% that exercise, PT, etc. I the real issue. Uncomfortable chair is USUALLY a symptom. But a shite chair can definitely contribute to back and neck symptoms (and elbow/wrist issues)

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