Recliner chairs are indeed the perfect manifestation of what relaxation is! And this is why nothing could beat the feeling of relaxation and joy, when you rest your feet, relax your muscles, and unwind from all the hustle as you get settled in that chair.
But the moment you completely draped yourself over and tucked in underneath the blanket, the joy couldn’t last any longer because the sudden kink in your neck or discomfort in your lower spine caused you to sit again and made you wonder that; are recliner chairs bad for your back.
The answer is that it could be the source of your aches, but it shouldn’t be!
If recliners are used to aid recovery from back and shoulder surgery, why would they cause you trouble when you are physically perfect? Instead, studies have shown that sitting in a reclined position is better for your back than sitting upright.
As a matter of fact, here we are to shed some light on the debated topic and apprise you why your recliner is problematic for you.
Are Recliner Chairs Bad for Your Back – Let’s Burst the Myth!
People today are quite busy in their monotonous, fast-paced, and stressful lifestyles that they continue to exert mental and physical pressure on their bodies without even realizing it.
This strenuous exercise along with the age factor can lead to frequent aches, specifically in your back, and it’s difficult to determine whether the pain you’re experiencing is a result of daily living or your beloved reclining chair in which you lie for hours and hours.
Recliners are typically ideally constructed for user comfort, so they are rarely the source of back problems. Instead, recliners are widely suggested for improving posture, increasing back support, and alleviating pain.
Why Your Recliner Could Be Hurting Your Back
Recliners are fully safe for your back but if they are still bothering you, following could be the reason.
1. Excessive Use
To all those who are suffering from back pain thinking that it is due to a recliner, my dear fellow, you are mistaken. It’s because you have been sitting on it all day long. Over usage of anything is always a bad idea and so recliners aren’t useful for those who prefer to spend too much time on them.
Long-term sitting is not recommended because it goes against the foundation of an active lifestyle. No recliner will harm you as long as you use it sensibly to relax after a tiring day. You’ll actually get all the rest you need from it.
2. Lack of Lumbar Support
Non-ergonomic furniture that does not assist your back, damages your posture by causing you to hunch when you perch on it. Chairs and couches that do not provide appropriate lumbar support will strain your back.
Lying in a chair with a space between your lumbar spine and the seat, for example, will induce you to slouch. The slouching exerts tension on your lower back’s ligaments and muscles, forcing them to stretch, stiffen, and induce pain.
In short, your lower back should be appropriately supported in order to sit comfortably. Modern recliners from well-known companies can help you avoid this issue. These recliners provide superior ergonomic support for your posture.
3. Recliner Must Suit Your Body Type
Let’s understand this with a shoe example; Do we buy shoes that don’t fit our size? Of course, not! Because we all are well aware that a little too tight shoes might cause blisters or pain in our feet.
Similarly, your ill-fitting recliner could also be subject to lumbar pain, and aches and may lead to severity if it’s used for a longer period. Therefore, to avoid any discomfort and comfortably enjoy your chair, you must select a recliner that is the correct fit for your particular body type.
You may also be interested to read about: Best Recliner For Back Pain
What Should You Look For When Choosing a Recliner?
There is a recliner out there for everyone, no matter how tall, short, thin, or big-headed you are. You need to get the one that suits you to avoid the back pain. Here’s how to do it;
1. Your Body Size
Measures should be made:
- Length from your heel to knee
- Length from your heel to the tailbone
- Torso’s length
- Width of your body
The first two measurements will give you a decent indication of the proportions to look for in a chair when it is fully reclined. Meanwhile, the third and fourth measurements will help you to identify the perfect height and width of your chair according to your body type.
2. Dimensions of Recliner
It’s time to get your recliner proportions now after you have your personal measurements. If you want your recliner to assist you with your back ache, this is an essential step.
3. Dimensions of the back support
Fixed, dynamic, adjustable, and external support are the four most common lumbar supports available.
Any kind of lumbar support you purchase, make sure that it fits according to the measurement guidelines. The idea is to have no gap between the lower spine area and the seat cushion. You can also verify it using the measurements you took from your tailbone to your knees.
4. Dimensions of Feet
When you are reclining, your heels should hang just a little bit over the footrest. Leg tension will be avoided and adequate weight distribution will be possible.
5. Size of the Armrests
Your armrests are the next issue to address.
The likelihood that the armrests on any chair you purchase will be lower than your forearms is extremely low because that is often not how these chairs are designed.
As long as your fingers are dangling over the end of the armrest and it completely encloses your palm, it’s fine.
You may also be interested to read about: Is A Recliner Good For Your Back?
Are Recliners Safe to Lean on?
Leaning back in your chair is secure as long as your back is already in good shape. Of course, that also assumes that your chair can recline. Leaning back is beneficial for most spines when one in a comfortable office chair or recliner. It’s recommended by spine specialists to lean back at an angle between 90 and 115 degrees. Your back’s muscles and vertebrae are least stressed when the angle is between 110 and 130 degrees.
Wrapping Up Guide about Recliners Effects on Your Back
Recliner being bad for your back is one of the few deceptive theories. Until and unless you don’t have a properly fitter chair, it will not provide enough lumbar support and you’ll keep slouching in it.
On the contrary, they are beneficial to your back. Recliners are meant to provide lower back support by reclining backward as you move. Even the front of the recliner expands to allow you to rest your legs.
However, you can avoid this by purchasing a recliner that is a good fit for you or by using a pillow, and may now rest in it without fear of injuring your spine.
