Best Office Chair for Sciatica
Office work or a purely sedentary job can very quickly lead to enormous health problems. Besides computer work, sedentary work is one of the most unhealthy types of work. Two-thirds of all disease-related disorders involve back pain problems. Besides hernias and sciatica, especially in the sensitive lumbar area, there are many other syndromes that can be traced back to sitting too long or incorrectly. There are endless different types of office chairs on the market. What are the best office chairs for sciatica pain?
The 10 Best-Selling Office Chairs for Sciatica on Amazon of 2023
What kind of chair is best for sciatica?
An orthopedic or ergonomic office chair is used to prevent back problems or to help with existing back problems. A massage chair, on the other hand, is more suitable for relieving tension. If you do your daily work while sitting and you may already have a hernia or sciatica nerve pain, then the orthopedic office chair with an orthopedic seat cushion is the ideal solution.
A good orthopedic office chair differs from a normal chair in a number of ways. The orthopedic office chair can be optimally adapted to the body size of the respective user and offers great freedom of movement.
An office worker spends 9.6 hours a day, with almost completely no movement, sitting at his desk. When the muscles are not used, the pain steadily increases due to incorrect strain on the back and neck. Poor posture and rigid sitting gradually lead to muscle shortening and weakening, the so-called muscle imbalance. The consequences of this are painful tension. Static sitting tires you faster, and your concentration and receptivity decrease quickly. Postural damage is also inevitable with static sitting: the backbends more and more and your pelvis shifts backward due to the curvature of the back.
The Best Office Chair for Sciatica Nerve Pain for 2023
An office chair includes a lower lumbar support system that doesn’t automatically mean it offers great support, especially for users with back pain. There are a lot of different things that we need to consider when trying to find the perfect office chair for sciatica back pain. We are going to publish here the top five things you must consider when buying your next office chair specifically when looking for a sciatica back pain remedy with that. Let’s get started with our list.
9. Humanscale Liberty Chair
The Liberty chair came in with a rating of 77 out of 100 for sciatica back pain. It was the first of three different human-scale chairs to be found on this list. The back design of the Liberty is very similar to the human-scale different chair. When you sit in the chair for upright tasking, we found that the lower back support was medium to medium-strong.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Liberty chair, as you lean back, is the unique pivoting function in the backrest. It actually increases the lower support up to about 50% once you go from about fifty to a hundred percent that support becomes more of light support. If you want to recline in a human-scale chair, the other two options in the list will be a better option.
8. Eurotech iOO Chair
With a rating of 78 out of 100 and at first glance, it can be easily mistaken for the Ergo human series specifically with the very pronounced lower lumbar support system. When upright tasking, this offers medium to medium-strong support. It is really good for those users that like to cheat forward while typing. The mesh backrest design allows that lower support to really spread out and offer consistent support throughout your lower back.
The backrest and lumbar support are also height adjustable allowing you to fine-tune where you get the most support and as you recline the chair we found that lower support remains consistent where it is and with the amount of pressure with medium support even at full recline.
7. Herman Miller Cosm Chair
This Herman Miller chair comes with a rating of 79 out of 100. While I’m a bit hesitant to recommend this chair for those who want to task it did get enough points to rank at number 7 on our overall list. If you are going to be using this chair for tasking, I would highly recommend staying away from the leaf arms. You should go with the more adjustable task armchairs.
The Herman Miller chasm offers a unique feeling when seated in the chair with an almost floating hammock sensation. When upright tasking, it offers medium-lower support. Without a lower lumbar support system, it still spreads nicely throughout the lower back, the chasm is one of the few chairs in our list that offers its best lower support within recline mode.
Actually, we find ourselves going from fifty to a hundred percent that supports moves from medium to medium-strong. With its tall back design, it offers really good support for those who want to work in a reclined position.
6. Herman Miller Aeron Task Chair
It is with a rating of 79 out of 100. This is likely to be the most recognizable chair on the list as we set up and tested it. It includes the posture fit SL lumbar support system from Herman Miller which is highly recommended. If you’re looking to buy the Aeron and have good lower support with the posture fit, SL lumbar support system added to the era. It offers medium support for upright tasking and for those looking for even better lower support. It does offer a forward tilt function although it isn’t the perfect option for most as it creates almost this sensation that you’re falling forward out of the chair.
One of the best features of the Aeron chair is its smooth recline function which works really well for those people looking for good lower support. It keeps your feet planted firmly on the floor allowing the back and seat to move in unison. When you recline back in the chair anywhere from the full upright position to the full recline, you will get the exact same feeling in the lower back support.
5. Humanscale Freedom Ergonomic Chair
With a rating of 79 out of 100, this is the second human scale chair to make the list but the only one with a headrest. It offers medium to medium-strong lower support for upright tasking. It also includes a height-adjustable backrest and lumbar support allowing you to fine-tune its fit notice. The backward backrest also has that unique pivoting function found on all the other human-scale chairs. It moves with you as you work.
My personal favorite way to sit in the human-scale freedom chair with a headrest is at about 50% recline. We’ve actually found throughout the full recline the support is medium to medium-strong. Now, the only thing to consider is for those users that will be using this at about 75 to 100% recline.
You may need to adjust where the lumbar support sits on your back because it will move up slightly, as you move back into that fully reclined position.
4. Steelcase Leap Ergonomic Chair
With a rating of 80 out of 100, this chair offers medium to medium-strong lower support for upright tasking. Depending on how you’ve configured the chair, the leap also comes with a height-adjustable lumbar support system as well as a depth-adjustable system. The chair can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the curvature of the backrest.
The chair’s recline offers medium support consistently through about 50% and then begins to diminish beyond that point. At full recline, you’ll notice that it’s either light or potentially up to medium depending on how the user has the chair configured.
3. Humanscale Diffrient Smart Chair
This chair has a rating of 80 out of 100, tied with the Steelcase leap but truly it couldn’t be any different. While it doesn’t include an adjustable lower lumbar support system, it does have the unique pivoting backrest found on all the other human-scale chairs in the list. We found with upright tasking it offers medium support. The mesh actually allows it to spread nicely throughout your back and fits most body types very well.
As you begin to recline in the human scale differently, this is where it really begins to shine. The backrest pivots into your lower back and from about 25 to 100 percent of recline, we found that the lower support moves from medium to medium-strong to strong in a full recline position.
2. Eurotech Vera Mesh Chair
With a rating of 81 out of 100, the Vera was our top pick for overall back comfort and also offers excellent lower support. One of the first things, you’ll notice about the Vera is it doesn’t have an independent lumbar adjustment system. However, it does have a nice curved backrest. It offers good lower support with mesh upholstery that spreads nicely throughout the back for most body types.
Something that I liked about the chair is how it sits you perfectly upright with medium to strong support when tasking in that upright position. As you recline in the chair, you’ll notice that the lumbar support does begin to diminish and when in full recline it is light at best.
1. Ergohuman LE9ERG Office Chair
With a rating of 82 out of 100 and at first glance, you can tell the lower lumbar support system on this chair is impressive. The lower lumbar support protrudes out beyond the upper backrest which is the first thing to hit your back.
For the users upright and tasking, they’ll find that it is medium to medium-strong for lower support. This is a great chair for those who like to cheat and lean forward when typing. The padded leather design on the Lenain ERG lumbar support system will create very specific lumbar support. It will not spread out like some of the mesh alternatives on the list.
The backrest and lumbar support are also height adjustable allowing you to fine-tune where you place that on your back. The design of the backrest will allow for some movement as you twist and move around in the chair. As you move into a reclined position with the Lenain ERG chair, you will notice that the lumbar support system naturally moves up your backrest. So you may be required to actually adjust the height on the backrest and lumbar support as you recline in your chair. But nonetheless, when in a full recline or somewhere between fifty to a hundred percent, you will notice that the chair still offers medium lower back support.
Spinalis Ergonomic Office Chair Reduces Sciatica Back Pain
Spinalis ergonomic office chairs help you get rid of the pain. Because the dynamic seat of this ergonomic chair moves with the movements of your body, your back is less stressed. This movement of your body is comparable to active sitting on a sitting ball at the physiotherapist. Exercise experts, chiropractors, and physiotherapists find a lot of exercises very important for health. That is why they recommend Spinalis as an ergonomic office chair to anyone with or without back pain.
Spinalis ergonomic office chair prevents back problems
Ergonomic office chairs from Spinalis prevent back complaints. The sitting ball effect ensures that you automatically sit upright and train your back and abdominal muscles. Low back pain and hernia complaints are thus prevented. The seat of the Spinalis ergonomic chair, which can be moved in all directions, means that the pelvis is constantly in motion, which prevents unnecessary pressure on the intervertebral discs and/or overloaded joints. This distinguishes Spinalis ergonomic office chairs from other brands of ergonomic chairs. See also: Tips for the best sitting position.
Are you looking for an ergonomic office chair that keeps you fit and healthy?
Spinalis for the maintenance and recovery of your vitality On an ergonomic office chair from Spinalis, the seat moves with the movements of your body so that you remain active all day long unnoticed.
How to find a comfortable office chair for Sciatica Nerve Pain?
When you buy an office chair to relieve your sciatica nerve pain, the following three points should be in your consideration.
Adjustable Support for Lower Back, Arm, and Lumbar
A comfortable office chair has support for the lower back. Some of the better seats even have adjustable lumbar support that allows the user to adjust the seat to his or her lower back. This is important in preventing back strain that can worsen and become sciatica, a condition that can be debilitating.
Almost all comfortable office chairs have a height and arm adjustment. However, these are not the most important features to look for when shopping for a comfortable office chair.
Some of the best office chairs have up to 14 different adjustments. Although you might not need so much, the following 5 adjustments are must-haves. Important features that must be adjustable are the lumbar support, the width and height of the armrests, the width, and height of the backrest, the angle of the seat and backrest, and the tension control. Many of the supports can be operated with a rotary knob, while a number is operated with a hand pump.
Wheelbase
Almost all office chairs have a wheelbase. However, if the office is carpeted, it may be necessary to take a chair with castors that are specially made for carpet. Rolling is important to help sitters pick up objects that are out of reach. All comfortable office chairs must be able to rotate freely so that the different parts of the desk are easily accessible. If the chair cannot rotate freely, arm fatigue may result from extending too far to reach various objects.
Breathable Cushion Fabric
The fabric must be breathable to prevent the chair from becoming hot and uncomfortable after sitting in the chair for hours. In addition, the chair must have enough cushion to support the person sitting in it without feeling the base of the chair through the cushion.
Why buy a comfortable office chair?
Having a comfortable office chair has many advantages. The back is less stressed to relieve the sciatica nerve pain. A supportive and comfortable office chair reduces the fatigue and discomfort that can come from sitting in the same chair for long hours working. Studies have shown that comfortable workers are more productive and contribute to a more positive work environment than uncomfortable workers. Finally, having the right, comfortable office chair reduces the number of breaks the employee has to take due to the discomfort of a chair.
Office managers should let their employees try the chair they intend to buy before purchasing it to make sure it is a good fit for the employee. It is important to know what the chair feels like to make a wise purchase. Many companies in the US will bring a variety of chairs into the office for employees to sit in and decide which chair is the best for them.
Good ergonomic chairs for sciatica and hernia are one of the best investments you can make in your health, productivity, and general well-being.
What is Sciatica Nerve Pain?
Sciatica is a nerve pain of the great sciatic nerve, also called the sciatic nerve. About 2 out of 5 people will have to deal with sciatica at some point. It is significantly high, although many people do not know that their complaint falls under the ‘sciatica’ category. The development of this pain has various causes: an incorrect lying, standing, and/or sitting position is one of them. Our seating specialists can in any case help you to a better sitting position to reduce the risk of sciatica.
Sciatica pain refers to radiating pain that arises from the sciatic nerve.
The pain follows the path of the sciatic nerve, starting in the lower back, through the buttock area to the back of the leg. Sciatica usually hurts only on one side of the body.
Here we’ll explore the finer points of sciatic nerve pain, including risk factors, symptoms, and how best to treat from physical therapy to using a sciatic brace.
What causes sciatica?
According to research, 90% of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated (or bulging) disc with a compressed nerve root. That said, sciatica can also be caused by spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, piriformis muscle, and even pregnancy.
Symptoms of Sciatica Pain
Sciatica pain usually starts with numbness, tingling, or mild pain in the lower back, hip, and buttocks. The pain radiates from the nerve so that pain and discomfort radiate along the nerve path. The pain can be mild or severe, with more intense pain described as a burning sensation or even an electric shock.
Treating sciatica is usually unnecessary
Although the complaints can be very annoying, treatment is often unnecessary. This is because complaints will disappear over time (varying between a few days to a few months).
Nevertheless, it makes sense to counteract the above causes as much as possible under the motto ‘prevention is better than cure. Aiming for normal body weight, sufficient exercise, and good office chairs are very important. Moreover, a good lying, standing, and sitting posture are of great importance to prevent sciatica.
Improve your sitting posture with these 4 tips
How can you improve your sitting position? See below some tips from our sitting specialists:
Tip 1: Alternate sitting and standing.
The weakening of the muscles is one of the causes of sciatica. If you have an office job, you will soon be eight hours a day, four to five days a week. You are then 32-40 hours a week and you understand that this causes muscles to weaken over time due to a lack of physical activity. Therefore, change sitting and standing or to keep muscles active. This is only a few minutes of exercise in an hour and can be achieved by getting a drink or going to the toilet. Of course, this is important not only for compliance at work but also when you are at home. So make sure you have enough variety at home.
Tip 2: Prevent compensation Sitting Postures
You probably regularly sit on the edge of your seat or slouch on your chair. Those are compensation attitudes. You often do this unconsciously because there is no support from a chair. You adopt a posture that requires less muscle strength/energy. Nevertheless, this can cause physical complaints in the long term. Avoid compensating positions on the chair. Sit tightly against the backrest and avoid slouching.
Tip 3: Choose the Right Office Chair
The first tip is easy to follow, but the second tip may cause more problems. If the seat of the chair is much longer than your legs, you can never sit properly in your chair. The same applies to slouching because a backrest that lacks proper support will automatically cause a slumped posture. So choose a comfortable office chair that fits you, even if you need a new chair because of this.
Tip 4: And ensure the correct settings for your office chair.
Achieving the correct sitting position can be done by means of a simple 5-step plan to set up the workplace. This step-by-step plan has been developed by our seating specialists and with the help of that plan we set up people when they have bought a new office chair.
Extra attention for a back hernia in sciatica
Sciatica is often associated with a (back) hernia. That is not surprising, because sciatica precedes a hernia and thus occurs together. In addition, sciatica can also be caused by a hernia, as you read earlier in this blog. Because of a herniated disc and sciatica so close together.
5 Ways To Treat Sciatica Pain
Now that you know a little bit more about sciatica it is time to explore the most effective methods of treatment. From exercise, and extra rest to using a sciatica brace, there are many steps you can take to find relief. Most mild sciatica pain will resolve on its own over time. If your symptoms persist for more than a few days or the pain gets worse, you should seek a medical diagnosis.
1. Dosed Rest
For most less severe cases of sciatica, metered rest is the most effective treatment. Sciatica pain is often caused by inflammation and overuse. Giving your body the right time to rest and recover can be the most effective way to relieve the symptoms of sciatica. A few days of rest is usually enough. But don’t lie in bed alone. Hot and cold therapy can also help. Cold packs should be used for the first few days after symptoms appear. After a few days, switch to heat packs to aid in the recovery process. In general, painkillers and anti-inflammatories should be used sparingly for the first few days to relieve pain and reduce swelling/inflammation.
2. Gentle Movement
After a few days of rest, your body starts to weaken, putting your back at increased risk for further damage. Hence, the rest should be limited in size. Gentle movement is an effective treatment to relieve inflammation, relax tense muscles, and maintain good strength.
Short walks, gentle stretching movements like yoga, and even massage can relieve minor symptoms of sciatica and even help prevent further damage from occurring. Swimming and water aerobics can be a supportive way to strengthen tendons and muscles, while proper exercise trains the body.
3. Exercise and Physiotherapy
The best way to treat a low back injury is to strengthen the area to reduce symptoms and prevent further damage. Exercise and physical therapy can help relieve sciatica in the long term. Core strengthening exercises, deep tissue massage, and other physical therapies can stabilize the spine.
4. Supportive back brace
A suitable back brace is a very effective way to prevent sciatica treatment and further cases of pain. A back brace provides pain relief by relieving pressure within the vertebrae. A back brace is effective and provides long-lasting relief by increasing the intervertebral disc space, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.
5. Spinal injections
If rest, exercise and physical therapy do not provide relief and symptoms worsen or do not improve within a month, epidural steroid injections can be used as a form of treatment. An injection of steroids in the back at the sciatic nerve can reduce inflammation and relieve nerve pain. However, as with all medical procedures, there are risks of side effects and limitations on effectiveness.
Spinal injections should be discussed with a physician and should only be used after other non-invasive procedures have been exhausted. Surgery should also be considered a last resort for sciatica
Final Touch
If you’re looking for the perfect office chair to remedy your sciatica nerve and lower back pain, it’s important to consider how much support you need and where you’ll need it most. Whether you’re working fully upright or in a reclined position, you must consider how the lumbar support will move with you, while you work. If you would like more information on how to prevent sciatica, please drop the link above to read the full guidance on sciatica pain relief.
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