In this article, we have reviewed the best office chairs for sciatica. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
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Sciatica refers to pain which starts from sciatic nerves and branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg[1]. It usually affects only one side of the body.
According to research, as many as 4 out of every 10 people will get sciatica, or irritation of the sciatic nerve, at some point in their life[2]. An estimated 90 percent of cases are due to a herniated (slipped) disk[3]
Sitting creates pressure on the discs in the lower back[4]; hence sitting for a long duration on a chair is always bad for herniated desks, even though the chair itself may be ergonomically designed and give both lumbar as well middle and upper back support.
What Is The Best Office Chairs For Sciatica?
When we set out to write an article on the “Best Office Chairs For Sciatica”, the answer that stared us in the face was – there is no such chair!
Believe it or not, the answer to getting some relief from sciatic pain lies in getting up and walking about a bit, instead of sitting in a chair all day. And therein lies the answer – a chair that gets you off your butt and walking around is actually the best office chair for sciatica!
A standing desk is a highly popular method which many people are using these days to make sure that they do not sit for long periods when working in the office. Standing desks have been shown to help with a variety of back pain problems[5][6][7].
So when you ask us about the best office chairs for sciatica, our answer is a good Standing Desk Chair, coupled with a good standing desk or a converter.
In this segment, we have listed some of the best office chairs for sciatica, which are ergonomically designed standing chairs that support you when you sit and make you move about when you stand.
Our Top Choice – Flash Furniture Mid Back Chair
The Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh... is our top choice for Best Office Chairs For Sciatica, because of the following reasons:
- Padded flip-up arms for more comfortable seating.
- Breathable mesh backs include better lumbar support.
- Pneumatic adjustment lever to adjust the seat height as required.
- Heavy-duty nylon base chrome foot ring.
- Tilt tension adjustment knob to adjust the chair backward.
- 360 chrome footrest reduces pressure on the back.
- The flip-Up arm setting can be changed to an armless design in case you want an armless design.
Best Office Chairs For Sciatica
#1 Flash Furniture Mid Back Chair
Flash Furniture Mid Back Chair is our top choice for the best office chair for sciatica. This chair comes with an array of adjustable features to give you better relief for a long time. It features an armless design and height-adjustable footring for your better comfort.
Features and Benefits
- Padded-flip-up Arms: The chair is designed with padded flip-up arms to give comfortable seating. When arms can be flipped down, you can use it to rest your elbow, and when they are flipped up, they create a large seating area with more space to do some natural movements.
- Adjustments: The ergonomically designed chair comes with great adjustment features. The pneumatic adjustment lever will allow you to adjust the seat as per your desired height easily. With the tilt lock mechanism, you can rock the chair in an upright position. The tilt tension adjustment knobs adjust the chair backward to create comfortable seating.
- Footrest and Base: The 360 chrome footrest reduces pressure on the legs to give you better comfort. The heavy-duty base is designed with dual caster wheels designed for better stability and ease of movement.
- Back: The breathable mesh back gives better lumbar support and allows you to sit on this chair for long hours. It improves your seating posture while allowing you to work in your relaxed position on this chair.
Why should you buy it?
Besides being an ideal chair for the sufferers of Sciatica, the chair is suitable for those looking for a chair to improve their seating posture. It features adjustment features and padded flip-up arms to change the settings to your desired position and a breathable mesh back to improve your seating posture.
You might also like to read: 10 Best Office Chair Under $200 [Updated 2021]
#2 Boss Office Ergonomic Work Chair
This ergonomic chair is our second choice for the best office chair for sciatica. Its pneumatic seat height adjustment lets users alter the chair’s height from 26.5 to 31.5 inches to get relief from spinal pressure.
Features and Benefits
- Seat: The contoured seat is 17.5 to 16.5 inches with the pneumatic seat height adjustment feature that lets users alter the chair’s height from 26.5 to 31.5 inches to get relief from spinal pressure and other back pains.
- Ergonomic Design: With its built-in lumbar support and waterfall seat design, the chair aids in reducing stress to your legs to get better circulation. The back is upholstered in tweed fabric to let you sit comfortably on this chair for long hours. Moreover, this heavy-duty chair is capable of holding a weight capacity of up to 275 pounds.
- Stable Construction: The 5-star nylon base with a solid 27 inches diameter has a full swivel and double wheel casters that allow for smooth movements and better mobility. This chair comes with an adjustable arm or no arm option that a user can select as per the needs.
Why should you buy it?
Looking for a chair to relax and work comfortably for long hours, this one is good. With its built-in lumbar support and waterfall seat design, the chair lets you sit comfortably for long hours without putting much strain on your back and legs.
#3 Boss Office Back Stool Chair
The medical stool is ideal for working for long hours as it features a stable and slim design that ensures easy maneuvering and a better setting. The seat height adjustment feature gives better pain relief when you sit on this chair.
Features and Benefits
- Adjustments: The chair features a one-touch lever, which aids in smooth seat height adjustment to accommodate desks of varying heights. The 3 inches well-cushioned seat further adds to your comfort when you sit on this office chair.
- Design: The ergonomic back design emulates the shape of your spine. Its compact design measures 25*25*41-47 inches, making it easy to store conveniently. Moreover, the removable chrome foot ring gives the convenience to remove it when not in use.
- Smooth: The chair features 25 inches heavy-duty chrome base with durable dual caster wheels makes for a smooth, easy, and a noise-free full-swivel. Thus ensures to give better mobility. Its attractive chrome finish at the end gives this chair a solid look.
Why should you buy it?
If you are looking for a chair to support your back better, this one is ideal for you. It features a 3 inches well-cushioned seat that adds to your comfort when you sit on this office chair.
You might also like to read: 10 Best Office Chairs under $300 [Updated for 2021]
#4 Modway Veer Drafting Stool Chair
The ergonomic back chair features a form-fitted breathable mesh back and padded waterfall mesh seat to keep your thighs and back in a better posture. This helps the sufferers of sciatica to give relief to their sensitive nerves.
Features and Benefits
- Adjustment: The chair allows you to adjust the seat height with a one-touch pneumatic lift that allows you to change the settings as per your comfort. The foot ring and extra tall gas cylinder let you adjust it according to your desired position to feel more comfortable. The 90-degree flip-up padded arms are highly adjustable and let you easily adjust the settings.
- Breathable Comfort: The chair features a breathable mesh back and a padded mesh seat. So you can feel comfortable and sit on this chair for long hours without putting much pressure on your back and legs.
- Safety: The user-friendly seat-tilt plus tension-control knob securely locks your back in place. It is perfect for adjusting the chair to fit your body weight. Moreover, its dual-wheel casters glide smoothly over the carpeted floor without the fear of falling off.
Why should you buy it?
If you often complain of low back pain, this chair is ideal for you as it is made with a breathable mesh back and a padded mesh seat that lets you feel comfortable and sit on this chair for long hours without putting much pressure on your back.
#5 Flash Furniture Ergonomic Drafting Chair
The versatile chair has a taller frame to meet the needs of those working at above-average desk heights. The seat height locks the seat in a better way and also prevents your chair from rocking.
Features and Benefits
- Full-Swivel Seat: The full swivel upholstered seat lets you sit on this chair for long hours. The contoured padded swivel seat provides you with the better comfort that you need while doing your work. The mesh back adds to more comfort while seating.
- Adjustable: The chrome height adjustable footring gives ease to adjust the settings as per your convenience. It features an adjustable lever with which you can adjust the seat height. The taller frame is ideal for those working above average desk heights.
- Safety: The chair is safe for working as its tilt lever lets you push into a lock in an upright position to activate the rocking motion while its tilt tension knobs control the tilt resistance. So the chair prevents rocking and gives you added security.
Why should you buy it?
The office chair is ideal for working from home or offices as it enables long hour comfort. The chair features a contoured padded swivel seat that provides you with the better comfort you need while doing your work.
You might also like to read: 7 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
#6 SMUGCHAIR Drafting Chair
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The fully integrated chair features a three-degree curved seat and a backrest that helps maintain your spine’s natural curve. The height adjustment feature lets you adjust the height as per your back needs.
Features and Benefits
- Height Adjustments: The chair is suitable for all heights as its height adjustment ranges from 25.2-33.9 inches. With the foot pedal height adjustment, you can tighten or loosen the foot ring’s large nuts to achieve height adjustment. The adjustable footrest allows your foot to have a more comfortable position.
- Seat: It features a full 360 degree upholstered seat. The seat is highly padded and made of high-quality thick sponge and breathable mesh cloth to prevent body heat and keep your hips and legs sweat-free. The 360-degree chair moves between different areas around you.
- Lumbar Support: The integrated lumbar cushion gives extra support and cushioning. It helps to prevent work-related injuries and reduce stress on the lumbar region. The PU casters provide excellent stability and are also suitable for hard floors.
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Why should you buy it?
If you often feel pressure on the lumbar area, then this ergonomic chair is ideal for you. The integrated lumbar cushion gives extra support and cushioning and reduces the stress on the lumbar region.
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#7 Office Star Deluxe Drafting Chair
The self-adjusting back chair is outfitted with a firm yet flexible cut out style contoured back. The thickly padded mesh seat and seat height feature give you better comfort for long working hours.
Features and Benefits
- Design: The back armless chair features a two-tone design and built-in lumbar support. It is made of breathable mesh material that allows air to circulate. Its two-tone design features silver accented flip arms that are highly adjustable.
- Adjustable: The drafting chair features 20 inches diameter footring. The chair can be adjusted from 24.25 to 33.75 inches, which gives a better seating position. The seat depth is 17 inches that you can adjust as per your needs.
- Seat: The thickly padded mesh seat gives you comfort for long working hours. The vinyl seat and mesh provide a better seating experience.
Why should you buy it?
The armless chair is ideal for those looking for an excellent chair to improve their posture. It features a two-tone design and built-in lumbar support with breathable mesh material that gives better seating posture.
You might also like to read: 9 Best Office Chair under $500 in 2021
Buyer’s Guide: Best Office Chairs For Sciatica
The best office chairs for sciatica promote good blood circulation and offer excellent lumbar back support. But before buying the best office chair for sciatica, you must consider certain factors.
Adjustment
Generally, office chairs have adjustable seats that cater to people of different stature. You must choose an office chair that allows you to change the seat height accordingly. The ideal seat height adjustment is 5 inches. You can adjust the armrest or headrest height to provide you with a high degree of comfort.
Adequate Padding
To put less pressure on your spine, you must look for a chair with leather upholstery or mesh-like cover. Thickly padded seats give better cushioning and breathability to provide better air circulation and exceptional comfort to sit on these chairs for a long time.
Lumbar Support
Choosing an office chair with adequate lumbar support is an essential factor for the sufferers of sciatica. Proper lumbar support imitates the natural spine and provides fantastic support to your back. However, the adjustable back support with a reclining arrangement should be ideal.
Mobility
If your office chair comes with high-quality castor wheels and a swivel base, then you get better mobility. A good swivel base further helps to turn the chair around in the same sitting position.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Office Chairs For Sciatica
Is sitting worse for sciatica?
Sitting for a long time may worsen your pain of sciatica. Sitting may put a lot of pressure on your glute muscles and your sciatic nerve. Moving around may give your sciatic nerve a break and put less pressure on it and allow blood to flow into the affected area.
Can massage chairs help sciatica?
The sufferers of sciatica may experience swelling of nerves and numbness in the legs too. The doctors can recommend using massage chairs if the intensity of your lower back pain is mild. The massage chairs help to relax the back muscles and also provide relief to your pain.
Does sciatica go away on its own?
Sciatica usually goes away with or without treatment. The doctors can diagnose the cause of sciatica, and the prescribed treatment may help you to heal from this pain in a better way.
Conclusion
The pain of sciatica can be excruciating and its intensity can increase by sitting on a regular chair. Hence, it’s advisable to go for a standing chair, which will not let the pain intensify.
In our opinion, the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh... is the best choice among the various options that we have considered, because this chair comes with an array of adjustable features to give you better relief for a long time. It features an armless design and height-adjustable footring for your better comfort.
The Boss Office Products Ergonomic... is our next best choice because its pneumatic seat height adjustment lets users alter the chair’s height from 26.5 to 31.5 inches to get relief from spinal pressure.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Boss Office Products B16245-BK Be... , which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
You might also like to read: 7 Best Seat Cushions for Office Chairs [2021]
References:
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
[2] https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/sciatica-pain-relief-options#2
[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619#causes
[4] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taming-pain-sciatica-people-time-heals-less
[5] https://www.prevention.com/health/a20504525/how-to-relieve-sciatic-pain/