Office chair/foot rest for tall person: help with lower back pain

[FelixDaHousecat]

Hey there,

I'm 1.91m tall and recently got an online job which is great, but the long hours sitting in my budget office chair are killing my lower back. I've been using a standing desk throughout university because of back issues, but I have to sit now due to the nature of the job so want to invest in a decent office chair. There's an overwhelming amount of choices and options, I really just want something that's going to be comfortable sitting in for long periods and give excellent support for my lower back.

Also looking for any footrest options if you have any suggestions. I have also seen this Deskstand which I'm definitely going to get to help with brief breaks from sitting: https://www.deskstand.com/collections/featured-deskstands/products/jumbo-deskstand-standing-desk.

I live in Cape Town, and would really like to try out an office chair before spending 4-6k on one! Can you recommend any good model chairs for tall people? Do you know any good footrest options? Are there any good office chair supply places in Cape Town where I could go to try out a few models? Thanks!

 

[maumau]

Footrest - wrap a few telephone directories in brown paper- the ones Telkom insist on delivering.

 

[FelixDaHousecat]

Haha...good one!

 

[Willie Trombone]

Hey there,

I'm 1.91m tall and recently got an online job which is great, but the long hours sitting in my budget office chair are killing my lower back. I've been using a standing desk throughout university because of back issues, but I have to sit now due to the nature of the job so want to invest in a decent office chair. There's an overwhelming amount of choices and options, I really just want something that's going to be comfortable sitting in for long periods and give excellent support for my lower back.

Also looking for any footrest options if you have any suggestions. I have also seen this Deskstand which I'm definitely going to get to help with brief breaks from sitting: https://www.deskstand.com/collections/featured-deskstands/products/jumbo-deskstand-standing-desk.

I live in Cape Town, and would really like to try out an office chair before spending 4-6k on one! Can you recommend any good model chairs for tall people? Do you know any good footrest options? Are there any good office chair supply places in Cape Town where I could go to try out a few models? Thanks!

Definitely get the orth chair but what you probably need more is intermittent mobility. I'm in the same boat and sitting was doing my back in something chronic. The difficult part was figuring out the cause.
I now try exercise more regularly and incorporate stretching / yoga in particular. Sitting for extended periods shortens your ligaments among other things and that causes muscle spasms, especially in your lower back. Hamstring stretches, hip flexor stretches and glutes give the best value.

 

[FelixDaHousecat]

Thanks for that - i totally agree. Problem is i have back to back sessions sometimes and need to stay at the desk for up to 1.5 - 2 hours straight - but I make sure I move around in the breaks as much as I can, and do stretched. I also try do yoga whenever I can. Gonna get that stand so I can try work some of the time standing too just to mix it up. Definitely have to sit and want a chair that's gonna give really good support for my lower back.

 

[AntiThesis]

I'm not too far off your height and the Merryfair Wau Ergo made a massive difference to me. I'm also sitting for maybe 8 hours a day (with some breaks and walking too) and my back is much better now than it was before the chair. I think Desk and Chair would probably be open to testing it out for a bit but I only really saw results after about two weeks. The TPU looks and feels weird when you first sit on it but dear lord it's comfortable.

Think it's time to make a foot rest as well though.

 

[FelixDaHousecat]

That's one of the chairs I'd heard about and definitely keen to check it out. Heard someone say it was uncomfortable when they tried it, but as you say maybe just needs some time to try it out. Thanks for recommending that place, I'll look it up! Definitely keen to go to a place where I can try one out first.

 

[Chingha]

Go to All Office in Obs and try out a range of chairs.

They are professionals who back all their products with decent warranties.

 

[FelixDaHousecat]

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check them out.

 

[FelixDaHousecat]

Went to All Office, they didn't have the most amazing range for lumber support chairs, but decided to try out one of their chairs for a couple of days which was pretty reasonable. thanks for the recommendation! Also ordered that deskstand today and a footrest from ergotherapy. Tried out one of their ergonomic chairs today but the mesh backrest was way too soft for my liking. Hoping the All Office chair will be good! Tried out a "Kelly" footrest from Ergotherapy today and I liked it, ordered that online too. Thanks for all the help guys!

Go to All Office in Obs and try out a range of chairs.

They are professionals who back all their products with decent warranties.