Getting frustrated seeking an office chair! (Back issues)

Hi folks, seeking some advice (Please read before telling me to buy an Aeron!)

I'm male, aged 25, 6ft in height, and I have always had issues with my back/tension in my neck due to Scheuermann's disease. Its a pretty mild case but it means I have forward neck posture and constant tension and discomfort in my sternocleidomastoid muscles, and also ache in my mid-upper back due to lack of use of those muscles when standing.

I have had years of chiropractor but nothing seems to help besides strengthening. My posture is admittedly horrible and I spend a lot of time working from home in front of a computer (6-8 hours per day). I can't seem to find a chair that suits me. Sitting up straight in a 'good posture' ergonomic chair for long periods of time really messes with me and makes me feel like I have been stretched to oblivion and I'm waddling around afterwards. I obviously need to work on my posture but I feel as though strengthening the muscles in the gym helps me more than anything else.

I'm still seeking the ultimate chair for my circumstances. I will go through the chairs I have tried and sat in and why they did/didnt work for me.

IKEA MARKUS - A good chair that enabled me to sit up straight or recline and also stretch around. I like the headrest so I can relieve my neck muscles. What I don't like is that it doesnt seem to go upright enough. I'm always seated slightly reclined to the point im drooping my head forward. I also removed the armrests because they are non-adjustable and the padding in the seat after a few years is not plush enough. Overall, served me well but not quite right.
ORANGEBOX DO - An expensive ergonomic chair. We use these at work and I get on with it okay so I bought one for home. Its a little too solid but at least it offers good adjustment. The thing is you have to get it just right to be able to be comfortable, sitting dead upright. If you slouch just a tiny bit, its incredibly uncomfortable and bad on your back. You end up in a banana posture. If I could sustain sitting with perfect posture for 8 hours, it would probably be fine. But I like to relax a bit from time to time.
Corsair T1 RACE - Uh oh. Gamer chairs. They have such a bad rep. I don't own this one, I tried it at a friends house. But it seems really comfortable for me. The flat, firm back (without the cushion) means I had support without having to adjust lumbar (or sit like a croissant when relaxing) and It felt plush but firm enough that I could spend many hours in it sat upright and recline to relax but still keep my back straight. I know everyone says buy an ergonomic chair, but I'm thinking maybe, the spinal issues I have just mean that I have a unique circumstance and that I'm actually making myself worse by trying ergonomic chairs all the time. I have a sporty car, and I can do a 6 hour journey in the car seat with little issues. These chairs are quite similar to those in the car.

I've admittedly not tried an aeron or embody. But as I say, because of my issues and fatigue I often find myself slouching, so I think I need a chair that will support me both when sitting up and when slouching back. I begrudge spending all that money on one when I already have a £500 orangebox as my daily driver and I can only be comfy in it for the 1 hour that I can sit up properly.

TL;DR - I've tried lots of ergonomic chairs, but because my spine is ruined I feel like they all rub me up the wrong way and that 'gaming chairs' may actually suit me better. What do ?

in buildapcby Danlat6611

100%

3.0y

Emerald_Flame

3.0y

It sounds like your best bet would be to go to your doctor and a physical therapist and get recommendations from them.

Reddit is not the place to seek medical advice, especially for back and neck issues which can very seriously lead to severe injuries and disablement when not properly treated.

Danlat6611

3.0y

I have, hence the many years of chiropractic therapy and physio etc. When asking for chair recommendations, different doctors/chiropractors often have very different ideas. I was more hoping that I would find someone on reddit in a similar position to myself that may have some insight. Thanks for the concern though. Wish I could just magic it away but such is life!

Emerald_Flame

3.0y

Chiropractors are not doctors.

You should seek the help of an actual MD and a physical therapist, and take their advice. If you don't trust or believe your doctors have the correct training to advise you, seek new doctors.

Danlat6611

3.0y

I have private healthcare with Bupa, and have been both through them and the NHS (UK). I was assigned physio as well but they all tell me the same thing - strengthen the muscles and exercise regularly.

Boris36

2.0y

Also, move regularly. Standing desk for example often gives people ability to move more regularly. But also a notification on computer every half an hour can have this effect. Apart from that just get a supportive office chair (one that either fits your body specifically, or one that has enough adjustment options that it lets you make it fit your specific body shape. If you don't know how/if a chair fits your body, look up some youtube guides or ask in an ergonomic office chair shop.

Critical-Fly-1910

1.1y

Good general advice. Though I'm also looking for similar ergonomic tips as I have the same condition. Its really hard to find good chairs, beds. So if someone knows of some research made on this area, would be very keen to know the sources of such.

Valoneria

3.0y

Gamer chairs are comfortable, for just a few hours. The T1 Race i'm pretty sure is just a white labelled chinese model, and better models do exist.

I currently own a SecretLab, hailed for being one of the good gaming chairs, and even then it's still not a ergonomic luxury. I also use a Aeron Classic at work, very good support, but the pricetag is way over what i'd give for a chair normally.

A solid midway between those could be a Neuechair + headrest? Kinda a Aeron copy, but still affordable and built by the Secretlab as well.

Danlat6611

3.0y

I've heard decent things about the SecretLab series. Which one is it you own and what are your thoughts on it ? What chair did you come from beforehand?

I appreciate the suggestions.

Valoneria

3.0y

I'm using the Omega, the old 2018 model. It's a decent enough model in its own right, soft pillows, an annoying lumbar billow (i prefer attachable ones, not loose ones like this one), solid arm rests and a decent headrest. The arm rests have been broken twice already, since i lean heavily to one side when bored, so that's a minus in my book.

It's a nice enough chair, no doubt, but it's nowhere as ergonomical as the Aeron at work.

I've previously used a AkRacing chair, one of the OG brands of gaming chairs. Thin seat, thin armrests, poor build quality, and bothersome repairs would best describe it, but that was the standard of the time, and gaming chairs has come a long way since then. I still see the same issue in cheap gaming chairs, that i've had with the AkRacing model though.

chas1723

3.0y

Staples has some pretty decent ergo chairs. I have the Dexley but they also have the hyken. Both go on sale for <$150 pretty regularly.

Danlat6611

3.0y

Can't get the hyken here in the UK unfortunately. I did look into it as it is mentioned a lot and well reviewed !

chas1723

3.0y

Dexley is a bigger version of the hyken.

[deleted]

3.0y

I would recommend a second hand Herman Miller Aeron or mira

Critical-Fly-1910

1.1y

Herman miller ones can be good. I would suggest to try Håg Capisco charis too. But over all I suggest to change the position to work in a lot. Not sitting or standing all the time. Both can be bad.