Are you looking for the best office chair for sciatica?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdvsier.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What causes sciatica
- What to look for
- Top 9 best office chairs for sciatica
- And much more!
An estimated 10-40% of people are affected by sciatica.
When you have the burning pain associated with it, the last thing you want is an uncomfortable office chair that makes the pain worse.
What is Sciatica?
When the sciatic nerve in the back is pinched, it causes sciatica.
The pain from the nerve being pinched can affect the back, butt, legs, and thighs. However, the pain usually only affects one leg.
A herniated disc or bone spur pressing on the nerve are usually the culprit of sciatica.
You might experience mild pain, a burning sensation, or even numbness in the back, butt, legs, or thighs.
There are some treatment options for sciatica, but if you sit for hours every day, getting an office chair that properly supports the back is a good start.
What Are the Different Types of Office Chairs for Sciatica?
Office chairs vary in size, shape, and features. Some of the best office chairs for sciatica have high backrests with additional lumbar support and waterfall seats.
You’ll also find that they vary in back height. While most people would opt for a high back chair, some might find mid back chairs better fitting for their needs.
Some people might even find kneeling chairs to be beneficial for their sciatic nerve pain.
Kneeling chairs help relieve some of the pressure on your back and spine, making them a good fit for sciatica.
There are some office chairs available that have a lower back massager built into the back of the chair if that’s something that would help your sciatica.
You’ll just have to figure out what works best for you and your pain level.
What Do You Look for In the Best Office Chair for Sciatica?
Since sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve in the back, you want an office chair that will support the spine and hips as much as possible to limit the strain sitting has on the lower back.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is an obvious factor when finding the best office chair for sciatica.
You want one that will support the lower back to help prevent further nerve pain.
An adjustable lower back on the chair will help fill in the gap between the back of the chair and the natural curve of the lower spine.
This will help relieve some of the pressure on the lower back, so you don’t irritate your sciatica even more.
A chair that reclines will also help since you can adjust it and stretch your back out after sitting for a while.
Find a chair that offers adjustable armrests as well.
Having your wrists in an uncomfortable position while sitting at a desk can increase the risk of carpal tunnel.
If you suffer from sciatica, you sure don’t want to add another chronic pain to it!
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support is a critical factor in the best office chair for sciatica.
Since the lumbar is the lower back and that’s where sciatica pain stems from, a good support will help alleviate some of the pain associated with it.
Lumbar support should be curved like the natural curve of the lower spine. Otherwise, there will be a gap between your spine and the chair.
This can cause slouching which will only make the sciatica worse.
Adjustability
If you’re already suffering from back pain, you’ll want a chair you can make as comfortable as possible.
That means having the ability to adjust most features of the chair, including the backrest and armrests, as well as the tilt.
Tilt control offers the ability to lean back in the chair to a certain degree.
Being able to recline in an office chair stretches the lower back and can provide temporary relief if sitting is causing your back any pain.
Comfort
Comfort is key for an office chair when you have sciatica.
Not only should the seat cushion be comfortable, but the backrest and armrests should be as well.
Mesh backing will give proper back support while remaining cool and breezy.
Ideally you want a memory foam cushion, but a nicely padded seat in general will work.
For the armrests, look for chairs that have padded ones. Otherwise, your arms and elbows might get uncomfortable after a while.
Warranty
You want a chair with a good warranty. If you’re looking for an office chair specifically to cater to your needs for sciatica pain, a warranty is especially important.
When you’re buying online, you don’t know what you’re getting until it arrives.
That way, if you are unhappy, you can return the chair for a refund and find something that would be a better fit.
A good parts warranty is a nice feature to have as well.
As with all things, office chairs have a lifespan and sometimes they become damaged before its time to get a new one.
With a parts warranty, you can simply contact the company with the problem, and they will get it straightened out.
Quality
An office chair made with higher quality materials will typically cost more than others, but if you intend on using it daily, you want something that will withstand the use.
Look for an office chair with a 5-star base and high quality casters.
Price
Once you figure out the budget you have for a new office chair, then you can start narrowing down your search to chairs with certain features.
A cheaper chair isn’t always necessarily a poorly made chair and the higher end chairs sometimes lack the quality you’d expect.
Best Office Chairs for Sciatica Reviewed
Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair
Adjustability at its finest. The unique design of this chair allows it to be adjusted more than similar chairs.
The headrest is adjustable in both height and angle, so you can set it however is most comfortable for your head and neck.
Next is the backrest. You can adjust the tilt and tilt tension as well as the lumbar depth and height included with this chair.
Change the height and distance from the seat of the armrests as well as the seat height. You can truly customize this chair to your body!
With breathable mesh, this chair allows your back to breathe when you’re sitting for long periods.
Simple assembly allows you to have this chair put together in just 8 steps.
If the adjustability isn’t enough to catch your eye, this chair can hold up to 330lbs and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Some users experienced packaging issues that caused damage to the chair, but with the warranty, that is an easy fix.
- Pros: Highly adjustable, 330lb weight capacity, 5-year warranty
- Cons: Chair might be damaged in shipping
Staples Hyken Technical Chair
With a modern look and breathable mesh, the Hyken Technical chair offers cool comfort that will fit in any office.
The mesh of the chair, while soft and breathable, is tough enough to support users up to 250lbs.
Easily adjust several features of this chair to conform to your needs. You can change the seating angle and height as well as each armrest for the perfect fit.
Best of all, its cheap!
The headrest might have a little wobble to it though, making it uncomfortable for some users.
- Pros: 250lbs weight capacity, mesh, adjustable, cheap
- Cons: Headrest wobbly
La-Z-Boy Delano
It’s no surprise La-Z-Boy made the list. While most people may recognize the name as a popular one for recliners, they also make office chairs that won’t disappoint.
Memory foam cushions conform to your body, giving you maximum support and comfort.
The lumbar panel is contoured, targeting the support to your back exactly where you need it.
This chair is fully adjustable, from the height and recline to the tilt settings of the chair.
Not only is this chair perfect for sciatica, but it can hold up to 350lbs!
It is slightly more expensive than similar chairs and it is also made with leather, which might be too hot for some users.
- Pros: 350lb weight capacity, contoured lumbar support, highly adjustable
- Cons: Expensive, made with leather
KILLABEE Memory Foam Gaming Chair
You don’t just get a memory foam cushion on the seat with this chair, you also get memory foam on the lumbar support.
A detachable padded headrest is included, providing your neck and spine with optimum support. No computer hunch here!
The KILLABEE Memory Foam Gaming Chair can be highly customized to fit your exact body type.
You can adjust the height, tilt of the backrest, back pressure, and the armrests.
The armrests even adjust in 3 different directions, so they’ll always be where you need them.
Due to its heavy-duty design, this chair has a maximum weight capacity of a whopping 400lbs!
Enjoy a 1-year warranty on parts for the chair, so if anything goes wrong you can get it fixed.
Some users have experienced a slight wobble with the chair.
- Pros: 400lb weight capacity, highly adjustable, memory foam cushioning
- Cons: Chair might be wobbly
SIHOO Ergonomic Desk Chair
With five adjustable parts, this office chair knows ergonomics for long-term sitting.
You can adjust the back support, headrest, height of the seat, tilt of the seat, and the armrests.
Tilt control allows you to position the chair at 110, 116, or 126 degrees and the S-shaped backrest gives your lower back the support it needs.
The waterfall seat reduces the pressure on your legs. Pair that with the back support and you’ll notice a difference in your sciatica pain while sitting.
The cushion is made from high density sponge that is not only soft, but supportive.
SIHOO offers a better warranty than many other manufacturers, giving buyers a 3-year warranty on parts and accessories.
A few users had issues with the quality of the chair after several months but contacting SIHOO regarding the warranty will get the problems fixed.
- Pros: Waterfall seat, highly adjustable, 330lb weight capacity
- Cons: Might need warranty replacement after months of use
KOLLIEE Mid Back Office Chair
This mid back office chair is simple, yet effective. With a full 360 degree swivel and adjustable height, it is ergonomically pleasing.
The chair is constructed in a way that mimic human orientation, reducing back pain caused by sitting for long periods.
While you can’t lock the tilt on this chair, the rocking motion does allow for the chair to be tilted roughly 30 degrees.
High density mesh is used for the back, allowing air flow while in use. A high quality gas lift cylinder makes adjusting the chair simple and quick.
While the armrests can be flipped up, they cannot be adjusted more than that which some might find uncomfortable.
- Pros: Mesh backing, flip up armrests, tilt up to 30 degrees, cheap
- Cons: Armrests not adjustable beyond flipping them
Dowinx Gaming Chair
Are you looking for an office chair that offers massages while you’re using it?
The Dowinx Gaming Chair has a USB massager built in, so you can plug it into your computer, an outlet (with adapter), or even a power bank.
Smooth racing caster wheels allow for easy mobility.
You can even catch a nap in between working since this chair offers reclining angles from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.
Adjust the head and lumbar pillows, then kick out the retractable footrest for some real comfort while working.
High density foam composes the cushion, giving support for all body shapes without the foam wearing down.
The details you need to assemble the chair are included, but if you have trouble, you can contact the 24/7 support team.
Dowinx offers a 1 month replacement on the chair and a 1 year warranty on parts.
Several people have reported the chair squeaks and makes other noises with repeated use, which might be annoying to some.
- Pros: Massager, 1 year warranty, high density foam cushion
- Cons: Chair is noisy
Oline ErgoPro
The ErgoPro is a highly adjustable office chair crafted with premium materials for durability.
Designed to give your back the support it needs, you can adjust the headrest, armrests, height, and the knee tilt to get the perfect fit for your body.
Use the tilt tension and height adjustment recline lock to tilt from 90 to 120, to 135 degrees.
Dynamic lumbar support moves with you as you move, keeping your lower back supported and comfortable all day.
Blade wheels allow for easy gliding and won’t damage your floors.
It is a little more expensive than some of the other chairs on this list, but it is worth the price.
- Pros: Tilt lock up to 135 degrees, dynamic lumbar support, blade wheels
- Cons: Expensive
Homall Gaming Chair
High density foam keeps its shape after repeated use, keeping the chair comfortable.
The durability of this chair and the gas lift can reliably hold up to 300lbs.
Rubber casters on the base have even been tested for 1000 rolling miles!
A knob beneath the seat allows users to rock in the chair or recline from 90 to 180 degrees.
Included with the chair is a headrest pillow and lumbar cushion so you can set the chair up exactly how you need it.
However, the armrests are not adjustable which might be an issue for some users.
- Pros: Lumbar and headrest cushion, recline up to 180 degrees, 300lb weight limit
- Cons: Armrests not adjustable
Final Thoughts on the Best Office Chairs for Sciatica
According to Healthline, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and one of the most important ones.
It directly effects the ability to control and feel your legs!
Sciatica is caused by underlying injuries or issues involving the sciatic nerve.
The sensation you get when you have sciatica can range from moderate to severe pain that goes from the back all the way down the legs.
You might even experience numbness or weakness in those areas as well.
A common cause of sciatica is a herniated disk. This happens when the cartilage between your vertebrae rips.
The substance in the cartilage compresses the sciatic nerve and results in the pain and numbness associated with sciatica.
Signs of Sciatica
- Pain that gets worse with moving
- Numbness in legs or feet
- Pins and needles in toes and feet
Treatment of Sciatica
- Cold- Ice packs or even frozen vegetables can work to reduce sciatic nerve pain. Wrap the ice pack and apply 20 minutes at a time, several times a day
- Heat- Use ice the first few days for swelling but you can switch to a heating pad after 2-3 days. Alternate between the 2 if the pain doesn’t ease up
- Stretching- There are several stretches you can do to ease sciatica. You can simply look up the stretches that work the lower back, find a yoga instructor, or even get physical therapy for the pain
- OTC Meds- Aspirin and ibuprofen can help with the swelling and pain
