I recently moved and was in the market to buy a new desk/chair set for my home office so I started my search online for the perfect setup.  I quickly found the desk I wanted, but to be honest, I had more trouble deciding on a chair.  There are about a bezillion desk chairs available and they range from $20 all the way up into the low thousands (I kid you not). But it got me wondering whether chairs that are so-called ‘designed to be ergonomic’ are overrated or worth the extra cash.

So I did some research. I read a bunch of articles online, I talked to my chiropractor as well as my doctor, and I even casually brought it up with some friends to get their opinions.

It turns out that while ergonomic chairs may not differ in quality so much that you should pay thousands more for one over another, there is a big difference between chairs that are ergonomic and those that aren’t.  When people have to sit for long periods of time (either at work, or on an airplane, etc). the position of sitting actually increases pressure on the shock absorbers in our spines called intervertebral discs. This not only causes back pain, but the gravity and lack of movement cause blood to pool in the legs and feet.  My doctor even told me that people taking certain medications that increase the risk of blood clots (like women on birth control pills) should get up and walk around about once an hour on long flights to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs.

Over an extended period of time, sitting in chairs that are not designed to support the back, legs, and hips can cause chronic pain.  So I guess the few extra bucks to avoid back pain is worth it.