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Hi , im generally looking for advice for chairs for my aunt's bad back.

Thought i would give it a try since most people probably work and sit down alot and might have some tips.
So a few questions i have atm:

1) Does those expensive back support chair really work?

2) Does rolling up a pillow / towel and place it on lower back work the same way?

Hmm thats all i can think of , thanks in advance!

Where would the chair be used. Just for relaxing at home, or is used to perform some other function other than just relaxation?

I ask because I have a LazyBoy Recliner that has saved my back many times. I all but destroyed my back when I was younger, and it gets so bad some days, I can't walk. Since I have purchased the recliner, I have many more good days than bad now. It offers perfect support of my whole body.

But if you need to use it like an office chair, then the recliner won't work.

Good luck.

I believe its for office / or at her home when she use computer. not for relaxing .

So far i read some articles it seems like...
It must have adjustable back support , to fit the lumbar curve.

hmm thats all i read

An ergonomically shaped chair with properly adjusted armrests works wonders.

I use my recliner as my computer chair. But I am very tall, so I can back it up while sitting in it no problem.

Problem with chairs is that what works for one person isn't always good for another. Best bet is to have them try a bunch and see what fits their body type the best. There are a lot of really good ergo add-ons for chairs that can be helpful. You might also look into getting something that will give the option of heat. That can really help loosen up those tight back muscles and give relief.

Like BrookM mentioned, good armrests are just as important as a shaped backrest.

Ice. Lots of ice help to numb and then soothe any pain, stiffness, discomfort. Also, it will be cold, so wrap it in a paper towel or something. It does wonders for my dad's arthritis.

My mother (who slipped a disc in her back a long time ago) used to use a 'lumber roll', which was a cylindrical cushion placed behind the lower back. She hasn't used it since we got our lazyboy-cum-sofa.

How old is your aunt? Does she have generalized back pain from poor posture or does she have a condition of the lower lumbar, lumbar or thoracic region of the spine?

Many of the doctors I have worked with in the past use those large balls they use in some aerobic classes for proper back posture.

Those with actual spinal injury, I'm unsure. I suppose a chair that supports the lower lumbar would help in that case, but I advise against a lazyboy chair or any kind of super soft armchair like that. It doesn't really help support the spine and only leads to further problems.

I have no idea how old she is , she just randomly asked me if i know where to buy chairs that are good for her back.

So here i am asking hehe . But i told her all the lumbar stuff etc etc you guys mentioned.

*edit she is 50 ish

Lunahound, what proportion of your day-to-day, 'difficult questions', would you say you put to Dakka? Do other forums get this as well? They're not inappropriately placed, it's more interesting than anything...

LunaHound wrote:
*edit she is 50 ish

If she is generally active and healthy, I'd say go for the exercise ball. If she has poor balance or any kind of condition related to frailty go with a chair that supports the lumbar and promotes good back posture. There are stores in most larger malls that might sell them, but for the life of me I can't come up with a name.

Funny thing is one of the people I know who sits on one of those balls at his office flipped over the back of it one day and hit his head on the table/chair thing he treats patients on, giving him a concussion.