If you’re sitting at your desk day in, day out and find your lower back aching, you’re not alone. Lower back pain is actually one of the most common issues for office/desk workers, often made much worse by poorly designed and uncomfortable chairs that provide little to no support that your body needs.
According to Virtue Health, around 82% of all workers spend the majority of their working day seated. And for the average desk worker, this is often 8 hours or sometimes more. Out of these people, a whopping 65% of them develop musculoskeletal (MSK) issues like back pain. That’s nearly ¾ of all desk workers!
Luckily, 2024 has brought an array of ergonomic advancements and this will only improve as we head into 2025, making it easier than ever to find the perfect desk chair to alleviate your back discomfort.
In this blog, we’ll explore exactly why sitting causes lower back pain, ways you can alleviate this while at work, and provide you with a list of some of the best desk chairs in 2025 for a bad lower back.
First things first…
Does Sitting Cause Bad Lower Back Pain?
The simple answer is yes - sitting for long periods of time can cause or worsen lower back pain for some people, especially if they have bad posture while seated. For example, if you’re sitting in a slouched or hunched over position all day, this can put strain on the discs, which are the fluid-filled cushions that protect the vertebrae from rubbing together.
Staying sat down for hours also reduces blood flow to the lower back and can cause stiffness in muscles, making the area much more prone to aches and pains. Did you know that long periods of sitting can also weaken your core muscles? This also has an impact on a bad lower back as core muscles support your spine, leaving your lower back to bear the brunt.
So, while actually sitting itself isn’t directly harmful, it’s the way and duration of sitting that will often be what leads to back pain.
How to Help Back Pain at Work
As touched on earlier in this blog, back pain is an incredibly common problem among adults, with more than 1 in 4 working adults reporting current back pain.
But thankfully, there are a number of simple yet effective ways to help reduce back pain and improve your overall comfort and posture while at work.
Help improve your back pain at work by:
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Practicing good posture - Posture is incredibly important when it comes to preventing back pain while sitting. Sit with your feet flat on the floor, knees at a 90-degree angle, and your back resting against the chair. As touched on earlier, try to avoid slouching and keep your monitor at eye level to reduce strain.
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Using a lumbar support cushion - If your desk chair lacks proper lumbar support, a small cushion or specially designed lumbar roll can help maintain the natural curve of your lower back. This brings us nicely onto the third tip…
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Upgrading to an ergonomic desk chair - Ergonomic chairs are specially designed to provide maximum comfort and support to the lower back with their integrated lower back (lumbar) support. Learn more about what to look for in an office chair here.
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Taking enough breaks to move around - This tip is one that many people forget to do during the work day! Sitting for hours without a break can tighten your muscles and compress your spine, so set a timer to remind yourself to stand, stretch, or even take a short walk every half hour to an hour.
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Adjust your desk set up - It’s all well and good having ergonomic furniture like standing desks, ergonomic chairs and monitors, but if they’re not set up properly with your body, they’re pointless. So, ensure your desk and chair setup follow ergonomic guidelines, e.g. your monitor should be at eye level, your keyboard at elbow height, and your mouse within easy reach.
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Wear supportive footwear - Many people are surprised to learn that uncomfortable or unsupportive shoes can in fact affect your posture and lead to back pain. We recommend opting for footwear with proper arch support or use an anti-fatigue mat if you stand often.
The Best Desk Chairs for a Bad Lower Back in 2025
Finding the right desk chair when you have a bad lower back can be a real game-changer in your day-to-day work life.
But with so many on the market, it can pose quite a challenge deciding which is best for you. Luckily, we’re here to help narrow down your options and take the guesswork out of it.
Here are the 4 best desk chairs for a bad lower back in 2025:
1. Grace Adjustable Office Chair
The Grace Adjustable Office Chair boasts extraordinary comfort and support in a timeless design and affordable price point.
It features multiple adjustments and features to suit a wide range of workspace environments, promoting an active working style in a modern and healthy office.
Some of its key features include:
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An easy-to-use mechanism, ensuring simple navigation around the chair
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A fully synchronised seat and back angle
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A sliding seat depth adjustment
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Adjustable active tension control
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Height adjustable lumbar support
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Adjustable active tension control
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Height adjustable lumbar support
The Grace chair comes with an impressive 7 year warranty.
2. Viasit Kickster Office Task Chair
Next up we have the Viasit Kickster Office Task Chair, a comfortable ergonomic chair ideal for home office and commercial office use.
It has a polypropylene seat chassis and the seat base itself is constructed from high quality moulded polyurethane foam. Sporting a black mesh back the Kickster also has a plastic star base with multifunctional load-controlled twin castors for hard and soft floors.
The Viasit Kickster comes complete with a comprehensive 5-year guarantee.
3. Viasit Toleo Mesh-Back Ergonomic Chair
Proud winners of a gold German Design Award, the Viasit Toleo Mesh-Back Ergonomic Chair is the ideal office chair.
The clever lateral support and unique torsional movement of the Toleo encourages ‘mobile sitting’ without any additional springs, joints, bells or whistles. So as you move, your chair moves with you, supporting every posture, not just a few.
More benefits include:
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Full synchromatic mechanism with free flow recline and 4-position lock
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Integrated forward tilt
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Safety gas lift
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Sliding seat depth adjustment of 100 mm
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Torsion movement for improved dynamic 3D (dynamic) sitting
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Mobility handle for easy movement of chair
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Quality G3 seat pad (+ headrest)
The Viasit Toleo upholstered chair has a comprehensive 5-year guarantee.
4. Viasit Creation Ergonomic Zero-Carbon Task Office Chair
Lastly, the Viasit Creation is a 100% climate-neutral workplace chair.
If you like the idea of the cooling comfort of a mesh-back office chair, but you also want the stability and support of a solid back chair, this one is for you.
Key features include:
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Point synchromatic mechanism with free flow recline and 4-position lock
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8 position backrest height adjustment
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Seat shell and armrests available in black or telegrey
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Safety gas lift
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Sliding seat depth (10 positions) and forward tilt adjustment
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Moulded polyurethane foam upholstery
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100% post-consumer recycled polyester seat fabric applied without adhesive
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Elastic breathable mesh backrest
The Viasit Drumback Creation chair has a comprehensive 5-year guarantee.
At Friska Desk, we offer same day despatch on a 24-hour service to mainland UK (excluding Highlands) for all orders received by 2pm. Need additional help? Get in contact with our expert team via form, phone or our live chat feature with any queries - they'll be happy to help.
Looking for a standing desk or more accessories for your home, office or workspace? Check out our full collection of standing desks and accessories. Our desks come with a price guarantee, next day delivery, a 10 year warranty period and call-out support.