10 Best Office Chairs for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a significant and widespread problem that affects roughly 6-9 million people in the United States. Many people get them during their late childhood and early teen years, and it’s an incurable condition. 

Scoliosis is a condition where a person has a spine with a sideways curvature instead of a normal S-shaped curve. People with Scoliosis are more likely to have chronic back problems and pain, which is why it’s crucial to select an office chair that is adjustable for lumbar and backrest support. In this article, we’ll cover the ten best office chairs for people with Scoliosis and a buyer’s guide on the features to look for. 

The Best Office Chairs for Scoliosis

• Herman Miller Aeron – Editor’s Choice
• Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair – Budget Pick
• Duramont Office Chair – Best Under $300
• WorkPro Quantum 9000 – Best Value
• Steelcase Series 1 – Best Under $500
• Steelcase Gesture – Best Under $1,000
• Secretlab Titan – Best for Gaming
• Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain
• Steelcase Leap – Best Fabric
• La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Leather Office Chair

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Herman Miller Aeron – Overall Best Office Chair for Scoliosis

Read our full Herman Miller Office Chairs Review & Buying Guide

The Herman Miller Aeron is an ideal choice for anyone who has Scoliosis. When it comes to reducing back pain, it’s best to have a chair to relieve the tension in your back and promote a healthy posture. The Aeron has their patented 8Z pellicle suspension backrest and seat that provides eight zones with varying levels of tension to relieve the pressure points in your back. 

This mesh material is not only breathable to allow airflow but also very flexible, which allows users to freely move around in their seats. Movement is a great way to prevent slouching and increase blood flow in your body. 

We also like that the Herman Miller Aeron has a wide range of tilt angles that you can choose from. This lets you change your posture based on your activity. For example, if you’re completely focused, you can tilt your chair slightly forward. Or, if you plan on taking a nap or relaxing, you can tilt backward. 

Another aspect of your posture is your shoulder and neck. A fully adjustable armrest lets you rest your arms, which removes the burden of having to hold it up or having it set awkwardly on your desk. Aeron’s armrest can be adjusted by height, depth, and angle to ensure you get your arms in the right position that feels most comfortable to you. 

Pros: 

• Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty 
• Mesh fabric keeps you cool and comfortable all-day 
• Adjustable seat angle and tilt allows users to lean forward or recline backward 
• Available in a few different sizes and colors 
• The lower back support can be adjusted according to your height and body shape 

Cons: 

• No available neck support 

Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Cheap Office Chair for Scoliosis

It’s quite rare to find a budget office chair with plenty of adjustable features and doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The School office chair is the ideal chair for people with Scoliosis that don’t want to spend a fortune. When testing this chair, we were very surprised to find that it had a very firm lumbar support that is height and depth adjustable. There’s a knob on the back, allowing users to customize their lumbar cushion to however they see fit. Depending on your preference and pressure point, you will want to adjust the lumbar support to where you need it the most. 

In addition, we also like that the Sihoo has a mixture of mesh and fabric upholstery. This office chair uses an extremely durable mesh material that is highly resistant to any wear or tear. Mesh material is also great for allowing air to flow through, which keeps you cool, especially on those warm weather days. 

In contrast to the mesh material, Sihoo uses a cotton fabric material for its seat cushion. It does have quite a thick seat cushion to relieve pressure in your hips, under your thighs, and buttocks. Reducing the workload in these areas helps to keep your spine in a neutral position, which promotes a healthy posture as well. 

Pros: 

• Very affordable price 
• Supports up to 350 pounds 
• It offers an adjustable headrest 
• The backrest can be adjusted in three angles suitable for work, rest, and relax
• Able to adjust lumbar pillow by height and depth 

Cons: 

• Show only provides a one-year warranty 

Duramont Office Chair – Best Office Chair for Scoliosis Under $300

For a person with Scoliosis, having a full backrest with headrest support is crucial. A healthy posture requires all of your body parts to align. A healthy posture alignment requires the head, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, spine, and ankles to line up. Proper alignment will put less stress on your spine, which reduces back pain. Unlike some office chairs, the Duramont has an adjustable headrest that can be adjusted by height and angle. This means you’ll be able to align your head with any posture or body position. 

We’re also very fond of their adjustable lumbar support. Many premium chairs have this feature, which is why we’re surprised an affordable chair such as Duramont includes this. The adjustable built-in lumbar system lets you adjust the cushion’s depth and height using a knob-based control. Perfectly positioning the cushion to your spine’s curvature allows you to better hold up your posture, preventing slouching. 

The Dumont also has excellent wheel casters to roll smoothly across all surfaces. The wheels are made of rubber to prevent damage on hardwood floors. In addition, it has three stop points for tilting angles which are 90, 100, and 120 degrees. You’ll also be able to adjust the tilt tension when reclining. This is important because, without it, heavier individuals will recline too far since more pressure is applied. 

Pros: 

• Mesh backrest keeps your back sweat-free 
• Supports up to 330 lbs 
• Memory foam cushion conforms to your body shape and relieves pressure
• Able to adjust lumbar support by both height and depth 
• The headrest can be adjusted by angle and height 

Cons: 

• Limited armrest adjustments

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $300

WorkPro Quantum 9000 – Best Value Office Chair for Scoliosis

Adjustments are a crucial part of reducing back pain and ensuring a healthy posture. The WorkPro Quantum 9000 has plenty of adjustment features to let you take control of the way you sit. We like how the chair has adjustable seat depth, a 3D armrest with the ability to pivot, a height-adjustable backrest, and a robust tilt mechanism. 

The adjustable seat depth is extremely helpful for people with long or short legs. A properly adjusted seat depth allows you to maintain good back support while distributing your weight across the entire seat cushion. When the weight is distributed, this alleviates some of the pressure on your knee joints and your pelvis area. 

Also, the Quantum 9000 has an adjustable backrest to cater to people of all sizes. This means you can get full back coverage even if you’re tall. However, unfortunately, its lumbar support area isn’t adjustable.

However, other ergonomic features, such as the waterfall seat design edge, help alleviate some pressure on your legs. This increases blood circulation to your lower limbs, which also helps you focus better while working. 

Pros: 

• Waterfall seat design increases circulation and takes the strain off your lower legs 
• Priced relatively low 
• Armrests have a gel filling inside, which reduces any aches in the forearm area 
• Mesh back allows ventilation to keep you cool 
• Synchro-tilt features keep you well balanced while you are leaning back 

Cons: 

• The lumbar support area can’t be adjusted 

Steelcase Series 1 – Best Office Chair for Scoliosis Under $500

The Steelcase Series 1 is an affordable option compared to the other top Steelcase chairs such as Leap and Gesture. Like the other Steelcase chairs, the Series 1 also offers their patented LiveBack technology, which flexes the backrest based on even the tiniest of movements. This ensures you’re fully supported even when you’re moving. For a person who has Scoliosis, this is extremely beneficial to the health of your spine and encourages movement while sitting. 

What really sets this Steel Case Series 1 apart is its 4D adjustable arms. The armrest can be adjusted by height, width, and depth. It can also pivot in and out by 40 degrees. Properly adjusted armrests give your arms and hands support while also alleviating the muscle tension in your neck and shoulders. 

There are plenty of features to optimize your position. The chair has a seat height, seat depth, lumbar, and reclines adjustments. With the lumbar support, users can adjust the height to ensure the cushion is fitting into the curvature of their spine. The backrest recline has three different comfort settings: an upright position, mid-way recline, and full-recline. 

We also like that the Series 1 comes with plenty of color options to choose from. There are nine colors, and most of them are vibrant color schemes. This chair brings a lively vibe to your office and lifts the mood of you and all the people in your office. 

Pros: 

• Available in 9 colors 
• The armrest is 4D adjustable for personalized arm comfort
• Offers LiveBack technology which flexes as you move for optimal support 
• Fairly thick seat cushion for all-day comfort 
• Supports up to 300 lbs 

Cons: 

• Unable to adjust the depth of lumbar  

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $500

Steelcase Gesture – Best Office Chair for Scoliosis Under $1,000

Sitting for long periods can be difficult for scoliosis sufferers. With the Steelcase Gesture, it has its 3D live-back technology, which is designed to mimic and flex the movements of your spine and body. This technology encourages you to take a more active sitting approach where you move while seated. 

One of the Gesture’s unique aspects is that it has air pockets underneath the seat foam to allow sufficient airflow to the person. No more having to worry about your getting too warm and being uncomfortable to sit on. In addition, the edge of the seat can bend around the perimeter, which can relieve the pressure points from under your thighs. 

We also like how the fabric is 100% polyester upholstery because it’s very soft and breathable, making it comfortable sitting for long hours. However, it also requires little maintenance because it’s stain-resistant and durable, preventing wear and tear. 

Pros: 

• Steelcase offers a 12-year warranty 
• The product comes fully assembled 
• The polyester fabric material is incredibly soft and breathable 
• 3D LiveBack technology mimics the movements of your body and spine 
• The seat cushion has built-in air pockets to reduce pressure for long term sitting

Cons: 

• Lumbar support isn’t adjustable 

Secretlab Titan – Best Gaming Chair for Scoliosis

For those who prefer a gaming-style chair, look no further than the Secretlab Titan. The Titan is one of the best all-around gaming chairs that look aesthetically appealing yet also provides plenty of ergonomic features to prevent any pain in your body. 

This chair uses a very high-density foam cushion to relieve pressure and distribute the pressure across the seat evenly. In addition, users can upgrade to have memory foam pillows while conforming to the shape of their body. These pillows have a layer of cooling gel to prevent your head or back from sweating. These pillows are used for additional lumbar support and neck support. 

However, the Titan does have its own built-in lumbar support system to help people who have Scoliosis. This chair has a knob located on the back of the chair, which allows you to adjust the height and depth of the lumbar. Some people prefer the cushion to protrude more, while others prefer less. 

One advantage of gaming chairs is that they typically have a deeper recline. The Titan has a generous recline of up to 165 degrees, which almost lets you lie completely flat. This deep recline allows you to take the strain off of your back and shoulders, especially for those who struggle to sit for a long time. 

Pros: 

• Available in Prime 2.0 PU leather or SoftWeave fabric upholstery 
• It comes in many unique color schemes 
• The lumbar support system can be adjusted in height and depth 
• Memory foam pillows hold to the shape of your body 
• Armrests are 4-D adjustable 

Cons: 

• Not ideal for shorter individuals; the Omega Series will be suited for short people. 

Check out our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs for Back Pain

Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain

The Herman Miller Embody is a futuristic chair that has plenty of adjustable features and is designed to help reduce back pain. When it comes to back pain, it usually comes from slouching and an exorbitant amount of pressure in one spot. The Embody aims to solve this problem with its curved backrest and pixelated fabric. These matrices of pixels react to your body’s micro-movements to provide ample support. In addition, it will distribute the weight and pressure of your body evenly throughout the backrest and seat. 

Slouching is another key contributing factor to disc problems and back pain. The Embody has a slim backrest, which better aligns with your spine. In addition, this narrow design allows you to twist and reach out, giving you more freedom to move around. 

The Embody has loads of adjustable features to help you find the perfect sitting position. Its backrest comes in four different preset angles down to 135 degrees. When there’s pressure applied to it, you’ll sit at 90 degrees, and minimal pressure will flex down to 100 degrees. In addition, you’ll also be able to adjust the height and depth of the seat. Adjusting these two areas ensures that you’ll be in an optimal position where you don’t have to slouch forward, causing strains in your body. 

Pros: 

• Narrow backrest to encourage a healthy posture 
• Very modern style for your office 
• Available in many colors 
• It comes in two different fabric upholstery style options 
• The seat and backrest will conform to your body’s movements 

Cons: 

• Not a lot of seat cushion
• Quite expensive 

Steelcase Leap – Best Fabric Office Chair for Scoliosis

For scoliosis sufferers, a standard neutral backrest won’t cut it. The Steelcase Leap has their signature Live back technology that flexes and mimics your movements and the overall curvature of your spine. This ensures stable support to the irregular sideways curvature of your spine and encourages freedom of movement while you are working. 

In addition, there’s a slider on the backrest allowing you to adjust the lumbar support up or down, depending on your needs. This is excellent if you have a specific area in your back that is quite tender and needs more support. 

We also like how there are plenty of adjustability features that lets you optimize your seating experience. Another way for you to reduce back pain with Scoliosis is to occasionally tilt your seat back. Tilting your seat back limits the pressure placed on your spine. The Steelcase Leap has a knob for you to adjust the tilting degree and tension. Also, users can adjust the firmness of the lumbar support. Some people will want a more firm lumbar cushion, while others want less. With the Leap, you can dial in these adjustments to exactly what feels most comfortable. 

Pros: 

• Steelcase offers a lifetime warranty on the Leap
• Live back Technology mimics and flexes a person’s body movements 
• The maximum weight capacity is 400 pounds 
• Polyester fabric is soft and very breathable to keep you cool 
• Lumbar support is height and depth adjustable 

Cons: 

• It comes at a high price tag 
• It doesn’t come with a headrest 

Check out our guide on the Best Fabric Upholstered Office Chairs

La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Leather Office Chair for Scoliosis

Although the La-Z-Boy Delano doesn’t quite have the adjustability features as some of the high-end office chairs, such as Herman Miller and Steelcase, it offers lots of padding to relieve the pressure from your muscles and joints. If you’re experiencing back pain and discomfort from Scoliosis, you may want to consider an office chair with memory foam. Delano uses memory foam cushioning which conforms to your body and reduces aches by providing pressure-point relief. 

This viscoelastic foam conforms to your specific curvature to your spine, meaning you’ll get sufficient lumbar support. Since the Delano uses multiple layers of foam, it is incredibly comfortable to sit on. Even the armrest has padding to lessen the pressure on your shoulders and neck. 

We like that the Delano has a very elegant and luxurious appeal to it. This executive office chair uses soft bonded leather with rich mahogany wood arms and base for a unique look. This classic look appeals to the interior design of any office. 

Pros: 

• The chair provides a sleek and aesthetic executive office appeal
• Supports up to 350 lbs 
• Memory foam cushioning reduces pressure and contours to your back 
• Made with extremely durable components 
• Lots of padding for comfortable sitting all day long 

Cons: 

• Limited armrests and neck support adjustments
• Leather is not very breathable 

Choosing the Best Office Chair Scoliosis – Buyer’s Guide

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Materials & Build Quality

There are so many components to an office chair, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of what it’s made up of. Affordable office chairs may have low-quality materials, which won’t last a long time. Some of the components and materials you may want to look out for are the casters, base, seat cushion, and upholstery. It’s good to look into the warranty that manufacturers provide since that’s a good sign of whether a chair has high-quality materials. The longer the warranty, the more likely the materials are durable since they are more confident about the longevity of their products. 

Ideally, we prefer rubber casters for hardwood floors because they don’t leave scratch marks. However, polyurethane casters may be more durable and have a better load capacity. We believe that either option works well. When it comes to the base, we recommend using durable materials such as aluminum, steel, wood, or durable hard nylon. Avoid chairs with any plastic base components. 

Seat cushion is one component that can wear down quickly. If the chair has a seat cushion, it should be made of high-density foam or memory foam. A 5-inch thick foam with a 1.8 density HR (high-resiliency) lasts about three to five years of optimal performance. Memory foams tend to be more durable and can last longer. 

For upholstery, we suggest finding durable materials such as leather, polyester, and microfiber. These materials are generally very strong and stain-resistant. They handle the wear and tear very well and won’t easily scratch or have abrasion. 

Posture Correction

There are many ways that an office chair can correct your posture. The most important part about posture is alignment in your different body parts, which includes your head, shoulders, hips, spine, knees, and ankles. The more your body is aligned, the less tension is placed on your body. 

Chair must-have adjustable features such as adjustments for seat depth, seat height, backrest height, recline, and armrests. In addition, having lumbar support is also critical to correcting posture. Lumbar support holds the gap or curvature in the lower part of your spine to keep your back upright. Without it, you’re more likely to slouch over, especially if you have Scoliosis. 

Back Support

Several factors make up the entire back support, which are the tilting component, lumbar support, and the backrest itself. It’s unrealistic for any person to sit in an upright position all day. Most people are advised to take a quick break every hour to prevent health problems from sitting all day long. One way to prevent back pain is to tilt and recline your chair to reduce the tension on your spine. The best type of tilting mechanism is the synchro-tilt or multi-function tilt mechanism. 

Basic tilting will tilt your entire back, lower body, and arms, making it difficult to remain parallel to the floor. With synchro titling, it tilts at a 2:1 ratio, where your feet are still planted on the floor as you tilt backward. This means that for every two degrees you lean back, the seat only rises 1 degree. As a result, it puts less pressure on your thighs and legs, and you’re able to stretch your torso and chest area. 

In addition, you want lumbar support that fills the gap or curvature in your spine. Without lumbar support, you’re likely to slouch over time. Being able to adjust the support means you can customize it to fit your exact spinal curve. 

Lastly, you want flexible back support. This means that the back redistributes the pressure evenly and can support your spine as it flexes. Your spine is constantly flexing and moving, meaning you need support. People with Scoliosis may find it difficult to sit still. These types of backrests will conform to your body shape and movement, so you’re always supported. 

Adjustability

There are plenty of adjustments a chair needs to have, such as seat height, backrest height, seat depth, armrest, tilt angle, tilt tension, and lumbar. Seat height and depth ensure that your feet are fully planted on the ground and that your back is placed fully on the backrest. In addition, you’re seated at a height where you are eye-level with your monitor to prevent any strains from leaning too far forward. 

The armrest’s adjustability helps to keep your arms from dangling or awkwardly positioned. The armrests play a pivotal role in reducing tension from your trapezoids, neck, and shoulders. A well-posited arm will prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and allow you to work more efficiently. We suggest a 4D armrest that allows you to pivot horizontally, by height, and by angle. 

You also want to be able to recline your backrest to reduce pressure on your spine and take a break every once in a while. Being able to tilt can support any activity you prefer, whether you’re working, relaxing, reading, or taking a nap. The tilt tension lets you adjust the pressure needed to recline. 

Lastly, the lumbar support should be height and depth adjustable. Every person’s spine and body are unique. Therefore the height of the support must match the curvature of your spine. In addition, some people prefer a more pronounced cushion, while others need less. Having that control allows you to optimize what feels most comfortable to you. 

Seat Comfort

There are a few features that can make a seat feel comfortable. First, it’s beneficial to have some seat cushion to lessen the compression on your spine, tailbone, and hips. It also increases circulation, which improves your ability to focus. Seat cushions also make it easier to develop a more natural posture. Ideally, you want to look for memory foam seat cushions or high-density foam cushions. And the thicker the cushion or, the more layers it has, the better. Some memory foams have cooling gels or air pockets to allow air to pass through. This prevents your seat from getting too warm and uncomfortable to sit on. 

Also, some chairs will have a waterfall seat edge design. This is where the seat slightly slopes downwards, which reduces the pressure on your limbs. 

Weight Capacity

Another factor to consider is the maximum weight capacity of a chair. If you’re on the heavier side (above 250 lbs), you may want to consider something heavy-duty. Chairs that aren’t designed for heavyweight can wear down over time. This may include the frame, chair cushion, fabric, etc. 

Many standard chairs only support up to 250 lbs. On the high-end, there are chairs such as the Steelcase Leap that have a 400 lb weight capacity. However, many of the chairs listed here range from 290 to 350 lbs of weight capacity. 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs for Heavy People

Price

When it comes to buying any office chair, you want to consider your budget. If you plan on sitting for long hours, it’s better to find a high-quality chair that is durable, ergonomic, and very comfortable to sit on. Otherwise, your chair could break down after a year or two or maybe lack the support you need, which can lead to back pain. 

Our list contains different price points so that you can choose the one that best fits your budget. On the low-end, the Sihoo and Duramont office chairs offer excellent adjustability and a mesh back to keep you comfortable. For a mid-price chair, you can consider ones such as Secretlab Titan, Steelcase Series One, and La-Z-Boy Delano. They all add a unique dimension that the low-priced chairs do not have, such as better build quality, more cushion, better back technology, etc. Lastly, we have premium models such as the Herman Miller Aeron, Embody, and Steelcase Leap. These models have extremely refined back support that automatically conforms to your every movement. For people with Scoliosis, these chairs have the best spine curvature adjustment to prevent back pain. 

Recap of the Best Office Chairs for Scoliosis

Best Office Chairs for Scoliosis	Award
Herman Miller Aeron	Editor’s Choice
Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair	Budget Pick
Duramont Office Chair	Best Under $300
WorkPro Quantum 9000	Best Value
Steelcase Series 1	Best Under $500
Steelcase Gesture	Best Under $1,000
Secretlab Titan	Best for Gaming
Herman Miller Embody	Best for Back Pain
Steelcase Leap	Best Fabric
La-Z-Boy Delano	Best Leather Office Chair

FAQs

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