After a hard day at work, nothing beats relaxing back in a chair and watching television. The majority of us look forward to this time to relax and let our troubles fade away in the comfort of our homes. Surprisingly, a lot of individuals utilize recliners to relieve back pain.
“Are Recliners bad for your back ?“
It is a query that comes to mind. Recliners, when correctly adjusted and supported, can be beneficial to your back. However, sitting at an angle, leaning to one side, or without sufficient spine support can exhaust and harm your back.
The facts concerning how a recliner affects your back are listed in this article.
Table of Contents
History of Recliners
These days, recliners may be seen at movie theatres, on flights, in hospitals, in waiting rooms, and pretty much wherever else. They’re an important component of today’s hectic lifestyle. One of the most common locations to sit during our little free time is in a recliner.
Recliners have been around since the 1920s, and while they have been upgraded since then, the basic design has remained the same.
There wasn’t much knowledge regarding spine health and appropriate posture in the 1920s.
The first commercially available reclining chairs were designed with the well-heeled worker in mind. A man who could afford such pleasures without using them. Recliners were never intended to be used for sleeping or spending long periods. But, much to the disadvantage of their backs, that is how they are used today.
A decent recliner chair may help relieve a variety of aches and pains, as well as enhance circulation when used appropriately.
Are Recliners Bad for Your Back
Why Recliner Might Be Harming Your Back?
Your lower back may pain if you sit in a chair without sufficient lumbar support. Bad posture occurs when you sit in a chair between your lower back and the chair.
Bad posture causes your lower back ligaments and muscles to stretch, stiffen, and pain.
Only a decent recliner chair will be beneficial to your back. If your reclining chair at home does not include at least lumbar support, it might cause even greater back issues.
A decent recliner chair may help relieve a variety of aches and pains and enhance circulation when used appropriately.
Are Recliners Unhealthy?
Is it true that are recliners bad for your health?
Recliners aren’t harmful to your back, and recliners can be used to ease back discomfort in some circumstances.
Your recliner should not be giving you back discomfort if it provides lumbar support, lifts your feet above your heart level, and fits your body size adequately. If your recliner is causing you discomfort, experts recommend investing in a chair that has been proved to relieve back pain.
Not only will your aches and pains vanish after you’ve found the right recliner for you, but you’ll also be able to take full advantage of the reclining chair’s intended health benefits. Following are the health benefits:
● Zero Gravity Position
● Better circulation
● Improved digestion
● Benefits to lung health
● Relaxant effect
Is Sitting in a Recliner Bad for Back Pain?
Sitting in an upright position puts tension on your back, leading to long-term discomfort issues. If you sit for longer durations, a lot of advice emphasizes the significance of staying active to maintain and enhance one’s health, particularly one.’
However, we frequently do not have a choice in the issue. Some persons with specific health ailments or movement limitations caused by ageing must sit for prolonged periods.
Signs of Recliners Are Bad for lumbar Support
Are recliners bad for posture? Frequent lower back discomfort causes postural alterations that impair the muscles that regulate your posture in the first place, so it’s crucial to get this right.
Working out is not tough. If you lean or bow when you sit, probably, your recliner isn’t providing adequate lumbar support. Look for an option for the recliners with lumbar support if you notice that your back pain worsens while you’re seated.
People with back pain may need to adjust their posture often in addition to keeping proper posture when sitting, according to Versus Arthritis. Your overall quality of life should improve as your posture improves.
Many recline chairs provide greater lumbar support by default than others. So, when looking for the finest reclining chair for back pain, make a point of focusing on your specific requirements. When looking for the greatest reclining chair for your needs, interact with a well-established furniture company that knows and cares about health problems and potential solutions.
Are Recliners Bad For Your Legs?
In general, if used correctly, a recliner is not bad for your legs. If you work all day, a recliner is great for your health and comfort. On the other hand, a recliner is not a good choice if you sit for long periods.
A recliner encourages you to sit for prolonged amounts of time. If you only sit in your chair all day, your legs may suffer. This may cause:
● Pain in knees
● Swelling in legs
● Airplane syndrome
● Hip muscle contractions
● Varicose veins
● Gain in weight
Recliners and Neck Pain
“Are recliners bad for your neck?” is a simple question with a truthful answer.
However, this does not eliminate the possibility of bodily pain from using a recliner. But, the impairment is frequently caused by inappropriate seating or the usage of an unsuitable chair for your body. In some ways, the answer is yes, because recliners may induce neck pain, but this isn’t always the recliner’s fault. Neck pain occurs due to the recliners because of the following reasons:
- Neck positions
- The angle of the neck
- The recliner’s setup
- Without Neck’s support
If recliners are used correctly, then recliners are good for your neck. The recliners help to support the neck and alleviate neck pain.
What is the Perfect Reclining Angle?
Long periods of sitting straight are known to cause back discomfort. The good news is that reclining can help you get rid of your sciatic nerve pain.
According to some specialists, the off-loading sitting position has been shown to relieve back pain in individuals who must sit for long durations. The off-loading sitting position includes sitting with the rear section of the seat slanted back 20 degrees from the front part.
Another research demonstrates that the ideal sitting posture is a 135° body-thigh sitting posture, and this is when you recline 135 degrees while keeping your feet on the floor.
When Recliners are Beneficial for Back Pain?
According to Dr. Kamp’s, recliners are particularly beneficial for those recovering from surgery.
For example, a patient who just had shoulder surgery may experience less stress when sitting in a recliner since the chair elevates the shoulder.
People who spend a lot of time on their feet would benefit from reclining chairs. Standing for long periods affects the back.
“Trying to put pressure on your back, whether sleeping flat or in a reclining chair will assist alleviates some of that hip pain,” the doctor stated.
Yet, and this is critical, the chair must fit you properly. If your recliner doesn’t support your lower back, it might be doing more damage than good to your body. Dr. Kamps recommends adding support to your lower back by putting a wrapped towel or a small pillow against it.
Sleeping in Recliners
Some individuals prefer to sleep on recliners because they can’t lay flat on a bed. Sleeping in an inclined posture may be beneficial for people who suffer from severe heartburn, and the acid will find it more difficult to ascend the oesophagus.
Insomnia patients might consider sleeping in a chair, and this can assist them in relaxing their airways and maintaining their flexibility. Following are the suggestions to relax the back recliner:
✔ If you use a recliner for bad back pain alleviation, ensure sure your lower back is properly supported. If there is a gap between your lower spine and the chair, a cushion should be used to support your back. Slip it into your spine’s curvature.
✔ Make sure your shoulders are evenly supported, and your hips are level and not tilted to one side.
✔ To finish the arrangement, use a cylindrical cushion or a rolled-up blanket to support the back of your neck. This will support your body in all the appropriate areas while also providing comfort to your spine.
How to Choose a Recliner That Is Right for You?
We can help you choose the right chair for you, whether you’re tall or short, thin or stalky. We’ve classified our recliners into 4 groups for your easiness:
● Short (less than 5’4″)
● Medium (about 5’5″ – 5’9″)
● Tall (5’10” – 6’2″)
● Extra Tall (6’3″ and up) is a term used to describe someone taller than average.
Recliners Help in Pain Management
Many people believe that recliners cause back pain; however, this is a myth. As we’ve seen, there are a few things you can do to avoid this. Surprisingly, many individuals utilize recliners to relieve back problems, which is especially frequent following shoulder or back surgery.
It will be very uncomfortable to sleep upright in a bed at this time. As a result, it is suggested that they sit on a recliner. The angled posture puts less tension on the back, which helps to alleviate discomfort. Depending on the kind of surgery, they may need to sleep in a chair for five to six weeks.
It is possible to get into a more comfortable posture by using a recliner, and this may help relieve the back pain.
Conclusion
Back Pain is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly. A variety of factors can cause back pain, but it’s unlikely that it’s due to your recliner. And if it’s because of your recliner, it doesn’t mean all recliners are bad; you just need one that’s more comfortable for you.
We hope that this article has provided you with an answer to the question that” Are Recliners Bad for Back? ‘A recliner is a better option than a regular chair if you have back problems. Recliners are a good option for your lower back as well as your neck. But, it’s important to select a recliner chair that is comfortable and supportive of your body.
FAQ’s
1. What are the reasons that recliners are unhealthy for your back?
Sitting in a chair without sufficient lumbar support might cause lower back pain. Slouching puts stress on your lower back’s ligaments and muscles, causing them to stretch, stiffen, and pain.
2. When recliners are suitable for the body?
If you find sleeping in a recliner enjoyable, you can do it with little risk. Sleeping on a chair may be more pleasant than sleeping in a bed for those who have sleep apnea, GERD, or back pain.
3. Are blood clots caused by sitting on a recliner?
It shouldn’t be bad to sleep on a chair. It may increase your chance of deep-vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a limb that can form if your arms or legs are bent for hours and you remain inactive.
4. How should you position yourself in a recliner?
When sitting against the back and seat cushions, there should be no gap between your tailbone and lower back, therefore the measurements from your tailbone to your knees should equal the length of the seat cushion on the recliner.
