We have some heavy leather recliners with velcro on the lower section of the back that I have removed the back from. You may be able to simply pull the back up by standing behind the chair, grabbing the back on both sides and pulling up and slightly toward yourself. It takes a bit of pulling the first time. There are metal bars on either side of the back that fit into brackets on the seat but you can't see them until the back starts coming up. Hope this works for you.
RonH
November 2010