Best 10 Desk Chairs For Sciatica Nerve Pain To Feel Relief

If you struggle with sciatica, you know how painful and uncomfortable sitting can be. But did you know that there are specific office chairs that can help you to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by this health problem?

When it comes to choosing the best chair for sciatica, in this article, you will learn which factors you should consider, and which chair types to avoid. Finally, you can read reviews on the best models currently available in the market.

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What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition caused by pinching of the sciatic nerve, which is located between the top of the buttock and your lower back. When pinched, the pain can radiate through all of your lower back o your hips, buttock and even legs. It is most common in people who struggle with a herniated disk, bone spurs on the spine or spinal stenosis.

The Best Type of Chair for Sciatica

The best chairs for this condition are ergonomic office chairs and kneeling chairs designed to support your lumbar region, reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and provide optimum comfort for your body. Plus, the best chair should fit your specific size, so you can work without pain and discomfort.

Can An Office Chair Cause Sciatica?

There is no one definitive answer, but many experts agreed that sitting in an uncomfortable or poorly designed office chair can certainly aggravate symptoms of sciatica. Therefore, it’s important to know what kind of chair is good for sciatica. You should definitely avoid office chairs with hard or too soft cushions.

How Does the Office Chair Help with Sciatica?

Office chairs designed for sciatica work by limiting the pressure in the sciatica nerve, they help you to relieve pain. They give you some rest by providing support at crucial points during long periods of sitting. These chairs do not stop your blood circulation and prevent body stiffness and fatigue.

What To Look For In The Office Chair For Sciatica Pain?

The best chair should be designed to promote blood circulation under your tights and legs, offers excellent lower back support and alleviate back pain. To learn which other factors you need to consider, keep reading.

Build Quality

Having an office chair made from quality materials means you’ll have a durable chair that won’t crack. Go with a chair with the least amount of plastic, as it wears out the fastest. The chairs with metal and steel construction are the most durable and last for decades.

Adjustable Lumbar Support

Being a sciatic patient, you can’t miss out on this important feature. The adequate lumbar support should be comfortable and supportive. Some office chairs have curved backrests that support your natural spine curvature, while others have adjustable lumbar support. That means you can change the lumbar support height to adjust it to your body. Some advanced models support active/dynamic sitting, which is much better for your back.

The ability to recline can help you stretch your lower back while sitting and comfortably adjust. You can lean back, relax and reduce pressure on your spine.

Tilt Function & Height Adjustment

It’s very important that your office chair be adjustable, so you can find the perfect position for your body. Adjust the chair height, so you can sit with your fit flat on the floor. The tilt function will help you to find the most comfortable position for your back.

Waterfall-edge Seat

A soft, comfortable and cushioned seat will allow you to sit comfortably for long periods of time. The waterfall seat edge design makes the chair fatigue-free and will eliminate any pressure points as well. It promotes blood circulation in your legs.

Advanced Technology

Some top-end brands (read reviews of Steelcase and Herman Miller chairs) use advanced technology in the chair backrest. That technology promotes active and dynamic sitting. It is designed to flex and mimic the natural movements of your spine as you change position in real-time. This means, your back is always supported, no matter how you sit on the chair.

Weight Capacity

Make sure the chair you choose can support your weight. The average weight capacity for office chairs is 250 pounds, but if you weigh more, look for big and tall office chairs. They can support at least 300 pounds. Don’t exceed the weight limit of the office chair, it will shorten its lifespan.

Additional Feature: Footrest

The footrest provides comfortable ergonomic support for the lower limbs because it’s usually well padded. The office chair with a footrest reduces weight on the back tight and therefore the pressure on the blood vessels. It helps relieve pain and allows you to relax.

Best 10 Desk Chairs For Sciatica

The following are ten models from the best offera, each of these chairs can help to make sitting for long hours more comfortable and may help to reduce sciatica pain. Let’s check them!

Herman Miller Aeron Chair

The Herman Miller Aeron is a legendary piece of furniture. This iconic chair si one of the most ergonomic chairs ever made. There are actually three variants of the Aeron, called simply A, B and C. These letters represent the small, medium and large versions of the chair.

This chair has a higher price tag, but it’s definitely worth it. The Aeorn uses sliding PostureFit SL technology, meaning, the upper and lower section of the seatback flex and move independently, which provides dynamic back support. In addition, you can adjust the tension of lumbar support.

The tilt limiter allows you to set the angle of recline via three predefined settings: upright, recline and full-recline. The reviewed Aeron size B office chair is suitable for people 5’5” and 150 to 230 pounds. If you’re dealing with sciatica, this chair will make a difference.

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Hbada Ergonomic Recliner Chair

Hbada office chair is designed specially to allow the spine to rest in its natural position. This professional office chair offers an eco-friendly, minimalist but attractive design. Also, its durable and quality construction is made from high-quality plastic and steel.

Its five-star wheeled base allows quick and easy movement on the wooden floor, carpet or tiles. Hbada office chair is suggested for people under 5’10” and max weight of 250 pounds. It’s good for people who tend to sweat more, breathable mesh backrest promotes airflow and keeps you dry.

Synchro-tilt reclines the backrest increasing the angle between your torso and tights for a max comfortable position. Also, it offers multiple heights, tilt, lift and rock settings for added adjustability. Adjust the lumbar support to alleviate lower back pain and use a footrest to relax completely.

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Dragonn by Vivo Kneeling Chair

If you want to try out an alternative to a standard office chair, the Dragonn by Vivo kneeling chair is a good solution for you. It will take the pressure off your spine and keep you aligned. A forward-leaning seat design such as that found on a kneeling chair will reduce back pressure dramatically.

Unlike some other kneeling chairs, the Dragonn seat height is adjustable between 21” to 28”. This chair is designed with a high-quality metal base that will last for many years. Its faux leather upholstery is comfortable, durable and resists tearing.

The chair seat and knee rest are filled with a 4-inch thick cushion, providing great support for prolonged sitting. Finally, the casters on this kneeling chair are smooth, noiseless and lockable. They prevent unwanted movements as you sit.

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Hag Capisco Adjustable Desk Chair

The HAG Capisco is an innovative ergonomic chair that features a unique design. The multi-award-winning office chair stimulates intuitive and natural movement of the body in a variation of sitting postures for improved health and well-being.

The manufacturer says it will increase your productivity, creativity and concentration. So, if you looking for an office chair for a standing or drafting desk, consider this model. HAG Capisco makes it easy to sit actively in a semi-standing position.

This office chair meets ANSI/BIFMA standards and it’s backed by a 10-year warranty. The plus-shaped backrest is great for backward or sideways sitting. It features a contoured saddle seat that opens the hips for a more active, forward posture which reduces pressure on your spine and nerves.

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Office Star ProGrid Chair

If you looking for an office chair without breaking the bank, this Office Star ProGrid is the model for you. It boasts an array of ergonomic features that will help you with your issue. For a cheaper desk chair, it has a surprisingly robust seat pan that can be easily tweaked.

Its seat depth can be adjusted and can even forward pitch to reduce pressure on your hips and thighs. There is a breathable polyester mesh backrest with built-in lumbar support that will keep your back relaxed. With a lever, you can easily regular chair height.

There are three levers so modify the angle of the back relative to the seat, control tilt and forward tilt. Office Star ProGrid rotates a full 360 degrees in either direction, allowing you to reach everything you need. There is more, you can adjust the armrest height and width depending on your needs.

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Steelcase Gesture Office Chair

Steelcase produces top-of-the-line ergonomic office chairs designed also for sciatica. The Gesture is a premium chair model featuring excellent build quality, adjustability and comfort. It is a highly ergonomic chair that will perform in any work environment. It’s a bit heavy, weighing 72 pounds.

Thanks to its sturdy and durable construction, this office chair supports up to 400 lbs, which is quite impressive. Steelcase is known for its modern designs, so you can easily incorporate this chair into your stylish office. Gesture’s 3D LiveBack technology is designed to mimic the natural movement of your spine.

Other adjustment features are adjustable seat depth, fully adjustable armrests, pneumatic seat height adjustment, recline tension adjustment, 4-position recline lock and shell back and seat. Steelcase Gesture is designed to withstand 24/7 use.

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Sidiz T50 Ergonomic Office Chair

Sidiz T50 is considered a younger brother to Herman Miller Aeron, but it’s available in considerably less hard-earned fortune. It grabs attention thanks to its excellent ergonomics, nice aesthetics and reasonable price. This attractive office chair comes with a 3-year warranty.

Each component of this office chair is tested and made of solid materials for better durability. Also, it offers a wide array of adjustments. First, the seat height can go as low as 15”, which is perfect for short people. The waterfall seat edge promotes blood circulation and alleviates back pain.

One of defining features of Sidiz chair is the forward tilt seat function. You need to push the lever and the entire seat tilts forward and locks into place. Plus it features great backrest tilt and lumbar support. You can control lumbar depth and height.

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Serta Ergonomic Executive Office Chair

If you looking for an executive desk chair for your office that offers good lumbar support, then Serta is a model you should consider. This chair requires assembly, so you watch the assembly video and complete it within 30 minutes. Constructed from the quality and durable steel, it supports up to 250 pounds.

The chair upholstery is covered with bonded leather giving a dash of elegance to any workspace. The manufacturer suggests this chair for people between 5’5” to 6’4”, meaning, it’s suitable for most people. Serta uses only high-quality components that ensure durability and safety.

It features a deep, cushioned headrest for comfort and support. Also, the chair backrest and seat are filled with thick and adjustable foam. This chair allows you to adjust the armrests, seat height, and forward seat tilt. It helps you to become more productive by maximizing lower back support.

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Flash Furniture Mid-back Office Chair

If you are in the very minimal or initial stage where sciatica isn’t such a big issue, then Flash Furniture could be the solution for you. This office chair is backed by a 5-year warranty and features tested and certified parts. Its ergonomic curved backrest features breathable mesh for airflow.

Built-in lumbar support improves your posture and helps prevent back strain and muscle fatigue. Padded flip-up armrests relieve pressure from your shoulders and neck. Its contoured seat is padded with 3-inch molded foam for max comfort.

Flash Furniture features 360-degree swivel capability paired with dual-wheeled casters for easy movement. You can adjust the seat height and increase/decrease the amount of force needed to rock or recline. It’s a comfy and affordable office chair.

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Ergohuman High-back Office Chair

Ergohuman is a sturdy and durable office chair with a lifetime warranty and many adjustabilities and customization options. It boasts a somewhat futuristic look which makes it even more attractive. This chair is made of 97% recyclable components.

It meets ANSI/BIFMA standards for quality and performance, so you can rely on this chair. This office chair is equipped with a fully articulated ergonomic headrest, a mesh waterfall-edge seat and an adjustable lumbar support mechanism.

In addition, the Erohuman office chair features a three-setting tilt and lock mechanism, allowing you to set the angle of recline between 90 to 135 degrees. This chair has very strong and ergonomic lumbar support which is perfect for people who suffer from sciatic nerve pain.

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Self-care Solution For Sciatica

Before you do anything, consult your doctor and then act. Here we recommend some self-care solutions, so you can use cold therapy, hot therapy, short-term rest, yoga, stretching, posture and core strengthening, etc.

How Can I Sit At My Desk With Sciatica?

There are several ways to alleviate the pain when sitting. First, you should maintain proper body posture, especially for long sitting periods. Then keep your feet planted on the floor, and avoid crossing your legs as this constricts blood flow. Also, your computer screen should be level with your eyes.

Desk Chair Pillow

Some office chairs come with a removable lumbar support pillow. This means you can regulate pressure on the lower part of your spine during long periods of sitting. The pillow shouldn’t cause poor body posture or more pain than comfort.

Do Some Exercise

More movement and less sitting usually help when struggling with sciatica, so there are some exercises you can do even in your office. Of course, check with your doctor before you try any of these. These exercises will help you reduce acute sciatic nerve pain, improve leg mobility and range of motion, and provide muscle and soft tissue conditioning.

Is Massage Office Chair A Good Idea?

Massage therapy is an effective way to alleviate lower back pain caused by sciatica. So, choosing the massage chair with heat function will loosen and relax muscles, increase circulation, minimize the level of cortisol and improve your mood and productivity. Of course, a good massage office chair should have all the ergonomic features we mentioned in our guide.