Office Chairs For Neck And Shoulder Pain:
Finding the right office chair is important when you’re prone to neck and shoulder pain. Our article can help you work out which chair could fit your needs best.
In this product review guide, I will go over…
- My top picks for office chairs for people with neck and shoulder pain
- How to pick the best office chair for your needs if you’re prone to neck and shoulder pain
- Some of the key features and options you should particularly consider in light of neck and shoulder pain when buying an office chair
Let’s get started!
Our top 5 best office chairs for neck and shoulder pain
- Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair with Headrest (Our Top Pick)
- OUTFINE Ergonomic Office Chair (Best Budget)
- Steelcase Leap Desk Chair with Headrest (Best High End)
What are office chairs for neck and shoulder pain?
From ‘tech neck’, through sports injuries, to traumatic accidents, living with short or long term neck and shoulder pain, means choosing chairs carefully.
It’s important to get seating right in order to work comfortably and ergonomically at your desk.
As neck and shoulder pain have multiple causes, and may be relieved or reduced in several ways, there will be no single chair that suits every user.
Read More >> Top 5 Best Office Chairs for Writers (2021 Review)
If you’re not sure where to start, then consider several types of chair and aim to try them before you buy, or purchase from a seller with a simple return policy.
What are the different types of office chair?
There are many seating options for the modern office, and if you have neck or shoulder pain, you may want to particularly consider some of these styles and features:
Chairs with head / neck / arm rest:
You may find that your shoulder and neck pain are less severe when the structure of your chair supports your head and/or neck, or you can rest your arms comfortably while sitting.
Chairs with 360 degree rotation:
A chair which allows you to spin all the way around means that you don’t have to turn your head, a movement which can exacerbate shoulder and neck pain.
Rolling chairs:
If the standing movement is something which sets off pain in your neck and shoulders, a chair with wheels which can roll between working surfaces can save you standing up too often.
Saddle chairs:
Saddle chairs can be more comfortable for some back pain sufferers, or professionals who spend long periods of the working day in a seated posture.
Read More >> Top 5 Best Saddle Chairs with Backrests (2021 Review)
A saddle chair with a tilted seat may help by keeping you more upright and easing the motion of standing.
Kneeling chairs:
Kneeling chairs also seem to work well for some people who experience musculoskeletal discomfort while sitting.
Both saddle and kneeling chairs should be brought into use gradually if you’re not already accustomed to sitting in these postures.
How should an office chair work when you have neck and shoulder pain?
If you’re already in pain, you should choose a chair which won’t make your pain worse and may help to alleviate it.
Exactly how you use the chair will depend on the style of seat, and the nature of your pain, but there are a couple of important common guidance points.
Firstly, use professional guidance on ergonomic set-up to adjust your office chair, working surface and all computer equipment.
This will help to avoid putting unnecessary further strain on your body.
Read More >> What is the best posture for sitting at a desk?
Secondly, don’t spend too much time sitting still in the same posture. Regardless of how supportive and ergonomic any chair may be, long periods of sitting is a strain which may make neck and shoulder pain worse.
Sit actively, stand up and move around regularly, and perhaps do some simple stretches at your desk, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
If you’re unsure about the dos and don’ts of sitting sensibly, you can use an expert checklist to make sure you don’t create new pains in the neck.
What to look for In the best office chair for neck and shoulder pain?
Don’t forget to consider other important factors beyond your shoulder and neck pain.
Most importantly, an office chair should be suited to your height and weight and must fit the available space in front of your desk.
Read More >> Top 5 Best Office Chairs For WFH (2021 Review)
Best Office Chairs for Neck and Shoulder Pain Reviewed
#1 Best all-round option: Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair with Headrest
- Made of Chrome/polypropylene base with nylon casters, this chair is made of 97% recyclable components
- Product dimensions – 29" D x 26.5" W x 46”-52" H | Seat dimensions – 18.5” D x 20.5” W | Seat height (lowest/highest) – 18.5”/22.2” | Back dimensions – 20.5” W x 28” H | Product weight – 66 lbs. | Weight limit – 250 lbs.
A highly adjustable ergonomic office chair of traditional shape, with black mesh and chrome styling.
Head, back and arm rests, lumbar support, and a 360 degree spin all make this chair ideal for neck and shoulder pain sufferers.
Pros:
- Three-position locking back angle adjustment
- Robust and resilient construction with manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
- Available in six different colors
Cons:
- Height range is only 18.5-22.2” and reviews indicate that it may not suit shorter people
- Arm rests not lockable
- Upper weight limit is only 250lb
#2 Best budget option: OUTFINE Ergonomic Office Chair
- Adjustable & Ergonomic - Sitting on a good chair can decrease fatigue, alleviate back and neck pain, and increase your overall productivity. With its adjustable headrest, lumbar support, armrests and seat height, this chair could offer ergonomic support to different users.
- Tilting & Reclining - Stuck by a tricky problem? Sometimes you need to lean back and create room for yourself before a breakthrough. The tilting and reclining mechanism is controlled by the knob and lever under the seat, offering an 130°of tilting and 3 lockable angles for working and reclining.
Good quality budget chair with adjustable seat height (18.1 inches to 22 inches.), tilt, and arm rests.
Lumbar support, tilt tension and tilt lock features. Suitable for weights of up to 275lb.
Pros:
- Low price under $200
- Highly adjustable for this price point
- Cool and comfortable mesh construction
Cons:
- May not suit taller users - the head rest is not height adjustable and some reviewers found it reached only their shoulders or back rather than head or neck
- The original wheels were too small or hard to move for some reviewers who chose to replace them
#3 Best high end option: Steelcase Leap Desk Chair with Headrest
- Buzz2 fabric is 100% polyester
- Wheels for hard flooring
Highly ergonomic and adjustable chair, including adjustments to seat depth and armrest positioning.
Excellent customizability in terms of color and wheel choice for different flooring. Made from materials which are up to 98% recyclable.
Pros:
- Suits a wide height range - adjustable seat height of 16-21” and adjustable head rest
- Ships fully assembled
- 15 cover colors and four caster options to choose from for different tastes and flooring
Cons:
- Some reviewers report loud creaking or squeaking when using this chair
#4 Best saddle chair option: Master Massage Berkeley Split Seat Saddle Stool with Backrest
- Size: 15.7’x 15’x 31"- 44"(L x W x H)
- Seat Height Adjustment from：21”-28”
This split-seat saddle stool is height adjustable from 21”-28” and has a tilting seat and well-padded saddle.
Saddle sitting supports your spine in a neutral posture and may help relieve strains contributing to neck and shoulder pain.
Model includes a removable supporting back panel in case you need to lean back in your seat for short periods.
Pros:
- Generous height adjustment will suit short and tall users alike
- Good for heavier users - weight safety rating of up to 660lb
- Saddle seats promote more healthy, active sitting with core muscles holding you upright
Cons:
- Some reviewers were unhappy with the quality of construction
- Only comes in one color
#5 Best kneeling chair option: Varier ThatSit Balans Kneeling Chair with Backrest
- The Thatsit has adjustable kneepad and a backrest, making it our most comfortable chair yet.
- It is lightweight and can easily be moved around. Variable is intended for use with standard height desks
The ThatSit Balans Kneeling Chair is comfortable, adjustable and ergonomic as well as coming in a classic Norwegian design.
Allows both forward and backward sitting, with options for resting arms, to find the most comfortable posture for your neck and shoulder pain.
This YouTube video shows the different ways you can use and adjust this Varier chair:
Pros:
- Suits all height and sizes
- Solid and sustainable wooden construction
- Multiple posture options and rocking motion both good for active sitting
Cons:
- Reviews indicate that some users may find construction more complex than expected
Final thoughts on office chairs for neck and shoulder pain
I hope you find this guide useful in selecting an office chair.
Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, an accident or some other cause of neck and shoulder pain, there are many chairs out there and you should be able to find one that fits your working needs.
Last update on 2022-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
