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Top 10 Office Chairs for Upper Back Pain in 2024

Mark Hernandez|Feb 11, 2024

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Best Picks

Causes of Upper Back Pain
How Upper Back Support Helps
Buying Guide
FAQs

Staying seated for too long in your chair at work will lead to pains in your lower back. That could even spread to your shoulders, exacerbating existing back issues you might have. The reason is that your body stays in a static position. This position later places immense stress on your legs, back, shoulders and arms if you don’t use the best desk chair for upper back pain. An even greater amount of stress lands on the spinal discs and back muscles. However, not all chairs are made alike, and the right office chair upper back support could help you work comfortably.

Suffering from intense or mild upper back pain is not something you should take lightly, but instead, address it as soon as possible. Take into account that this is a delicate issue that could end up causing you significant problems in the future, making you unable to keep working. That's why most office workers try to get as many ergonomic products as they can in their workplace, and one of the best things you can invest in is buying the best office chair for upper back pain.

Ergonomics is a whole new world to the people who haven't studied a lot about it, so it's tricky to understand all the aspects about it when being a first-timer with them. However, you shouldn't let this stop you from getting an upper back pain office chair, since these chairs don't only help ease your back pain, but also prevent it from happening while offering many advantages in the process!

body

We mean to explore many aspects of the ergonomics business, specifically the ones related to back support since we want you to have some knowledge before investigating on your own.

Sometimes we want to find the best office chair for upper back pain, but then we realize that the best chair is not always the best chair for us. Taking that into account, let yourself dive into this page to learn what's the best ergonomic chair for you!

Best Office Chairs for Upper Back Pain

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to show you the best ergonomic chairs for upper back pain. Most of these chairs provide you full back support and not only upper back support, so they help to address the problem in every part of your back. Each chair on this list is individually great and we recommend it to you, so analyze which one you like better regardless of its position on the list.

1. Autonomous ErgoChair Pro

Muscle overuse, poor posture, and tendon or ligament inflation are some of the most common causes of upper back pain. Unfortunately, this can disrupt your life by restricting your movement, causing problems with sleeping, and affecting your work engagement.

However, there are proven ways to prevent or reduce upper back pain. Using an ergonomic office chair, such as the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro, is one of them.

Autonomous considered everything you need to protect your body while working when designing this office chair. That's why it has an adaptable and flexible frame that adjusts to your silhouette and comes with several accessories that will provide extra comfort as you move during the day.

Is the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro the best office chair for upper back pain? Check out its features and benefits to make a smart decision!

Key Features

Height adjustment mechanism
Headrests, armrests, backrests, and seat tilt mechanisms
100% earth-friendly materials
300-lbs support
Two-year warranty
Five caster wheels
Six color options

What we love

Thanks to its flexible and adaptable frame, which is made of resistant materials, this chair can relieve discomfort in the upper back by enhancing your natural mobility and ensuring postural health. Plus, it can recline up to 22° for extra comfort.

This furniture piece also comes with a flexible lumbar support for office chair that supports and protects your spine by adapting to its natural curve, which can relieve stiffness and pain.

upper back pain office chair with a flexible lumbar cushion

Besides that, the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro offers the following benefits:

Promotes optimal airflow and breathability
Is eligible for the brand's discounts
Has a modern and elegant design
Complements any space or style
Requires easy assembly

What to consider

Although the ErgoChair Pro is an excellent office chair for upper back pain, there are a few potential drawbacks that should be considered, including the following:

Armrest pads cannot be locked in a fixed position. Instead, they move freely.
The seat is rigid and may be slightly uncomfortable.

ErgoChair Pro

2375 reviews

2. Herman Miller Aeron

If you're looking for the best desk chair for upper back pain, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is one of the most popular options you'll find. This seating solution is among people's favorite choices because of its attractive appearance and cutting-edge style. However, there are many other things to learn about it.

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is highly adaptable and offers superior comfort. It has a Pellicle mesh structure that contours your body for a pleasant sitting experience.

Additionally, this chair comes with armrests, a height-adjustable seat, and lumbar support to help you maintain a healthy posture while working, reducing stress on your muscles and relieving back pain.

However, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is available for a high price, starting at $1,000. Is it worth choosing such an expensive furniture piece? Take a look at the information below to answer that question.

Key Features

Comfortable mesh seat
Breathable Pellicle backrest
Sturdy structure with an aluminum frame
Noiseless casters
12-year warranty

What we love

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair offers the best of both worlds: functionality and comfort. Also, it has a modern design that fits any style and can improve your office's appearance.

Thanks to its sturdy frame and high-quality construction, this chair will support your long work sessions and last for years! Furthermore, the brand offers a generous 12-year warranty, which demonstrates its commitment to manufacturing long-lasting products to ensure customer satisfaction.

Still wondering if this is a good office chair for upper back pain? Consider the following benefits:

Promotes temperature regulation through its ergonomically designed mesh seat
Boasts a beautiful and elegant but environmentally conscious design
Includes adjustable office chair accessories, such as armrests
Has smooth and noiseless casters for an optimal experience
Comes in different colors and configurations

What to consider

While it may be a good option if you're looking for an office chair with upper back support, this seating solution comes with some drawbacks, such as:

The Aeron Chair doesn't include an office chair headrest attachment.
Its price is too high compared to other options.

3. Steelcase Leap v2 Ergonomic Chair

We have the Steelcase Leap v2 Ergonomic Chair. This chair provides an innovative back support system that allows you to decide which specific part of your back you want the pressure to be in and configure how much lumbar support you want.

This feature makes the chair a great asset to your office and your goal of getting the best office chair for upper back pain you can ask for.

This fully adjustable chair also provides a decent reclining system along with a minimalist design that makes it fit with most office aesthetics, making it a chair that doesn't shine for having a showy design, but for its utility and back support.

4. ErgoChair Curve

With fully adjustable settings and an ergonomically designed structure that adapts to the curvature of your spine, the Autonomous ErgoChair Curve provides optimal comfort for a healthy sitting experience.

In addition, the ErgoChair Curve is made with first-class materials, standing out for its flexible upholstery that combines contoured molded foam with plush polyester mesh. As a result, this furniture piece naturally accommodates your body's movements and promotes a healthy posture to relieve stress on your back muscles.

Do you want to know more details about the ErgoChair Curve? Find them below!

Key Features

300-lbs support
Height-adjustable structure
Customizable armrests and back recline
Breathable mesh back
2-year warranty

What we love

Thanks to its high-quality frame, this seating solution will support every movement without losing its shape or sacrificing comfort. The ErgoChair Curve's design is inspired by the soothing ripples of water, so using this chair feels like floating in the ocean.

With this ergonomic office chair with adjustable lumbar support, you can minimize sweating, even if you work for hours. It has a polyester mesh backrest and a contoured molded foam seat that will keep you cool all the time!

In addition, the ErgoChair Curve allows you to maintain a healthy posture during your work sessions. Since its armrests are adjustable, you can rotate each one left and right or move them up and down for the ideal forearm and shoulder support.

ErgoChair Curve for upper back pain

The following are other benefits that the ErgoChair Curve offers:

Adapts to all body shapes
Relieves pressure on your hips and lower back
Provides long-term stability
Can recline up to 18°
Comes with a lumbar support pad for extra comfort

What to consider

This chair offers many benefits and can be an excellent option for those who want to prevent upper back pain. However, to make the best decision, you should consider its potential disadvantages, which include:

It's only available in two colors: black and gray.
Although shipping typically takes between three and five business days, delivery times may vary depending on your location.

ErgoChair Curve

21 reviews

5. Ergohuman LE9ERG Office Chair

The design of this Ergohuman office chair with upper back support is impressive when you talk about providing support to its user, and that's because it supports your back regardless of the position you are in.

When looking for the best office chair upper back support, the first thing you should think of is the back support the chair offers you, and back support is the best advantage that the Ergohuman Office Chair gives you.

This chair's adjustability makes you able to decide how much lumbar support you want to receive while adjusting your seat depth too. That’s not all, since the chair’s lower back support stays with you even when you lean forward, so it’s great if you are someone who tends to do that.

6. Dragonn Kneeling chair

The DRAGONN Kneeling Chair doesn't have a conventional structure that lifts shoulders up. Instead, it features a titled seat that pushes your hips forward.

However, this seating solution could be a good option if you're looking for the best desk chair for upper back pain and think the traditional ones aren't for you.

Although its design is different, the DRAGONN Kneeling Chair encourages your postural muscles to align with your shoulders, neck, and back. If you use it, your weight will be distributed throughout your buttocks and legs, which is essential for better spinal health.

Do you still have doubts? Below is more information about this chair.

Key Features

Affordable price
30-day return policy
Height adjustment features
Knee rest
Four caster wheels

What we love

To know if the DRAGONN Kneeling Chair is a good option, check out its pros:

The back wheels can be locked.
It's available for only $109.99, which means this chair is one of the cheapest options you'll find.
The DRAGONN Kneeling Chair comes with a one-year warranty.
It has a tilted design that helps you maintain an upright position to reduce slouching and release tension while sitting.
With the rear adjustment knob, you can set the ideal height in just seconds.

7. Balance ball from PharMeDoc

Seating solutions are changing as people's unique needs evolve. As a result, there are innovative chairs with original designs that address common issues, such as upper back pain, in a different way.

This product isn't a chair as such but exactly what its name suggests: a balance ball. Although designed to offer support during workout and therapy sessions, it has become a popular option for office workers who prioritize their physical health and comfort.

Is this balance ball by PharMeDoc a good option if you need an office chair for upper back pain? Learn more about it below!

Key Features

Non-slippery and safe materials
Anti-burst ball
Super affordable option
Multi-purpose seating solution
5-star rating based on 80 customer reviews

What we love

By using PharMeDoc's balance ball, you can enjoy multiple benefits, including the following:

You'll have an innovative chair that fully supports your lower back and spine, reducing discomfort.
The balance ball includes a base ring for increased stability.
This product comes with several accessories, including a resistance band and an air pump.
PharMeDoc's balance ball is perfect for exercise or therapy sessions and can be used during pregnancy.
It's suitable for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What to consider

While this balance ball offers some benefits, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider before making your purchase, including:

There's only one color option.
This balance ball won't fit any space or style.

8. Secretlab Titan

Promising unrivaled performance and personalized support, the Secretlab TITAN Evo has become a strong contender for the best office chair for upper back pain.

When assembling this chair, Secretlab relied on cutting-edge engineering technologies and used durable materials to achieve advanced results. Plus, it has focused on ergonomics, designing a seating solution that will offer comfort during the most tedious work or gaming sessions.

Are you interested in learning more about the Secretlab TITAN Evo? Find more details below!

Key Features

L-ADAPT™ lumbar support system
CloudSwap™ armrest tops
Magnetic memory foam head pillow
Complete recline and tilt adjustability
Sculpted pebble seat base

What we love

If you want to know if the Secretlab TITAN Evo is the office chair for upper back pain that you need, check out its advantages:

This chair can be used for different purposes, such as working or gaming.
The TITAN Evo's structure moves with you effortlessly, relieving stress on your muscles.
This chair's lumbar support system adapts naturally to your spine, offering 57% more back coverage.
The armrests are adjustable.
The TITAN EVO is available in several sizes.

What to consider

Are you looking for the ideal office chair with back support? Before choosing this one, evaluate its disadvantages:

Color options are limited.
Its price is slightly higher, exceeding $540 if you choose the standard model.

9. Steelcase Gesture Chair

Many brands claim to offer the best desk chair for upper back pain, including Steelcase. This manufacturer has designed a seating solution that manages to keep your body in a comfortable position for hours.

Steelcase wanted to create an ergonomic office chair with headrest with several adjustability options to allow users to customize it based on their needs. Moreover, it comes with many ergonomic features.

Since it has been manufactured with high-quality materials, the Gesture Chair is highly durable. Unlike other options, it has plastic components for added flexibility. However, its structure is still solid.

This chair has a beautiful and elegant design that provides a cleaner appearance. It'll fit any modern or minimalist design.

However, the Steelcase Gesture Chair is quite expensive. Actually, many users consider that it's a "premium" option that requires a significant investment. Do you want to know if it's still a good choice? Read on for more information!

Best desk chair for upper back pain - Steelcase

Key Features

Several ergonomic features, such as a comfortable backrest and recline
Innovative lumbar support mechanism
BIFMA LEVEL® 3 and indoor air quality (IAQ) certifications
Manual adjustments to control seat height and depth
Durable polished aluminum base

What we love

Do you want to make sure the Steelcase Gesture is the best office chair for upper back pain you'll find? These are its advantages:

This chair is made with high-quality materials and can last for years, even if you use it every day for hours.
The Steelcase Gesture's metallic components have been covered with molded plastic for a smoother appearance.
It features highly adjustable armrests. You can move them in almost any direction or angle to make sure you're always in a comfortable position.
This chair can keep your body comfortable for hours.

Steelcase Gesture is the best office chair for upper back pain

What to consider

Are you considering buying this chair? Check out its disadvantages before making a final decision:

This chair's price is above $1,200, which means it'll require a significant investment.

10. Hbada Office task chair

If you're still trying to find the best desk chair for upper back pain, HBADA has an option that is worth considering. Its design combines traditional styles with modern technologies, which results in an innovative, elegant, and functional seating solution.

HBADA's office task chair has an elastic and adaptable three-zone lumbar support pad that can help you prevent spinal stenosis and reduce the burden on your back muscles. Relaxing will no longer be a problem, even when sitting for long periods.

In addition, this office chair with leg support has a sturdy frame that can withstand daily use and will remain stable for years. Do you want to learn more about it? Find everything you need to know below.

best desk chair for upper back pain - HBADA

Key Features

U-shaped design
3D armrests
3-level seat recline
Footrest
Three-year warranty

What we love

Do you think this one is the office chair with the upper back support system you were looking for? Consider its advantages before making your purchase:

HBADA offers free part repair and replacement under certain circumstances.
The seat's depth can be adjusted to match different sitting positions and body types.
This chair comes with a footrest to relax your muscles and relieve fatigue.
Thanks to its S-shaped bionic backrest, this chair can fit the curve of your spine.
The chair's armrests can be adjusted to different positions.

What to consider

The HBADA office chair also has some drawbacks that you should consider before choosing it as your definitive seating solution, including:

There's only one color available (black).

What Is Causing Your Upper Back Pain?

To understand how an upper back pain office chair can help you, you need to understand what is causing this pain. This problem can originate in many ways, and those things have specific causes for them, so we recommend that you carefully analyze the primary reasons for it to know which one is in your case. Here you have a list of the things that could be causing your upper back pain:

Bad Posture

Having bad posture is a common issue that affects office and remote workers since they have to spend most of their time in a chair. Sitting all day in a chair causes many health risks. Using a standard chair worsens your posture the more you use it, even more, if you had these problems before. What is dangerous about having bad posture is that if the issue progresses, it can produce other back problems, so you have to correct it quickly.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain can produce severe upper back pain, so if this is what is causing your pain, you can notice it right away. The sensation is extremely uncomfortable to the one suffering from it, so you should treat it as soon as you detect it. Muscle strains tend to happen for lack of flexibility or overexertion of the muscle, so having a bad posture can bring that as a consequence.

Spinal Cord Compression

That issue occurs when you are in a situation that causes your spinal cord to deal with a lot of pressure, producing pain and spreading it to other parts of your body. Take into account that this condition can make many parts of your body hurt, so pay attention to what you feel and when the sensation starts to decide how to address it.

How Can an Office Chair with Upper Back Support Help You?

As you could see, many reasons can cause upper back pain to happen, but the question is: How can you stop the pain? And the answer is with chair support for upper back pain! It's understandable that you doubt that a chair can help you address all the situations we mentioned, but the reality is that since those chairs were made to solve those situations, their design does all the work by itself. Look at some of the benefits of using ergonomic chairs:

Posture Improvement

Ergonomics companies develop ergonomic chairs with a design that allows them to support your back completely. This support improves your posture. The chairs adapt to your body and boost your back's breathability, alleviating any pain that you could be suffering from.

When correcting your posture, you prevent neck and back pain, since most back problems come from a bad posture. Not only that, but these chairs allow you to adjust them as much as you want, so you can modify your chair to meet all your personal needs.

Productivity Boost

It's proven that you work better when you feel comfortable, so having a chair that provides comfort is the best thing that could happen to an office worker. Suffering from something or feeling uncomfortable is detrimental to your job performance since it distracts you from what you have to do.

Using an upper back pain office chair makes this issue go away, making you forget about that pain that was disturbing you so much. Its back breathability and range of adjustment are excellent to relax and relieve pressure from your spinal cord, which helps you focus on your work and not on other unpleasant things. Thus, it boosts your productivity and work performance.

Blood Circulation Improvement

We recommend you to do things that improve your blood circulation since it prevents future mobility problems and flexibility issues from happening. Standard chairs jeopardize your blood flow and block it, so try to look for ergonomic chairs since they can improve the blood circulation in your legs and other parts of your body.

What to Look for In a Desk Chair for Upper Back Pain?

When you’re unsupported and uncomfortable at your desk, you need to consider good upper back support for office chair. The best office chair upper back support isn’t all about cushioning and fluff and more about ergonomics. Here is our list of the top 20 office chair upper back support.

Regardless of their pros and cons, there are things that you must consider when looking for an ergonomic chair for back pain. Every best office chair for upper back pain should have some specific features that allow it to meet your needs properly. We want you to have the best chair you can ask for, so here are some of the functions that every ergonomic chair should have:

Adjustability

One of the best things about ergonomic chairs is that you can adjust them and configure them to meet your personal needs. If a chair doesn't provide a decent range of adjustability, you shouldn't think about buying it since many affordable chairs allow you to adjust some basic features.

Back Support

As their name shows, every office chair with upper back support should offer great back support to help you correct your sitting posture and prevent back pain. Most office chair support for upper back pain provides full back support, so try to look for a chair that attends to each part of your back equally.

Related Items

Ergonomic chairs can help you a lot by themselves, but if combined with other ergonomic products, you can duplicate their advantages. Most of the companies that sell those chairs sell items such as desks or decorations for your office, so try to combine your chair with similar products to boost your comfort and productivity.

>>> Read more:

FAQs

How can I stop upper back pain at my desk?

Management of upper back pain while seated can be corrected by adjusting your desk and chair. Set a position that supports your spine properly and won’t cause you to hunch over or slouch. Then restore your posture by aligning your spine against the chair backrest or add a brace attachment on that backrest.

How do you adjust a desk chair for upper back pain?

To adjust the chair, place your upper arms parallel to the spine. Then, place your hands on the desk and see if your elbows form a 90° angle. If your elbows are lower or higher than this 90° angle, readjust your chair or desk's height till it's completely straight. Standing desks give you the optimal height irrespective of your seating position or height.

Can sitting cause upper back pain?

Excessive sitting leads to pain in the thoracic spine and upper back because the muscles get fatigued. Weak muscles cause slouching that puts extra pressure on connective tissues and joints as well. Eventually, you develop muscle pain, joint strain, and muscle imbalances.

When should I worry about upper back pain?

It begins as a mild tweak or twinge that’s very easy to ignore and actually goes away once you’re standing. However, it could worsen if overlooked at the initial stages, which prevents you from working or moving easily. If you stay seated for too many hours at your desk, look out for these symptoms: stiffness, pain, tightness, headache, and tender muscles.

The pain originates out of the thoracic spine that’s connected to the ribs. It could spread to the shoulders, shoulder blades, and lower back closer to your hips. Other symptoms might even include pain in the lower legs, the lower back, leg weakness, and bladder and bowel leakage.

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WRITTEN BYMark Hernandez

With human factors and kinesiology mastery, I'm keen on optimizing workspaces for everyone's comfort, productivity and overall corporate's well-being.

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