Rest your back. Seat backs should have both a height-adjustable lumbar support to fit the curve of your lower back snugly, and a tilt feature that allows you to move easily while being supported at all positions. Hedge says chairs with headrests also are helpful for people who need to reduce neck and shoulder strain.
Support your arms. Be sure your chair’s armrests are adjustable and set so forearms are supported when elbows are bent at 90 degrees and wrists are straight.
Get control. A chair should have adjustments for seat height, seatpan tilt, backrest height and tilt, and armrest positions – and you should be able to easily reach and adjust all levers.
Try before you buy. Visit stores and sit in many chairs before buying.
Helpful products
Bodybilt Ergonomic Office Chairs can be customized to your body type and size. Average cost: $825, www.ergo4me.com
Steelcase’s Think Office Chair has flexible back and seat flexors that conform to your body shape and provide suspension-like seating. Starts at $700, www.steelcase.com
FitBALL Exercise Ball Chair combines the cushiness of an exercise ball with the mobility and stability of an office chair. $80, www.gaiam.com
3M Adjustable Monitor Stands can be stacked to raise the top of a monitor to eye level – the proper height. Each stand is 1 1/2 inches high and supports monitors up to 21 inches or 80 pounds. $32, www.staples.com
Height and Angle FootRester adjusts to support feet and legs as you change body positions, improving seated posture and comfort. $152, www.workriteergo.com
VisionVu 18DC Document Holder keeps papers in both vertical position between keyboard and monitor and horizontal position to the side of the monitor, allowing you to hold your head upright. $50, www.vuryte.com
Staples’ One-Touch Stapler is self-standing and provides staple-gun power with just a touch. $15, www.staples.com
