Lately I've been pondering my on-going problem of finding a chair with sufficient back support. Currently, I don't have one. I've been half reclining on the couch; when that starts to become uncomfortable, I lay down flat or retreat to the bed.

I am not satisfied with this. Therefore, I've been trying out some lay-z-boy chairs. Most of those within an acceptable price range have next-to-zero lower back support. Nor did the pricier ones. I refuse to buy something when it doesn't meet my basic requirements.

I went to the grocery store briefly just before noon today. The store is right across from another which has some chairs in its inventory so I decided on a brief foray to look at what's on offer. As expected just from looking at them, the first 3 chairs I tried were no good for me. I walked farther along the display floor and found one more tucked in among the couches. The price was acceptable so I decided to give it a whirl.

It didn't look as poofy as the others. In fact, it looked bare-bones plain - not quite ugly - compared to the others. I didn't have any high hopes but decided to try it anyway, just to be thorough. I sat down and to my surprise, it actually was firm where I needed it - just. It was also wide enough; my arms did not feel uncomfortably pressed up to my sides while sitting, even when I placed my arms by my sides INSIDE the armrests (which is what I prefer to do when using my laptop). It did not make my arms go numb. Interesting!

This means that the chair is a bit wider than the one currently sitting in our living room (taking up space, but unused now unless company overflows the couch). I'm pretty sure the laz-y-boy would fit in our livingroom. And it comes with a built-in footrest. I tried it with the footrest out - my third test. The support was still there! That means that the chair actually passed all three requirements. Amazing!

So I am still thinking about it.

It's not an attractive chair. But right now, that is a paltry consideration. I need a chair I can sit in that won't exascerbate my lower back pain. I think maybe I've found it. But I need to go sit in it again to be sure. When I do, I plan to sit there for a few minutes and just see how my back responds. That will be the true test.

(There's one more store I want to try out. The store boasts that back comfort is what they concentrate on. We'll see!)

I also sat in a desk chair, just for the hey of it. It was a pleasure. :) It had exaggerated contours that emphasized the lower back support it offered. I sat on it and it automatically half reclined. Niiice! It was really comfortable! If I was looking for a deskchair, it would have been my choice, hands-down (preferably without the armrests). (The chair was narrow with those skinny wood rail armrests - not easy to comfortably rest one's arms inside the armrests - after a few minutes the rails press in, and eventually impair the blood flow to my lower arms - no good for extended use. Nor is it comfortable to rest one's arms on such armrests for long - the wood becomes too hard and unyielding after awhile. And a lot depends on how high the armrests are compared to the torso when sitting. I've learned this through experience.)

It makes me wonder why those who design chairs don't take lower back needs into account when designing regular arm chairs. I have found that easy chairs inevitably focus on plush armrests and seats, but seldom give thought to lower back support. (I guess one must just have extra pillows on hand!) And the height of the armrests in conjunction with the seat also seems to be random, from one design to another. Nor does it seem to matter how expensive the chairs or couches are; I've sat on extremely expensive couches and easy chairs and they are no better. The designers seem to be more intent on looks than actual comfort. Either that or I just haven't had a wide enough cross-sampling.

It couldn't have anything to do with my super picky back, now could it?!! hehe But I know that my torso is well proportioned lengthwise - not too short or long; I guess my current (now unused) chair was just an unfortunate choice when it came to the type of armrests or their height ratio. And it wasn't something I knew to look for at the time we bought it. I actually chose that chair with back support in mind - it was sufficient when we first bought it, but I have had to add more and more pillows over time to achieve comfort. And now, no amount of pillows can help me sit in it, period.

Which is probably a combination of factors: the chair has lost its resilience and I have definitely lost back tolerance. Sigh.. Better luck next buy?

I just hope I find 'my chair' soon. I'm getting tired of half reclining/laying down all the time. Sheesh! It's not like we're living in the 1700s or 1800s! lol

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