Choose a reading chair that’s good for your back

With today’s attention to ergonomic work stations, most of us know the importance of a proper desk chair. But when furnishing our living rooms, we’re more likely to focus on cushiness and style than on how a chair affects our bodies.

An episode of low-back distress has made me think about whether the reading chair in which I sit for hours every day might be contributing to the problem. It is Ikea’s iconic Poäng Chair, for which I recall paying less than $100 at least 15 years ago. Since millions of Poäng Chairs have been sold over four decades, you may have seen one in somebody’s home. It has a curved bentwood frame, a tall back, arms, and a removable fabric or leather cushion with a headrest.

I suspected that a chair that can provide enough support for a bad back ought to cost more than $100. Before shopping, I needed to research what to look for in an ergonomic reading chair. Here’s what I learned from various medical websites.

• The chair ideally should conform to the spine’s natural curve and provide support without gaps. A cushion or a rolled-up towel may be needed for lower-back support in a chair with a straight back.

• You should be able to sit with your buttocks and hips against the back of the chair, your knees just past the edge of the seat, and your feet flat on the floor. It’s best not to cross your legs, which can tilt the pelvis and cause misalignment, muscle tightness, and pain. Tall people may need a deep seat. Footrests are okay as long as you maintain upright posture and don’t slouch. 

• A tall back with a headrest helps to keep the head aligned above the spine. You should read with your head against the headrest, not looking down at your lap. Ergo, you should not use your laptop on your lap, despite its name. 

• Armrests allow you to rest your elbows while holding a book or magazine. The armrests are the right height if you can rest your elbows without lifting your shoulders. 

• The chair should be neither too soft nor too firm. A too-soft chair causes the muscles in the spine to contract to keep you upright. A too-hard chair puts strain on the bones, nerves, and muscles. 

Surprise: the Poäng Chair meets all of the requirements. It curvilinear shape follows the body’s contours. Its high back has a headrest. Its cushion is solid, not squishy. It has armrests. I’ve always found it comfortable. I won’t be shopping for a new chair.

But that doesn’t mean I can dismiss the time I spend in the chair as a culprit in my back problems. My research told me that it’s not the chair but my behavior that needs changing.

I need to get up more often. Ergonomic experts recommend standing up for a few minutes at least every half-hour.

My laptop should be returned to the desk. I’ve gotten into the bad habit of doing 

my online reading with the laptop on my lap.

I should stop crossing my legs. Maybe a footstool would help me break the habit. 

No chair will compensate for bad habits. Now that I’ve evaluated my sitting behavior, I should think about how I stand, lift, carry, bend, and sleep, too.