are there office furniture stores near you? some places have oodles of used furniture that is reasonable/inexpensive - and still in good condition.

It is important to "audition" a chair. What may be comfy for person A might be miserable for person B. I like wheels (get the 5 leg, not the 4 leg - it's less apt to tip over) and adjustable height.

I also vote with the "no arms" on the chair - they get in the way.

I alternate between a straight back wooden chair and an office chair (armless). The secret is to take regular breaks, stretch, walk around etc. My husband bought me one of those massage seat toppers...very good, gives a full back and seat massage or just the seat and lower back. I have this permanently on the chair at the computer desk. Everyone loves it, cept the dogs who find the hum perplexing!

Sorry...posted rice bag info twice.

I have made two styles of bags, both starting with an inner liner of muslin that holds the rice, either a large rectangle or a U-shape big enough to drape around the neck. Stitch the seams with a small stitch length to make it harder for rice to leak out. I leave one end open, turn it inside out and fill half- to two-thirds full with inexpensive uncooked white rice from my discount grocery store – not Minute Rice. (It might take more rice than you expect.) From experience: Put the bag down into a mixing bowl and use a large funnel or a cardboard shape bent into a funnel to help you get the rice in the bag. And don’t let a 2 year old try to “help.” Be sure to leave enough room in the bag to allow it to drape softly around the neck and also to shake the contents to evenly distribute the rice during the heating. Then stitch the end of the bag closed. I found it a bit tricky to work with the bag at my machine without rice leaking out, and I got rice in the bobbin case, so you might want to slipstitch the opening shut before taking it back to your machine.

The outer liners are made in three pieces like you would for a removable pillow cover – a solid piece for the front and two overlapping pieces for the back that you leave open to slip the muslin bag into. I’ve used cotton, flannel and fleece (which stretches and is a bit more challenging to work with).

Place on a microwavable plate or in a bowl and mircrowave on high for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on the microwave and how much rice is in the bag. I take it out at one minute and shake to distribute the heated rice. Do not overheat! The rice could brown if you leave it in too long, or the bag could be too hot and damage the skin. Some people may find these bags a bit heavy, but most I’ve given them to love them. I’ve used them to relax muscle stress and strain at the computer or sewing machine, relax a leg cramp, drape over my nose and eyes to help relieve sinus pain and headache, and for aches of cold and flu. They are great too on my feet on those cold winter evenings when I feel chilled to the bone. Basically whatever you’d use a heating pad for. Some people say they keep one in the freezer for cold applications, but I’ve never tried that (I prefer warm!).
Sorry – didn’t mean to hijack the topic!

I do not know which is a good chair, but a totally agree with the taking a break advice. I make myself get up once in a while, even if I am feeling fine and want to keep going for hours.

thanks for suggestions. many valid points. i too sew on carpet so wheels would be good, and 5 rollers, less chance of tipping over. also the rice bag for the pain. glad you posted the instructions for everyone. i will keep reading suggestions and make up my mind. any more suggestions are appreciated.

I've made some and used kitchen towels as covers. Use 1 towel sewn lenghthwise and then across 1 short end slip the insert inside and use Velcro to fasten together. If you want use two towels together, velcro one end, but I found when you make the insert for this size you need to make channels(make rectangle, leave.opening to fill with rice, but before filling stich most of the way one way and then the other way. Create a maze. I generally have 4 channnels)

Same here. My computer chair works best for me.

I have a cheap office chair at home with arms which i think is ok. Now, at work after being off work due to a bad back my employer got me an office chair with lumbar support..it is much more padded both under your bottom and the back area and also the foam seems more shaped (if that makes sense) my back feels so much better when i sit on that and the guy that sells them comes out and you get fitted for this chair! The chair cost $400 which i felt was not excessive and I will shortly get this guy to get me one for home as it really made a big difference. It has arms which are adjustable up or down and they guy said you have to have the arms as when you get up or sit down you can use them and it takes the stress off your back. I find the arms dont get in my way not even on my cheap chair maybe it just takes time to get used to..

:D :D
I love my chair...
Its the office chair with wheels and arms.....I cannot live without it....Very comfortable on my back.....But standing up and stratching yourself every 15 minutes is also a very good idea..... :lol: