Best Desk Chair for Shoulder Pain

Best Desk Chair for Shoulder Pain – You have plenty of options to choose from for an office chair that can help with your neck and shoulder pain.

Remember, you need a chair with an adjustable headrest and solid back support. If you suffer from bad neck and/or shoulder pain, you’ll want to purchase an ergonomic chair sooner rather than later.

When people are shopping for a new office chair, they’re most commonly researching chairs that help support their lower back because they’re dealing with sciatica or some other type of back issue.

But neck and shoulder pain is nearly as common — and if you don’t have a proper office chair designed to support your neck and shoulders, that pain is only going to get worse.

Thankfully, there are a number of great chairs on the market that are specifically designed to help people with neck and shoulder pain. Because of that, though, finding the perfect chair for you can be a tad daunting.

Don’t worry. We’ve done the research and come up with a great list of 10 chairs that won’t necessarily solve your pain (that’s on you to stretch and build strength in those areas), but will certainly not make matters worse.

We hope you found this guide helpful! Good luck with your purchase.

ROUND UP

1.DUOREST Chair

This mid-range ergonomic chair from Duorest offers a range of features to support your body and ensure your working comfort.

The dual-backrest system moves flexibly on X, Y and Z axes, delivering supported movement while keeping your back straight. Tilt and tension adjustment and locking. Ergonomic sitting angle.

Seat height ranges from around 16.8 – 21.3”, backrests are height, depth and width adjustable and armrests can be adjusted for height and width. Headrest is height and angle adjustable.

DUOREST Chair

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

2.Hbada Chair

Home Office Desk Chair – Sleek design and simple adjustment mid-back desk chair. Match different decorative styles. Ergonomic backrest fit the natural curve of the lower back and take the pain of spinal away from your body

Space Saving – You can flip the arms up and put the chair under the desk for saving space.Suitable for livingroom, study room, conference room and office

Seat height adjustable from 17.7 – 21.2”. Compact shape with armrests that flip up for under-desk storage.

Breathable and supportive mesh construction with 360 degree swivel.

Hbada Chair

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

3.NOUHAUS Ergo3D

The NOUHAUS Ergo3D is another budget office chair with a lot of upside.

It’s two biggest selling features is its highly adjustable headrest, which is helpful for those with neck and shoulder pain, along with its 4D armrests, which can adjust up and down, and pivot left and right, allowing you to hone in on that perfect typing position. That level of adjustment not only helps with shoulder pain, but also prevents things like carpal tunnel down the road.

The Ergo3D also comes in four great colors: black, burgundy, blue and grey. The blue is a favorite of mine because it makes a home office look a bit more modern.

This chair also reclines back to the preferred 135-degree angle and can lock there, giving you the opportunity to have a nice lower back stretch throughout the day.

The mesh backing is a bit too soft, but the lumbar support makes up for it. While it’s soft, it is comfortable to sit on.

Overall, this chair is quite heavy-duty and features high quality construction. The five-point base is evidence of this. Most office chairs opt for a four-point base. The extra leg and wheel easily allows for an adult up to 275 lbs., although it could probably hold more.

One owner of this chair gave it very high praise, saying it features “Herman Miller quality and features,” but at a budget price.

NOUHAUS Ergo3D

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

4.Steelcase Gesture Chair

It’s one of the more expensive chairs on our list, but it’s also the best chair money can buy for those dealing with neck and shoulder pain.

The Steelcase Gesture is an absolute winner all around. Here some of its highlights:

• Weight capacity. This chair is rated to hold someone who is up to 400lbs.
• Great wheels. The wheels on cheaper chairs don’t glide well on carpeting. This is not the case with Steelcase. You can roll around on carpet with ease.
• Ergonomic. The seat and back move in a synchronized system, which allows for all-day support. And when your back is well-supported, you’re sitting with good posture, which is good for your neck and shoulders.

If you’re not the handiest person, you’ll be glad that this chair comes fully assembled, along with a 12-year warranty, which is one of the longer warranties for chairs on this list.

There’s no headrest on this chair, which might seem peculiar for a chair that’s strong in helping with neck and shoulder pain. But the back support from this chair is absolutely stunning which, in return, helps with neck and shoulder pain.

The biggest downside to this chair is its price. If you can get your employer to subsidize some of the cost, it’s totally worth the investment.

Steelcase Gesture Chair

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

5.STAPLES Hyken

Thousands of people who were looking for a budget office chair to support their neck and shoulder landed on a great option by Staples.

The Staples Hyken Technical Task sells out quickly. It has an excellent breathable mesh back and adequate lumbar support. It’s the headrest that sets it apart from other budget chairs, though. You can adjust that headrest slightly up and down, in addition to angling left and right.

The mesh backing is well constructed and does a great job of being breathable.

Now, as a budget chair, the Staples Hyken isn’t perfect. Some owners complained about some adjustment options dying after about a year’s use, which could be worrisome for prospective buyers. But you know what you’re getting into when you buy a cheaper chair.

This chair also doesn’t recline, which could be a potential issue if you have lower back pain and need to recline to get some movement during the day.

Everything about this chair is made of plastic, so its weight capacity is lower at 250 lbs.

As a budget chair, you’re limited for color choices. So, we hope you like black.

This chair comes unassembled, so be ready to put it together.

STAPLES Hyken

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

6.Ergohuman Chair

With its high backrest and highly-adjustable headrest, the Raynor Ergohuman is an excellent pick for supporting your neck and shoulders — and it won’t break the bank.

Now, this chair isn’t a budget chair, but it also doesn’t eclipse four figures.

Here’s why we really like it:

• Multiple colors. This is a rarity for more affordable office chairs. The Ergohuman comes in six different — and great looking! — colors. Check out the navy and the burgundy.
• That headrest. The Ergohuman’s headrest might be the best headrest on this list. It adjusts up and down, pivots left and right, and can be angled to perfectly support your neck and keep you in a strong working posture all day. It also looks really nice because it mimics the same mesh backing as the backrest.
• Nice recline. The back angle adjustment allows you to adjust and lock into three positions, which is quite handy. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to stretch out your back throughout the day.

While armrests are important to sit ergonomically, some people simply don’t like them. This chair has armrests, but it’s not important for the construction of the chair if you really don’t want them.

So, what are owners of this chair saying about it?

It’s breathable, thanks to its great mesh backing. Many people, though, have complained about the overall comfort of the chair, specifically the seat cushion being too hard. The foam in the armrests is also a bit too forgiving.

Ergohuman Chair

AMAZON.COM

Pros & Cons

Choosing the Best Office Chair for Shoulder Pain

When shopping for your next office chair specifically to deal with your neck and shoulder pain, there are a number of factors to consider. Use this guide to make the best-informed purchase.

Robust Seat Height

Another feature that you’ll want in an office chair for neck pain is robust seat height control. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a seat height adjustment range of 15 to 22” works for most people. The reason for this as it relates to neck pain is the same as armrest height adjustment.

When your desk is too high, you move your shoulders up and raise your hands, wrists, and forearms to reach the right height. However, staying in this position for too long will strain your neck muscles and eventually cause headaches as the suboccipital muscles at the bottom of your skull get fatigued.

On the other hand, when your desk is too low, your neck and upper body flexes forward, shortening your suboccipital muscles and causing headaches, neck pain, and muscle spasm.

Head and Neck Support

Let’s start with the most obvious – head and neck support. There are two types of neck support commonly found on ergonomic office chairs.

The first is a fixed headrest that spans the width of the entire backrest. Typically found on executive office chairs, it consists of a protruding pillow that can be very comfortable, provided it is the right height.

The second type of neck support comes in the form of an articulated headrest that is shaped and curved to conform to the user’s cervical spine. If you have neck pain, it’s vital that any articulated headrest is at least height adjustable to support the exact region of your neck that needs extra support. Otherwise, it could exasperate your condition.

Ergonomics

What is an ergonomic chair? It’s a chair that allows you to sit and work in the most proven position that’s healthy for your back, hips, arms, neck, shoulders and wrists. The best ergonomic chairs can accommodate a variety of different sized people. More expensive options from companies like Herman Miller and Steelcase, for example, are insanely ergonomic because they can support a 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound man just as good as it can support a 110-pound, 5-foot-2-inch woman.

In terms of neck and shoulder pain, you want a chair that features an ergonomic headrest, in addition to multi-positioned lumbar support.

Remember, the human body is all connected. So a tight hip is going to pull on your hamstrings, which in return is going to pull on your lower back and so on and so on. So, a chair that is ergonomical all around is a necessity.

Build Quality

Build quality is certainly important when purchasing any office chair.

Think about how long you’ll be using this chair. If you work from home, it could be anywhere from six to 10 hours each day five days per week. That’s well over 1,500 hours of use each year. If you buy cheap junk, it’s not going to last.

So, what should you look for in terms of build quality? Here are some suggestions:

• Metal support. There are certainly office chairs made completely of high quality plastics that can last, but nothing is as tough as metal. Find a chair with at least a metal base so that can handle day-after-day use.
• Made in the U.S. You can find a quality office chair that’s mass produced overseas, but it’s not going to feature the same quality as an American-made chair. Of course, those American-made chairs, like those by Herman Miller, are going to be significantly more expensive.
• Quality mesh. Many office chairs feature mesh because it’s supportive and breathable. Make sure the mesh is taught and not fraying. Higher quality chairs feature top of the line mesh.

This isn’t always the case, but the higher quality bikes tend to come with longer warranties because the craftsmanship is so high in the first place.

Back Support

A chair with good back support is also going to help with your neck and shoulders. Why is that? Because if your chair is letting you slouch, you’re not going to be looking at your computer screen and typing in the best possible position.

Your first order of business is finding a chair with adjustable lumbar support. This is typically a slider that also protrudes in and out, allowing you to pinpoint the perfect amount of pressure to support your back. The best lumbar supports have adjustable heights, depth and firmness.

In addition to lumbar support, there’s also the backrest, which should tilt back at least 20 degrees. For those with bad back pain, you need a chair that can recline at least 135 degrees. If your chair can’t recline, you can’t stretch that lower back throughout the day. The backrest should be height adjustable.

Why is tilting so important? It allows your back to make “micro movements” throughout the day. The best office chairs allow you to lock in that recline position, which can be quite comforting for your back.

Headrest

An adjustable headrest — specifically something that can pivot — is extremely important if you need an office chair to help alleviate your neck and shoulder pain.

The headrest should adjust up and down, but also have the ability to pivot left and right. Not everyone’s neck pain is in the same spot, so having the ability to adjust left and right as well is a really helpful feature.

Not everyone needs a headrest, though. If you don’t suffer from neck pain, a headrest could actually be cumbersome for your back because it can restrict movement in the upper body. If you have neck pain, though, you’re definitely going to want a headrest.

Adjustability

Adjustability goes hand-in-hand with ergonomics. You need an office chair that can adjust at all points, from the backrest to even the front of the armrests if you want precise positioning for your wrists while typing. Remember, an ergonomic chair is a highly adjustable chair.

Most chairs on the market today adjust in all the right places: height, armrests, and back supports. More expensive models feature those more detailed adjustments, like 360-degree adjustable armrests.

These adjustments are typically located under the chair’s seat, but newer chairs are moving those knobs and adjusters to under the armrests for easier access.

Lumbar Support

The lower part of the spine naturally curves inward to create what is called the lordotic curve. A lumbar support fills in the gap between the backrest and the spine to prevent slouching, which can lead to a forward head posture over time.

Look for a chair with a good lumbar support, which can greatly help prevent postural problems that cause not just neck pain, but shoulder and back pain as well.

There are three types of lumbar support that can be found in office chairs:

• Fixed Lumbar Support: Typically found on lower end chairs, it cannot be adjusted to better fit the user.
• Adjustable Lumbar Support: For this type, the height, depth, or firmness of the lumbar support can be manually adjusted.
• Dynamic Lumbar Support: The best out of the three, it automatically adjusts its depth and firmness depending on your position.

A lumbar support depth of 0.6 to 2” is sufficient for most people. However, since women have a more pronounced lordotic curve, a better choice for them would be an office chair with a deeper lumbar support. If you’re on the tall side, a taller lumbar support is ideal.

Seat Comfort

You certainly don’t want to be sitting on anything too hard for an extended period of time. Thanks to chair technology (and our adaptation to those types of ergonomic chairs) our bodies aren’t accustomed to sitting hard surfaces. As a result, our muscles are going to get tired trying to support our full weight.

All of that being said, if a seat is too soft, you’re going to sink in and exhibit poor posture.

So, like Goldilocks ultimately found in the Three Little Bears, you need a chair that’s just right.

Memory foam is quite popular today because it’s firm enough to support you, but cushiony enough to prevent your muscles from wearing out from sitting on a hard surface all day.

Adjustable Armrests

When talking about neck pain prevention in the office, the armrests are probably one of the last things that you’ll think of. However, lack of arm support or poorly placed arms while working can lead to shoulder pain, which can then travel to the neck.

The proper arm position is such that the forearms are parallel to the desk surface, with the elbows assuming a 90 – 100 degree open angle. At this position your arms and shoulders are most relaxed.

To achieve this posture, look for office chairs with armrests that are at least 2D (height adjustable).

Robust Seat Height

Another feature that you’ll want in an office chair for neck pain is robust seat height control. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a seat height adjustment range of 15 to 22” works for most people. The reason for this as it relates to neck pain is the same as armrest height adjustment.

When your desk is too high, you move your shoulders up and raise your hands, wrists, and forearms to reach the right height. However, staying in this position for too long will strain your neck muscles and eventually cause headaches as the suboccipital muscles at the bottom of your skull get fatigued.

On the other hand, when your desk is too low, your neck and upper body flexes forward, shortening your suboccipital muscles and causing headaches, neck pain, and muscle spasm.

Price

You should determine your budget before shopping for a chair. This will help you weed out chairs that are too cheap and too expensive.

A general rule of thumb is that you’re likely going to pay over $300 minimum for a new office chair designed to help with back and neck pain. If that’s too rich for you, you’ll need to save or find other ways to pay for the chair, like asking your work for a stipend if they’ve required you to work from home.

While higher-priced chairs tend to be higher quality, price is not always an indicator of quality. In fact, there are several office chairs priced in the lower range of the spectrum that are built very nicely and are true hidden gems.

If you want to save money on your chair, look for coupons online and bargain with a shop in person.

How does an office chair work when you have shoulder pain?

If you already have an injury or source of discomfort that is causing shoulder pain, you should follow guidance on ergonomic set-up even more carefully than usual to ensure your workstation is adjusted to avoid further strain.

Use a quick checklist to ensure your workstation and position are optimal. When you can, sit actively, and avoid too much time in any one posture.

Even with a supportive and ergonomic chair, prolonged periods of sitting still could strain your body and make shoulder pain worse.

Simple stretches can be done at a desk, unless your doctor has advised resting your shoulder.

What are office chairs for shoulder pain?

If you have shoulder pain, you should choose your office chair carefully, and make sure you opt for an ergonomic model, to best support your body in comfort while working.

There are many different kinds of shoulder pain with multiple causes. Not every shoulder pain sufferer will sit well in the same chair and it’s worth considering a range of seat types and models.

If you’re not sure, look for an online seller with a quick and easy return policy which would allow you to send back an unsuitable chair without difficulty or additional cost.

It’s been fun for our team to carefully research and test the best office chairs for neck and shoulder pain. We know first-hand how awful it is to experience stiff necks and aching shoulders. Especially after sitting for long hours.

WRAP UP

Best Desk Chair for Shoulder Pain – Whether your shoulder pain is a long or short term issue, buying a highly ergonomic and adjustable chair is a great longer term investment which should continue to promote physical health and working comfort in the future, even if your shoulder pain clears up.

Talking about Americans, around 30% of American adults suffer from chronic neck, and out of this 30%, 70% of individuals suffer from neck pain due to bad sitting posture.

If you are among those who experience neck pain, and if it’s due to bad posture, we highly recommend you replace your current chair with something more comfortable and ergonomic.

If you are among those who still enjoy working on the bed, you must note that this enjoyment is temporary. You are putting a lot of pressure on your neck and your back. That’s the reason you are experiencing neck pain.

In this guide, we have picked some of the best office chairs that you can get at an affordable price tag, and they’ll be super effective in your neck pain.

You can pick any of these as per your pocket and preference. However, if you are experiencing extreme chronic pain, it is recommended to visit a medical expert.

DUOREST Chair

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Amazon.com

-10%

Hbada Chair

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NOUHAUS Ergo3D

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-6%

Steelcase Gesture Chair

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STAPLES Hyken

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Ergohuman Chair

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Amazon.com