9 Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia

Fighting against fibromyalgia symptoms can be extremely difficult, especially when you’re navigating through everyday activities such as standing, sitting, walking, lifting objects, and exercising. If you’re someone that experiences constant pain around your body, the last thing you want to do is sit in a chair for 8 hours a day. 

Maybe your neck and back are stiff, and it’s uncomfortable to sit up straight. Prolonged sitting only exacerbates the stiffness and may cause numbness in your arms and legs. As a result, you may struggle to concentrate or get any work done. 

That’s why it’s important to choose the proper ergonomic office chair designed to keep you comfortable and pain-free. In this article, we’ll discuss what fibromyalgia is, the best office chairs for this condition, and what features to look for before buying. 

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a health condition that causes widespread pain through the body, fatigue and sleep problems, and mental and emotional distress. 

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and typically hard to diagnose. However, if you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you can effectively manage your pain, especially when sitting down. 

One of the most common indicators of fibromyalgia is receiving tender points all along your body. In total, there are 18 tender points throughout the human body. People with fibromyalgia typically experience pain in the following areas:

• The back of their head
• Shoulders
• Upper back or trap muscle
• Knees 
• Lower back
• Hips

People living with fibromyalgia tend to be more sensitive to tension, stress, or pressure leading to more pain than usual. 

The Best Office Chairs for Fibromyalgia

• Herman Miller Aeron – Best Overall
• Staples Hyken – Budget Pick
• WorkPro Quantum 9000 – Best Value
• Duramont Office Chair – Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Steelcase Leap – Best for Arthritis
• Steelcase Gesture – Best for Hip Pain
• Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain
• La-Z-Boy Delano – Best for Big and Tall People
• Secretlab Titan – Best for Gaming

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Herman Miller Aeron – Overall Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia

Pain and stiffness along your back, neck, and hips are common symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sitting around for a long time only increases stiffness in your muscles. However, the Aeron makes it possible to easily change positions or move around in your seat while still feeling supported. 

The Aeron is best known for its 8Z pellicle mesh material, eight zones of varying tensions. Unlike most office chairs that use very rigid mesh materials, the Aeron uses a very flexible and forgiving mesh. This absorbs the pressure, which increases circulations and reduces pain. 

In addition, the Aeron has a forward tilt feature allowing users to position their chair forward. As a result, your hips open up, and the weight distribution shifts forward. This puts less stress on your hips and tailbone. If you want to take the load off your lower back, you can either adjust the lumbar support or recline the seatback. 

The Aeron offers their unique PostureFit SL, which is two individual lumbar pads that can be adjusted separately. It supports the base of your spine so that keeping a healthy posture becomes effortless. This also helps to keep your pelvis tilted slightly forward and chest open, taking the load off your back as well. 

Pros:

• 8Z Pellicle suspension is very forgiving and eliminates circulation restricting points, especially helpful for people with fibromyalgia 
• The Aeron comes fully assembled and provides a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty 
• Mesh fabric prevents humidity and heat buildup from keeping you cool 
• The tilt mechanism helps you seamlessly change positions and remain balanced
• Available in three sizes to fit people of all heights and body sizes 

Cons:

• People who want an affordable option may not like Aeron’s price tag

Staples Hyken – Best Cheap Office Chair for Fibromyalgia

Not everyone can afford the Aeron. Luckily, there are more affordable options that still can keep your body supported while working. The Staples Hyken offers plenty of adjustable features that help workers sit in an optimal position for productivity. You can adjust the seat height, armrest height, back angle, and tilt tension.

Also, the Hyken comes with a full mesh upholstery allowing air to circulate and keep you sweat-free. Feeling hot or sitting in a warm seat can cause discomfort and distract you from working. 

For fibromyalgia sufferers who have tenderness behind their head or neck, you may find the headrest quite helpful. Your neck can easily become stiff and cause a lot of pain. It can be adjusted by height and angle to support your neck and shoulders. In addition, you can comfortably nap on your office chair, knowing that your neck won’t be left in an awkward position. 

Pros:

• Very affordable ergonomic office chair 
• Includes an adjustable headrest to alleviate the tender points in the back of your head and neck for fibromyalgia sufferers 
• Waterfall seat edge increases circulation and helps with hip pain 
• Mesh upholstery keeps your entire body at a comfortable temperature 
• The Hyken offers plenty of adjustment options to configure the most optimal sitting position 

Cons:

• The armrest is only height adjustable 

Check out my guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $200

WorkPro Quantum 9000 – Best Value Office Chair for Fibromyalgia

For those who can’t afford the Aeron but want similar features or designs, the WorkPro Quantum 9000 is a great alternative. Considering the price point, it’s hard to find a chair with a better value. One of the big advantages of the Quantum 9000 is that it offers more adjustability than most chairs. For example, you can adjust the height for the backrest and also the seat depth. 

Oftentimes, the midback chair may not be suited for tall people because their back isn’t fully supported. However, the Quantum allows you to raise or lower the backrest height to ensure your entire back is supported. The seat depth adjustment ensures that your back is always against the backrest. It also accommodates people of different leg lengths. For tall people, they may find that laying on the backrest causes a cut-off in circulation under their thighs. In contrast, it could mean that their feet aren’t planted on the ground for short people. 

Some people with fibromyalgia suffer from joint and muscle pain, especially in their hips and knees. Proper seat depth helps distribute the weight evenly, which alleviates pressure in your hips and knee joints. Some people with fibromyalgia suffer from joint and muscle pain, especially in their hips and knees. 

Pros:

• Much cheaper than most ergonomic office chairs 
• It uses plenty of metal components for durability 
• Armrests are 3D adjustable to help with tender points like your elbows
• Adjustable seat depth ensures your back is always supported
• The mesh has a medium firmness 

Cons:

• Unable to rock the backrest back and forth when it’s locked into position 

Duramont Office Chair – Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain

The Duramont office chair provides a nice balance between comfort and ergonomics. The seat has a thick padded foam cushion that reduces the pressure on your buttocks and hips. In contrast, the backrest uses a mesh-back to allow ventilation and keep you cool at all times. 

For those with neck and shoulder pain, the Duramont is a great option. It comes with a padded headrest that is height and angle adjustable. This ensures your neck is fully supported at all times. Some fibromyalgia sufferers also report tenderness in their shoulders and upper back. The Duramont has a wide backrest near the top to support people with broader shoulders and has a tapered mid-section to align with your spine. 

In addition, it has an ergonomic built-in lumbar support with height and depth adjustability. The lumbar system is height adjustable so that it seamlessly fits into the curve of your spine. Its depth adjustability allows you to control how much the support pushes outward. Hence, sitting in a healthy posture requires little effort since your lower back is supported. 

Pros:

• Adjustable headrest alleviates pain and stress in your neck 
• Wide backrest design helps accommodate and provide full support to the upper back and shoulders 
• Breathable mesh backrest keeps your back sweat-free
• Lumbar support is depth and height-adjustable to promote a healthy posture 
• The chair uses a thick fabric seat cushion to reduce pressure in your buttocks, tailbone, and hips 

Cons:

• The Duramont also doesn’t offer a seat depth adjustability 

Check out my guide on the Best Office Chairs for Neck and Shoulder Pain

Steelcase Leap – Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia and Arthritis

The symptoms from arthritis and fibromyalgia are quite similar, except arthritis typically occurs in joints, while fibromyalgia is present around your entire body, mostly in muscle groups. For arthritis sufferers, the most common places affected are the spine, knees, feet, wrists, and hips. 

Moving around can drastically help eliminate the stiffness. The Steelcase Leap features their signature 3D LiveBack technology that mimics and flexes as your spin changes shape when you move throughout the day. This adaptive feature allows you to have constant movement and still feel supported. 

Also, the Leap has a passive seat edge to reduce the tension in your hips and the bottom of your thighs when sitting. Typically seats with a rigid and flat surface will cut off the circulation in that area, causing your leg to fall asleep or sometimes pain. With its fully adjustable seat depth and height, you’ll be able to keep your feet planted and your knees at a 90-degree angle to alleviate joint pain in your knees.

Pros:

• Armrests are 4D adjustable to help with arthritis in your wrist and elbows 
• Adjustable seat depth ensures your knees are at a 90-degree angle and helps with any pain or arthritis in the knees 
• Passive seat edge eliminates pressure on the bottom of your thighs to increase blood circulation 
• Includes a 3-layer fabric to obtain a combination of comfort and breathability 
• 3D LiveBack technology responds to the changing shapes of your spine as you move in your seat 

Cons:

• Some customers complain that the seat and backrest padding is too thin 

Check out my guide on the Best Office Chairs for Arthritis

Steelcase Gesture – Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia and Hip Pain

Sitting for too long, especially with a poor posture, can lead to hip pain. That’s because it can stretch out the tendons in your hips and cause tendinitis. The key to alleviating hip pain is sitting with a healthy posture, shifting the weight slightly forward, and moving around periodically to keep the hip flexors from shortening. 

The Steelcase Gesture uses their proprietary seat cushion, which has built-in air pockets in the foam and contour to your body. This alleviates the tension in your buttocks and hips. In addition, the seat edge bends, which relieves the pressure points under your thighs. 

In addition, the Leap has 360-degree armrests, which pivots in and out to accommodate people who use multiple tech devices while working. As a result, your wrists and elbows are supported and don’t bend awkwardly to work. 

The Leap also has four recline positions to allow users to rest or nap during their breaks. The deeper recline angles help to unload the pressure off the base of the spine and open up your hips to reduce hip pain. 

Pros:

• The seat edge is flexible and can bend downwards to open up hips and relieve pressure under your thighs 
• The seat cushion has air pockets that conform to the shape of your body to support your hips, buttocks, and tailbone 
• 3D LiveBack technology contours and flexes to every movement to ensure optimal support and posture 
• Armrests can be adjusted a full 360 degrees 
• The seat slider function allows you to adjust seat depth 

Cons:

• The Gesture lacks a back-height adjustment 

Check out my guide on the Best Office Chairs for Hip Pain

Herman Miller Embody – Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia and Back Pain

Back pain is a common issue among workers and people with fibromyalgia. The Herman Miller Embody was meticulously designed to mimic the human back, so it has flexible ribs and a central spine for support. 

Their most prominent feature is its BackFit adjustment, which allows you to adjust the backrest to align with the natural curve of your spine, thus achieving a healthy posture. Turning the BackFit dial increases or decreases the curve near the thoracic part to ensure you have the right amount of support. 

Most chairs simply use foam padding. However, the Embody has pixelated support, a suspended coil spring system that can twist and bend based on your muscle and spine movements. In addition, it helps to distribute the weight evenly to reduce discomfort and pressure. The seat itself has four layers to limit the tension and allow air to pass through. 

Most chairs don’t support a healthy posture once the chair reclines. However, the Embody has its synchro-tilt mechanism, automatically raising the seat angle as the backrest reclines. This keeps your posture aligned and prevents back pain. 

Pros:

• Backfit adjustment aligns with your spine to ensure optimal posture and reduce back pain 
• Tilt tension allows you to recline while feeling fully supported and balanced
• Offers built-in lumbar support to alleviate lower back pain 
• Pixelated support flexes and bends based on your micromovements and eliminates any pressure buildup
• Four layers of fabric provide a combination of breathability and comfort 

Cons:

• Armrests can’t be adjusted forward and backward 

La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Big and Tall Office Chair for Fibromyalgia

If you’re a big and tall person, it’s difficult to find an ergonomic office chair to suit your needs. The selection for big and tall chairs is quite sparse. However, the La-Z-Boy Delano is specifically designed for taller and heftier people. It has bigger dimensions across the board: taller seat height and backrest, wider and deeper seat to accommodate bigger individuals. Also, the Delano has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. It’s constructed with sturdy components that have surpassed the BIFMA testing standards for quality control and durability. 

When it comes to heavier people, more cushion is required to lessen the pressure and distribute the weight evenly. Otherwise, anyone with excessive pressure can cause excessive pain and stiffness. The Delano uses their signature ComfortCore technology, multiple layers of memory foam padding throughout the entire chair. These memory foam cushions contour and comfort your body shape, and alleviates the tension in your body. 

In addition, the Delano uses soft bonded leather along with a rich mahogany wood base and aims to provide a luxurious and elegant look to your office space. Not to mention, leather is easy to maintain because it’s water-resistant. 

Pros:

• Supports up to 350 pounds 
• Seat dimensions are much larger compared to most office chairs 
• ComfortCore features multiple layers of memory foam that contours to your body 
• The luxurious bonded leather adds style to any office space
• Delano has fully adjustable tilt, recline, and height settings 

Cons:

• Delano uses leather upholstery, which may cause heat buildup

Check out my guide on the Best Big and Tall Office Chairs

Secretlab Titan – Best Gaming Chair for Fibromyalgia

Gaming chairs have stylish designs, but many of them lack the ergonomic capabilities that office chairs have. The Secretlab Titan is different. Although they have partnered with many games, e-Sports teams, and other pop-culture brands to many available designs for their chair, they offer much more than just aesthetics. 

The Titan uses their patent-pending cold-cure foam mix that is highly dense and is four times stronger than standard foam cushions. Its foam cushion means less compression on your spine, hips, and tailbone. These are common pain points for people with fibromyalgia; hence a thicker cushion will relieve pain. 

The lower back is usually the most compromised part of your spine. Without proper lower back support, most people tend to hunch over. The Titan has built-in lumbar support with a two-way knob control for adjustments. You can adjust by both depth and height to reduce the pressure on your lower back. 

Also, it has 4D adjustable armrests to take the load off your shoulders and neck. Also, the wrists and elbows are prime locations for joint pain. These are also common areas for fibromyalgia sufferers. Keeping them supported and in an optimal position for typing on your keyboard allows you to work more efficiently. 

Pros:

• Available in many colors and design schemes
• Armrests are 4D adjustable to relieve any tenderness in wrists and elbows 
• Highly dense foam seat cushion supports your hips and buttocks well 
• Available memory foam pillows to help with neck and lower back pain 
• Built-in lumbar support is height and depth adjustable 

Cons:

• Not suited for short people 

Choosing the Best Office Chair for Fibromyalgia – Buyer’s Guide 

When buying an office chair, it’s important to do your research and figure out what factors are most important. 

Build Quality

The build quality will determine the lifespan of your office chair. Brands such as Herman Miller and Steelcase offer an impressive 12-year manufacturer’s warranty largely due to their confidence in product build. You’ll want to avoid chairs with a lot of plastic components. For example, plastic armrests or gas lifts can be problematic and break down quickly. The most sturdy chair frames and bases are made out of steel, aluminum, or wood. Try to stray away from any other types of materials in these areas. 

Another aspect to look for is the upholstery. For example, bonded leather and genuine leather are typically more durable than PU leather. PU leather may be prone to scratches and tears. Also, fabric materials may be susceptible to spills. Avoid lower-quality fabric such as polyester. However, vinyl and mesh are the strongest fabrics for office chairs. 

Ergonomics

Fibromyalgia can cause discomfort while sitting, which is why an office Chair designed for ergonomics is essential. The ergonomics of an office chair can be a culmination of adjustability, support and comfort, and adaptability. 

The higher-end chairs tend to be the most adaptable and supportive. For example, the Steelcase Leap and Gesture provide a 3D LiveBack technology, which twists and bends to adapt to any micro-movements—moving your body while sitting is great for getting the blood flowing in your body and alleviating the pressure placed in one area. As a result, it can reduce pain, especially for people with fibromyalgia. 

Another example of ergonomic design is the BackFit adjustment by the Herman Miller Embody. It can be adjusted to align with the curve of your spine. The curved support can be decreased or increased based on your preferences. 

Any feature that is designed to promote good posture and reduce discomfort is considered ergonomic. The best chairs look to enhance the sitting experience rather than simply adding more padding or using cheap quality materials to lower the price. 

Back Support

The poor back support can lead to back pain but also affect other areas of your body as well. Your chair’s back support should be adjustable and adaptable.

First, the backrest should be designed to support the lumbar region. The lower back is the most compromised part because it has to shoulder the biggest load. Lumbar support keeps your lower back supported, which allows you to keep an upright posture effortlessly. The lumbar support should be height and depth adjustable. This ensures that it fits into the natural curve of your spine, and the right amount of support can be given based on your needs.

Higher-end chairs will be able to adapt to the changing movements in your spine. Your spine is flexible and will change shapes when moving. It’s important to align to keep your spine aligned at all times. Some backrests can flex and bend to encourage movement. 

Adjusting the back angle helps your muscles relax when sitting upright isn’t needed. It also shifts the weight off of your lower back to reduce back pain. 

Adjustability

Everyone has a unique body size, which is why adjustability is important. Adjustable features allow you to sit in a healthy posture no matter your height and unique body composition. The most common adjustable features to look out for are: seat height, seat depth, back angle, tilt-tension, synchro-tilt, armrest, lumbar support, and headrest. 

The seat height adjusts to ensure your feet are planted on the ground and your head is leveled with your monitor screen. With the seat depth adjustability, it slides the seat pan forward or backward to ensure your back is rested against the backrest. The armrest adjustability keeps your arms parallel to the desk height to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and elbow pain. The backrest angle, synchro-tilt, and lumbar support all work in tandem to ensure back comfort and good posture. A headrest should be adjustable to fit your neck and keep it supported while sitting. 

Seat Comfort

An ergonomic and comfortable seat makes it easier to sit with a healthy posture, reducing the pain you feel from fibromyalgia. Sitting on a hard surface will only place a lot of pressure on your joints and muscles. Ideally, you’ll want a highly dense foam cushion that reduces the pressure and lessens the compression on your spine, tailbone, and hips. 

Office chairs may achieve this goal through various means. For example, the La-Z-Boy Delano uses multiple layers of memory foam, which have properties that contour to your body shape. As a result, it’ll provide pain relief in your tailbone and hips. 

However, mesh materials without a seat cushion can still achieve the desired result. The Herman Miller Aeron uses their proprietary mesh suspension material, which has a medium firmness to it. It is extremely forgiving, especially at points of contact, to absorb the pressure allowing you to be pain-free while sitting. 

Weight Capacity

Most standard office chairs can support up to 250 pounds, which can accommodate most workers. However, if you weigh over 250 pounds, you may want to check the weight capacity of your desired office chair. Typically, the durability of the chairs will determine the weight limit. For example, the Steelcase Lap uses an aluminum base that supports up to 400 pounds. The La-Z-Boy Delano is a chair with larger specifications that support up to 350 pounds. 

Price

Not everyone can afford to buy the most high-end office chairs. That shouldn’t mean you still can’t buy something that makes you feel comfortable and supports your body’s needs. Our list of ergonomic office chairs varies in all price ranges. For those on a budget, we recommend the Staples Hyken chair, Duramont office chair, or WorkPro Quantum 9000. These chairs offer excellent adjustability to ensure you’re always supported and in a healthy posture. 

We like the Secretlab Titan and La-Z-Boy Delano for mid-tier options because they offer plenty of cushions to alleviate pain and keep you comfortable for long hours. If you want the best office chairs in the market, look no further than the Steelcase and Herman Miller office chairs. Each model offers proprietary technology and features that are unique to its brand. For example, the Aeron uses their 8Z pellicle mesh, an elastomeric suspension, which is more forgiving than most mesh chairs. Ideally, you want to invest in a high-quality chair that will last you many years to come. 

Recap of the Best Office Chairs for Fibromyalgia

Best Office Chairs for Fibromyalgia	Award
Herman Miller Aeron	Editor’s Pick
Staples Hyken	Budget Pick
WorkPro Quantum 9000	Best Value
Duramont Office Chair	Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain
Steelcase Leap	Best for Arthritis
Steelcase Gesture	Best for Hip Pain
Herman Miller Embody	Best for Back Pain
La-Z-Boy Delano	Best for Big and Tall People
Secretlab Titan	Best for Gaming

Conclusion

Depending on the chair you use, you may notice that it can affect your symptoms. Whether you work in an office setting or not, most people spend at least a few hours per day sitting. An ergonomic office chair can help alleviate some of the pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. We’ve hoped you found our review insightful and has helped you in your quest to find a comfortable and supportive office chair.