My desk chair broke. I’ve also recently had some problems with my neck and back, which the doctor partially attributed to bad posture. So I’m wondering if I should get one of those bizarre kneeling chairs, to force myself into a better sitting posture.
With my old chair, I would typically sit in a kind of half “Indian style” way: one leg bent with the foot tucked under the other leg, which would dangle down. No doubt this is horrible for one’s entire musculoskeletal system. So perhaps I need a chair that’s a bit more stern about posture.
My other concern though is that I need support for my right elbow, so I can use the mouse without my neck cricking up on that side.
All that aside, OfficeMax has a nifty massager chair that isn’t too expensive, and I’m quite tempted by that.
A good friend of mine got a desk chair that is a stand for an exercise ball - you sit on the ball. She loves it - it has aided her in increasing her back strength and improved her posture. I love it and would get one if I didn’t have cats with all their claws and a lot of nerve.
Notes on “back chairs”: I use them and my specs are:
Must be on wheels.
Must have an adjustable seat height.
I would also add:
Must have armrests.
Must have a back.
but that apparently doesn’t correspond to reality for some reason.
I really enjoy back chairs for modest periods of time (up to a couple hours) when I am mainly typing. For long duration use or when I am basically “sitting and thinking”, they don’t work so well.
Both a family member and I keep two chairs around. A regular one and a back chair. Changing back and forth as the mood fits.
If you want to “try out” a back chair, go browsing your local thrift shops. One pops up at my local Goodwill about once every 2 weeks for really, really cheap.
The best cheap approach is probably the balance ball, if you can get one that will put you at the right height in relation to your desk. If you have lots of money burning a hole in your pocket, you might look into the Bambach Saddle Seat. I’ve also seen chairs like this which look interesting, but I couldn’t find one the right height for me.