Sciatica is a term for back pain that is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve in the body. When pressure is put on this nerve, the lower back can become uncomfortable and lead to other pain issues with your hips, buttocks, and similarly down each leg which inevitably hinders everyday work and other activities. A common problem of sciatica pain is from sitting in the wrong office chair all day at work. If you have experienced or have lower back pain and have not switched out your office chair, continue reading. Below we will further discuss what the qualities of the best office chair for sciatica pain are for both at work and in-home offices.
Why Having The Right Chair Is Important
Chronic pain such as lower back or neck pain could be the result of sitting in an unsupported chair for long periods of time. This is especially true if you are not taking any stretch breaks or going for a walk throughout the workday. It is important to remember that what may be helpful for others when it comes to pain is not always the best solution for your pain. Much like how each individual has particular interests, having the appropriate office chair that accommodates your height, weight, and pain areas should be priority when searching for a quality, supportive chair.
Ergonomic Office Chairs
For individuals suffering with sciatica pain conditions, getting an ergonomic office chair will help relieve tension, provide overall comfort, and increase efficiency throughout the workday. The purpose of this kind of chair is that it allows the ability to move with your body’s natural curves as opposed to against it. Additionally, there is a wide range of ergonomic chairs to choose from that can be adjusted based off someone’s needs. In certain traditional office chairs, a person may have to adjust their body’s position to the chair rather than adjust the chair itself to find comfort and reduce the pressure put on their backs or other pain areas. This is also true with nonadjustable armrests. Having an office chair with adjustable armrests that are capable of raising and lowering to be the same height as your desk will help alleviate pressure from your back, keep your spine naturally aligned, and decrease shoulder and neck strain. Since an ergonomic chair is manufactured to align with the body, it promotes good posture and allows for healthier physical and mental health. For individuals suffering from sciatica pain, an S-shaped backrest with waterfall edges is best since it lines anatomically with the spine to relieve tension.
Seat Height & Height Adjustment Basics
Seat height and height adjustment are equally important qualities for office chairs. Most traditional office chairs have a lever for seat height adjustment that lets the chair raise up at an average of 16 to 20 inches and goes down. This is a basic necessity that should generally be found in all office chairs. It is essential to remember that in order to keep a good posture, you must be able to sit in a chair where you can have your feet flat on the floor. If your legs are hanging and are not able to be flat on the floor, then your body will be forced to find a different position or solution to get comfortable.
Seat Depth Preferences
Another advantage that ergonomic chairs offer is adjustments to the seat depth. The importance of having an office chair with seat depth adjustment is that it can modify to the upper leg length for both short and tall people and helps with achieving good back support. It will also help in distributing an even amount of weight across seat cushions. Ideally, you should look for an office chair where your back is flush against the chair, but leaves about 2 to 4 inches from the chair’s seat and the back of the knees to keep a constant flow of circulation going.
Lumbar Support & Backrests Requirements
Lumbar support through height and depth is important to find to relieve sciatica pain. Without this extra support, the natural inward curve of the lumbar spine can flatten out, and apply a great deal of strain on the lower back. Additionally, having lumbar support that can easily adjust and is height adjustable is good for the torso since this area of the body is different for each individual. Similarly, the backrest should adjust to your weight and height. If the backrest is separated from the seat, it should be able to adjust in both height and angle. On the other hand, if the backrest is attached to the seat, the backrest itself should be able to angle forward and backwards and should come with a safety locking function that prevents shifting or leaning back too far in an uncomfortable position. Allowing adjustments on the back’s angle will help recline with ease without adding pressure to the spine.
Perfect Padding & Swivel
If you are suffering from sciatica pain, the amount of padding is key. Whether you prefer firm or softer chairs, look for a chair that has enough padding that will provide comfort, but not too much where the chair is overly stiff and applies pressure to the glutes. Likewise, finding an office chair with swivel ability will restrict straining when reaching for items around the desk. If you are working on top of a carpeted area, the wheelbase of an office chair that has a 360-degree-swivel is important to glide smoothly from place to place.
Ease Into Comfort
Now that you know what qualities make up the best office chair for sciatica pain, ease into comfort with a variety of office chairs from a traditional chair, executive office chair, or more padded options that Bel Furniture has to offer. Don’t forget to check out our website for finely crafted furniture or our blog for more information on furniture and tips.
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