How to Manage Back Pain with the Right Recliner Chair

How you sit can help reduce back pain, outlines Dr Rob Hicks.

Back pain is a frequent complaint of visitors to GP surgeries. As the leading cause of disability in the UK, affecting one in six adults in England, it can be frustratingly difficult to treat, and even worse to live with.

While some health conditions can lead to back pain, its cause often cannot be identified, and that’s when it’s called “non-specific lower back pain”.

If a health condition is leading to your back pain, there’s likely to be specific advice available, so be sure to speak to your own GP.

The questions I’ve been asked about back pain over the years have ranged from healthy eating and exercise to posture and seating. Is there a “best” chair for a bad back? Are reclining chairs good for your back? Let’s take a look.

Is sitting bad for back pain?

Sitting in an upright position places strain on your back, leading to potentially long-term pain problems if you spend many hours sitting. Plenty of advice highlights the importance of keeping moving to maintain and improve health, including back health.

But we often don’t have a choice in the matter. Some people with particular health conditions or ageing-induced mobility issues simply have to sit for longer periods of time.

While there may be no option other than sitting, you can make sure you’re sitting comfortably, trying to not sit in the same position for long periods of time.

Are recliner chairs bad for your back?

Slumping and hunching is bad for back pain, upright can be too. But reclining is not bad for back pain. In fact, research has identified that sitting in a reclined position is better for your back than sitting upright.

Of course, it comes down to trial and error for each person. If you find that reclining eases your back pain that’s great, as this is something you can act on. A rise and recline chair is more convenient than attempting to recline with cushions and pillows. Consider a rise and recline chair for your back pain, as a means of finding that perfect position, unique to you, that helps your individual circumstances.

Similarly, if you find that changing your sitting position more frequently helps alleviate your back pain, a chair that is adjustable can make life a lot easier. Recline into different positions and put your feet up, easily, just by pressing a button. And when you’re ready to stand up, there’s a button for that too.

Some people with back pain may find that elevating their legs also helps – and there are multiple additional benefits to elevating your legs. A footstool is one way of achieving this. Another option is a rise and recline chair that elevates your legs for you.

How do I know if my chair is bad for lumbar support?

Postural changes caused by recurrent lower back pain affect the muscles that actually control your posture in the first place, so it’s important to get this right. It isn’t difficult to work out. If you notice that you slouch or stoop when you sit, it is likely that your chair is bad for lumbar support. If you find back pain is worse when you are seated, look to a seating solution with better lumbar support.

How to choose a chair for lumbar support?

Rise and recline chairs can be made to measure. This means you can have a chair of the correct width, depth and height for your own measurements, reducing potential strain on areas of your body, including your back. There are different back styles to choose from, and some are specifically designed to give extra support to the person’s lower, mid or upper back.

When leaning to one side is an issue along with back pain, consider a chair with internal cushions that can be adjusted to help keep you centred.

As well as maintaining good posture when sitting, people with back pain may need to change posture often, advises Versus Arthritis. In this context the benefits of a rise and recline chair come into their own as its position is easy to change.

Some rise and reline chairs naturally offer more lumbar support than others. So when researching the best reclining chair for back pain, do highlight, and focus on, your precise needs. Partnering with a well-established furniture company that understands and cares about health issues and potential solutions is important when seeking the best reclining chair for your needs.

What is the ideal reclining angle when sitting?

We know that sitting upright for long periods of time can lead to back pain. The good news is that reclining can reduce back pain.

Some experts have found that the off-loading sitting posture may reduce back pain in people whose situation requires prolonged sitting. The off-loading sitting posture means sitting with the back part of the seat tilted back 20° in comparison to the front part of the seat.

Another research group discovered that a 135° body-thigh sitting posture is the best sitting position. This is when you recline backward 135° while your feet remain on the floor.

So, enjoy trying out different reclined positions. When you’ve found comfort, make a note of the approximate angle so you can replicate it at other times. Living with back pain can bring you down, but how you sit can make a huge difference. Once your pain levels improve, so should your overall quality of life.

Further information

For more information about rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds and homecare beds download the brochure from The Mobility Furniture Company or tel 0808 265 1372 for further information.