1. Adjust the seat height to fit your body. The seat of your chair should be high enough so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are even with your hips, or slightly lower. If you sit too low in the chair, you can end up straining your neck, while if you sit too high, your shoulders can get tired over time.

2. Adjust the back of the chair to a 100°-110° reclined angle. Ideally, the back of a passive reclining chair shouldn't be perfectly straight, but angled backward gently beyond the 90 degree mark. This is much more comfortable an supportive for your back than a perfectly straight back.[

3. Make sure that your upper and lower back are supported. Good passive office chairs should offer some lumbar support, protruding slightly in the lower back to support your spin on both sides, keeping you comfortable and upright. If you don't have this kind of support, however, you have to make do yourself.

  • If necessary, use inflatable cushions or small pillows, just above your hips, in between the back of the chair and your spine. This should be a lot more comfortable.
  • When your chair has an active back mechanism use it to make frequent position changes, gently adjusting it and rocking backward and forward as you sit and work, keeping your back from staying sedentary.