Which armchair for back pain?
Do yourself some good
Whether at work or at home, it's important to choose an ergonomic, relaxing armchair that's suited to your body shape. This allows you to sit comfortably and relieve your lower back.
This is even more true for people suffering from more or less severe back pain, or anyone wanting to support their back and be well-seated to avoid such pain. In this sense, a French scientific study reveals that raising your legs to heart height is the best position for relaxation. (1)
Buying an armchair for back pain is therefore not an insignificant act, especially when you have back problems. Opting for an armchair adapted to your body shape is important, but what specific parameters should you look at?
Discover all the important elements for choosing an armchair adapted to your back problems that will allow you to relieve pain and relax.
Choosing an armchair for yourself
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Seat height and depth
The seat height and depth. These features should be carefully considered based on your height and build. Seat height is generally between 40 cm and 50 cm. If your feet touch the ground and you are comfortably seated, then the seat dimensions are right for you!
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The recline of the backrest in a fixed position
The aim here is to leave no gap between your back and the backrest (mainly at the lumbar level). This way, the armchair will fit you perfectly. An armchair with armrests is highly recommended when suffering from back pain. They will be very useful when sitting down and getting up without straining your lower back. To check your good posture, you should be able to rest your elbows on the armrests, forming a right angle (90°). In our range of relaxation armchairs, we therefore advise you to opt for a model with high armrests to facilitate your mobility. This is particularly the case for the VEGA armchair, the NAOS or even the COSY. Also, if you are likely to remain in a seated position for long hours (working at a desk in front of a computer, for example), the headrest becomes all the more important to support the cervical vertebrae throughout the day. All My New Design models have a headrest (adjustable or not).
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The footrest
The footrest offers an optimal sense of comfort by allowing you to elevate your legs to improve blood circulation. You are free to choose a manual recliner with an independent footrest or an electric recliner model with an integrated footrest. To avoid twisting, place your armchair in an accessible area where movements can be carried out freely and without hindrance.
Benefits of a relax armchair for back pain
A relax armchair is an ideal solution for people suffering from back pain. Here are some specific advantages:
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Optimal lumbar support : Relax armchairs are specially designed to offer maximum support for your back. Thanks to their studied ergonomics, they perfectly fit the curves of your spine, especially at the lumbar level. This precise support helps maintain good posture and reduce muscle tension, which can significantly alleviate lower back pain and prevent its worsening.
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Ideal relaxation position : The ability to recline the armchair allows you to adopt the most comfortable position for your back. By slightly lowering the backrest and raising your legs, you can reduce pressure on your spine and intervertebral discs. This semi-reclined position is often recommended by health professionals to relieve pain and promote muscle relaxation, thus offering superior quality rest.
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Improved blood circulation : An integrated footrest in your relax armchair allows you to elevate your legs, which improves blood circulation. By raising your legs above heart level, you facilitate venous return and reduce swelling in your feet and legs. This feature is particularly beneficial for people who spend long hours sitting, such as those working at a computer, as it helps prevent circulatory problems and feelings of heaviness in the legs.
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Ease of use : Relax armchairs offer great ease of use. Thanks to integrated control buttons, you can easily adjust the position of the armchair without having to exert physical effort. This is particularly advantageous for people with mobility problems or severe pain, as it eliminates the need to stand up or bend over to adjust the armchair. You can smoothly transition from a sitting to a reclined position, which makes daily use of the armchair much more pleasant and practical.
Electric armchairs for back pain
The option of an electric recliner can be an excellent solution for a person with back problems to make life easier, as it offers maximum comfort for a fragile back. In a fixed position, it must properly support your lumbar region.
The presence of a footrest allows the body to achieve a completely natural position once reclined. My New Design electric recliners for back pain all have an integrated footrest, allowing it to be easily unfolded without any effort when you switch to relaxation mode.
As we mentioned earlier, the choice of the number of motors is important because it determines whether the recline of the backrest and footrest is independent or not. A single-motor electric recliner (e.g., the AETOS) will transition to recline mode uniformly, whereas a two-motor electric recliner (e.g., the TOLMA) will offer the choice of reclining either the backrest, or unfolding the integrated footrest, or both.
Once well rested, and still thanks to the electric control (remote control or side button depending on the model), gently raise the armchair.
Lift chair for back pain
An electric recliner allows you to switch from a comfortable position to a relaxation position. A simple press of a button allows the backrest to tilt back while continuing to support your lumbar region. There are also electric recliners with one or two motors, depending on your preferences.
The lift function is an additional aid to help you get out of the armchair without straining your back. The user gently tilts the armchair forward, allowing everyone to find the right support on their feet. Simply grasp the armrests and give a small push with your feet to stand up without painful effort. It then becomes very easy to settle in comfortably or to stand up even when in pain.
Don't hesitate any longer to relax with the My New Design range of recliners for back pain!
A question? Call us at 02 98 02 02 67.
What foam should I choose for my armchair?
Firstly, it's important to understand that the concept of comfort is not the same for everyone and is often very personal. Some people prefer very firm foam to keep their lower back well supported, while others opt for something softer to avoid, precisely, aggravating certain pains.
Nevertheless, there are clear indications that inform you about the comfort of an armchair.
What is the density of an armchair's foam?
The density of the seat and backrest are two determining factors that will cause the person to sink more or less into the armchair. It is the density of the seat and backrest that will determine how much the person sinks into the armchair. You will find this information in the technical sheet of each My New Design armchair, in kg/m3.
A foam with a low density will encourage the user to sink further into their reclining armchair. Conversely, a high-density padding will be more resistant to the person's body weight, and therefore firmer.
What density for a comfortable armchair?
A good high-resilience foam seat will have a density of approximately 35 to 45 kg/m3. You will find armchairs with a relatively low seat density for our manual recliners and higher for our range of designer recliners. You are free to choose the option that best suits your needs.
For information, the seat will always have a higher density than the rest of the armchair. Indeed, it must support the entire weight of the body.
We have covered the important elements to consider when choosing a recliner, especially for someone with back pain.
A question?
If you have any other questions, we would be happy to answer them and help you choose your armchair!
