It does not matter whether you work from home or in an office having the right chair is extremely important if you want to avoid any kind of back problems in the future. Unfortunately for those of us who spend a large part of our day sat at a desk we are placing additional pressure and strain on to our spines and with the wrong kind of office chair this problem can be further exacerbated. Today there are now ergonomic office chairs available which not only support the spine especially the lower back but also help a person to remain a good posture position.

In this article we will take a look at some of the features you should be looking for if considering purchasing an ergonomic chair. As you will soon discover there are lots of different ones available but unfortunately not all are necessarily as good as the manufacturer or the salesman makes them out to be. Now let us take a look at what you should be looking for in the main features of your ergonomic chair.

1. Height of the Chair Seat - Any good quality office chair should allow you to be able to adjust the height of the seat to one that you feel comfortable with. Once the height has been adjusted you should then be able to place your feet flat on the floor in front of you but your arms should be at a height where they are level with the desk top.

2. Seat Width and Depth - A good quality office chair whether ergonomic or not should have a seat that is 17 to 20 inches wide. Any more or less than this and often the person will find such a chair very uncomfortable to sit on. As for the depth of the chair this again should help to place you in a position which results with a gap of between 2 and 4 inches being present behind a person's knees and the front of the seat.

3. Lower Back Support - A good ergonomic office chair should provide adequate support to this part of the body and should also allow you to adjust the height and depth of the lumbar rest on it. You need a lumbar rest that will ensure that sufficient amounts of support is provided to the lower part of the back where it begins to curve in.

4. The Backrest - This part of the chair should be around 12 to 19 inches wide and provide support for the upper part of the back and spine. There are two types of backrest those which are fully integrated with the seat or those that are separate from it. But with both kinds of backrests a good quality office chair whether it is ergonomic form or not should have levers which allow you to adjust the height and also the angle at which it leans. Once you have chosen a comfortable position for you when sat in the chair these levers should ensure that the mechanism locks the chair into the required one.

5. Armrest - A good quality office chair should provide you with armrests that help to support not just your arms but your shoulders as well. Look for a chair that allows you to easily rest the lower part of your arm and elbows on it, but whilst you are typing the forearms should not be in contact with it. If you can choose one that allows you to alter the height of the armrests so that you can place them in the correct position and one which you feel comfortable with.

When it comes to buying an ergonomic office chair if you keep the points we have mentioned above in mind you should soon be able to find one that suits you perfectly. Although you can get them much cheaper online it may be advisable to go to your local office supplier first and try out a few they have before you actually spend your hard earned money. A good ergonomic office chair is a very sound investment as it will ensure that you back is well supported and you maintain the right kind of posture whilst sat at your desk.