Office chair / back support - any recommendations!

[MrsCLH]

Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone had found a particularly good office chair or back support or any other clever thing to help with backache? I have tried all the chairs in the office, also getting up and walking round for a bit every hour but no matter what I do my back really hurts, sometimes its unbearable by late afternoon.

Work have offered to pay for whatever I need but not sure where to start - any recommendations?

I'll let you know - I'm currently having the same problem, and have a mesh back support on order (a curved one that straps to the back of the chair). I'm tempted just to bring my gym ball in though, and sit on that, however odd it may look

Hope you find something, its grim isn't it?

I had a workstation risk assessment where a physio came in and setup my chair, which was great! The best thing she did though was to set it so the back isn't fixed - i.e. it kind of rocks a bit and reclines when I sit back. The tension on it is quite high, so it doesn't go flying back or anything, but it just allows you to find a natural comfy position. It's made it 100 times more comfortable!

Oh do I ever empathise with the gruelling backache you get with pregnancy and a desk job. I basically had a V-support pillow from about week 16 when pregnant with my DS. It didn't fix it - just enabled me to struggle on. I also had a risk assessment and got a new chair, but I think the main problem is the fact that, even with breaks, you need to get out of being in the same position all day long and that's really hard in that type of job because you keep having to go back to it. Interestingly enough, I get the same backache at home very quickly when sitting at a computer, but have coped much better this time around, because I don't have to sit there for 8 hours at a time. I tried a TENS machine, which was helpful until my mw shouted at me for the fact that it could induce premature labour! I beg to differ, but wouldn't want to give lousy advice!

By far, the best thing I have found are Thera-flex/ Physio Med gel packs. Get on ebay and check them out. They are about a fiver. You can either freeze them and use them as a cool pack for the base of your spine, or (probably more effectively) heat them in the microwave for 2 minutes, wrap them in a teatowel and press against the small of your back while you're working. They retain the heat for ages and make the ache much more bearable. Obviously this is no good unless you have access to a microwave at work, but they are reusable and have been a bit of a godsend for me. Just ensure you don't heat them for longer than 2 minutes, or they tend to explode!!!

Hello
I'm suffering too and have been advised to sit on a yoga/pilates block and put my feet on one of those wobble boards - can't remember what they're really called but those half gym balls with a plastic top to stand on. Doing this relieves pressure on the spine.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all these ideas, really helpful. Apparently work have already ordered me a foot rest and a mesh back support so will see what those are like. It is indeed grim!

I'm the same at home too, can't get comfy at all, best position is besically bolt upright with a big cushion at my back. My mum has just said she's bought me one of those V cushions so worth a try now she's got it I guess.

I am just happiest when I can finally get into bed at the end of the day :) I'm only 22 weeks at the moment though so not at the stage where even that is uncomfortable just yet!!

i could have written that post OP....I'm 32 weeks and suffering the same, its miserable. I've found sitting on a wedge cushion is helping...my sis bought me one to rest my bump on at night but I found that hurt my back ironically! Much better to sit on it....think it seems to push my pelvis forward a bit so i sit with a straighter back. Frequent breaks are a must too, embrace the need to visit the ladies every 5 mins!

Its kind of ironic too that as soon as I stand up to relieve the pain, someone will ask if i want to sit down......NO! its agony!