Best Chair For Lower Back And Hip Pain

A chair that alleviates lower back pain is a must-have for everyone, particularly those who spend long hours sitting at their desks and need the best chair for lower back and hip pain.

Whether you’re working from home or at the office, the right chair can help you reduce the risk of developing lower back pain, or even prevent it altogether.

However, choosing the right one isn’t easy because there are so many types of chairs on the market today. So how do you know which type of chair is the best for chronic discomfort?

Read on to find out more about the best chairs for back and hip pain, including what features you should look for when buying a new seat.

Chairs For Lower Back and Hip Pain Reviewed In Guide

1. SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair
2. XUER Ergonomic Office Chair
3. Steelcase Series 2 Office Chair
4. Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair – Wave
5. Eurotech Seating Vera Office Chair

Best Chairs For Lower Back And Hip Pain List

1. SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair

This well-made chair from SIDIZ is full of features at an impressive value.

You’ll definitely feel comfortable sitting within its ergonomically designed contours and are sure to love the super soft fabric that shrouds the entire seat.

No matter what your height or build is, the chair’s five lockable positions will keep you and other users supported as you sit back.

We especially love the chair’s special tilting option. The swift swipe of a lever shifts the seat forward, reducing the amount of pressure felt around the pelvis, which is a fantastic option for those with hip pain.

The seat’s waterfall edge is another great feature for those living with chronic pain. This keeps the seat from touching the thighs, keeping pressure off of the joints in your legs.

If you live in a hot climate or work in a stuffy room, you’ll appreciate the seat’s mesh backing.

Its breathable lining will keep air ventilating around your back, keeping you cool as you work.

This simple detail, along with the fixed headrest, adds to the overall comfort that the chair delivers.

Thanks to its many tilting positions and ingenious contours, short and tall people of different builds will enjoy using this well-designed desk chair.

Pros

• Waterfall Seat Edge – Lowers the amount of pressure felt on the legs and knees
• Curved Backrest – Fits the body’s contours well
• 5 Lockable Positions – Adjustable seat positions suit a range of needs

Cons

• Backrest only tilts, it doesn’t recline
• Very tall people may find the chair uncomfortable

Also available at: SIDIZ

2. XUER Ergonomic Office Chair

Our next chair is another ergonomically designed model that’s perfect for hot, sweaty days in the office.

It’s deliberately made with a breathable mesh lining across the back and headrest, allowing air and moisture to escape through.

If you spend many summer months working inside, or live in a particularly warm climate, this chair is perfect for you.

We particularly love the chair’s waterfall edge that prevents the back of the thighs from touching the seat. This lowers any pressure felt around these areas when you sit down.

If you often experience hip or leg pain, you’ll notice less stiffness in these areas compared to sitting in regular chairs.

If you live with any kind of chronic pain, improving your blood circulation is important for relieving pain and pressure around the body.

The chair has a curved, sloping design which will improve blood flow towards the legs.

This ergonomic feature, along with the waterfall edge, makes the seat a fantastic investment for those with chronic pain.

Additionally, the chair also has automatic lumbar support which adjusts to different users.

Your coworkers, friends, or family members who use the chair won’t need to manually adjust it to their liking, which is a great timesaver!

Pros

• Waterfall Edge Seat – reduces pressure felt on the legs and hips
• Automatic Lumbar Support – Support adjusts automatically for different users
• Mesh Material – Made from breathable and lightweight material

Cons

• Seat depth isn’t large enough for those with longer legs or taller people
• Maximum tilt angle of 119° isn’t the best for opening up the hips when sitting back.

Also available at: Wayfair

3. Steelcase Series 2 Office Chair

This office chair from Steelcase wins our vote for the best value ergonomic chairs currently on the market.

Like some other chair models, it’s equipped with a sloping, waterfall edge, reducing any pressure felt around your hips and thighs.

However, a key difference that makes this chair stand out is that the waterfall edge is flexible.

Fixed seat edges on regular chairs are in constant contact with your thighs, which can cut off blood flow around the thighs.

This model’s elastic seat edge prevents the back of your knees from touching the chair, improving blood flow and reducing pain around your hips and thighs.

This feature is perfect if you experience lumbar pain often.

You’re sure to love sinking into the seat’s soft, yet durable fabric. The chair resists wear and tear well, while its light plush surface keeps you feeling comfortable throughout the day.

Its foam-filled air pockets will also evenly distribute pressure across your back, so you’re sure to feel supported throughout the day.

The seat also has a weight-activated tilt feature. This mechanism automatically tilts the backrest for you, removing the need for you, or any other users to tilt it manually.

If you share your chair with your office or household, you’ll appreciate this feature!

You can modify the seat depth up to 3.75 inches, adjusting how much pressure you feel when sitting down in the chair.

At 19 inches wide, the seat has plenty of space for you to sit down comfortably. These details ensure that whether you are large or small, you’ll feel at ease using this well-equipped chair.

Pros

• Adjustable Seat Depth – Suitable for a range of needs
• Synchro-Tilt Backrest – Automatically tilts to users’ specification
• Flexible Waterfall Edge – Reduces amount of pressure around the thighs and hips

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a neck support
• Shorter people under 5’2″ may find the chair too tall

Also available at: Steelcase

4. Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair – Wave

Humanscale’s Freedom Headrest chair is a must for those with back pain.

Thanks to its automatic counterbalance mechanism, you won’t have to adjust the chair to find the best back support.

The weight-sensitive chair will instinctively recline to the best angle for your frame.

We love the chair’s assistive headrest. Your neck and head will remain supported when you lie back, but keep in a neutral position when you move back upright.

This is perfect for letting you relax when you need a break, as well as when you need to focus back on work.

The chair’s contoured cushions naturally follow the curve of your spine, supporting your back and keeping you comfortable at the same time.

The chair’s synchronous armrests are another nice detail. They simultaneously move with you, bearing the weight of your arms as you shift in the chair.

Most of the chair’s frame is made from aluminum, followed by steel and plastic.

You can trust that these sturdy materials will keep you safe in the chair, as the seat is suitable for people up to 300lbs.

The seat’s backrest can also be adjusted for different heights, appropriate for those 5’0 to 6’4 tall. Whether you’re tall, short, large, or small, your back will notice a difference sitting in this chair.

Pros

• Suitable For A Lot Of Heights – Keeps a wide range of users comfortable
• Counterbalance Mechanism – Automatically adjusts to different users
• Wide Headrest – Relieves pressure on the head and neck while sitting

Cons

• Fabric may start to bunch up over time
• Seat support isn’t very cushioned

Also available at: Humanscale

5. Eurotech Seating Vera Office Chair

If you’re looking for an affordable chair that’s full of features, Eurotech’s Vera model is the chair for you.

The seat is cushioned well to keep you comfortable throughout the day. It’s well-designed backrest follows your spine’s natural curve, bearing the weight of your lower back as you recline.

You’ll notice less pain and stiffness in your muscles as the chair spreads your weight over a larger area.

Usually a feature on more expensive models, the Vera has a tilt tension control that automatically reclines with each user’s different weight.

As you recline back, the synchro-tilt feature keeps the backrest and seat at the best ratio for your weight, so you are fully supported while you sit down.

What makes this chair stand out is its sturdy and adjustable arms. They can be adjusted in 6 different ways that suit many different seating positions.

Whether you like to lean forward, back, or to the side, your arms will remain comfortable while you shift around.

You can customize the seat’s depth and height to your liking, keeping you and others at ease as you use the chair.

It’s also available in six colors, so whether you prefer classic black or a vivid lime, this chair will look great in a range of different home decors.

Pros

• Mesh Design – Breathable and relieves pressure around the back muscles
• Synchro-Tilt Feature – Ergonomically designed to keep the user comfortable while they recline
• 6-Way Arms – Suits a range of resting arm positions

Cons

• Plastic arms aren’t covered with any soft, supportive fabric, may be uncomfortable for some

Also available at: btod.com

The Best Office Chairs For Lower Back And Hip Pain: A Buyer’s Guide

Why Do The Lower Back And Hips Hurt When Sitting?

When you remain sitting down for a long time, the lower back and hips can begin to hurt.

This is especially true if your job requires you to sit in front of a computer all day. There are several reasons why this might happen.

Spinal Pressure

Prolonged sitting can put pressure on the discs between the vertebrae in your spine.

These discs act as cushions between each bone in your body. If they become compressed, the bones rub against each other, causing friction and inflammation.

This can lead to sciatica (pain radiating along the leg), pinched nerves, and pain in the surrounding area.

Muscle Strain

Second, prolonged sitting can cause muscle strain in the muscles around the pelvis.

Also known as a lumbar strain, this can occur when you twist or overstretch muscles beyond their capabilities.

These include the gluteus maximus, quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, piriformis, and iliopsoas.

Other than tightness and soreness, straining these muscles can lead to pain that radiates down your lower back.

This makes it tight and uncomfortable to move. This can continue for the long term if the problem isn’t rectified.

Posture

It’s easy to slouch when sitting for lengthy periods. Slouching forward can place added pressure on your hips and lower back, particularly when the chair lacks lumbar support.

Poor posture can lead to hip and back pain whenever the individual sits down, whether that be for work or leisure.

Crossing Legs

Many people cross their legs at their desks without even thinking, but this can lead to several health issues.

Crossing the legs when sitting makes the body lean in one direction. This inclination can place pressure on the hips, causing pain that can resurface later.

Sitting On Lopsided Surfaces

It may not seem likely, but sitting on an uneven surface can contribute to back pain.

Surfaces that are soft or cushioned can make the body lean to the side, adding pressure on one, or both, of your hips.

More weight on one side of your body can cause bad posture, leading to further pain in the hips.

Lack Of Exercise

A lack of physical activity makes the core muscles weaker. If your core isn’t strong, it won’t support the spine as well, causing hip and back pain. You can overcome this problem

Other Medical Conditions

Those that have pre-existing health issues may find their condition worsens their discomfort.

Conditions like kidney stones, stomach tumors, and gallbladder issues can all contribute to pain while sitting.

What Features Should I Look For In An Ideal Office Chair?

If you have hip and back pain, there are plenty of factors to consider when selecting an office chair. These include:

Lumbar Assistance

An office chair with effective lumbar support will help relieve chronic pain felt in the hips and back while you sit in it.

These often have a curved shape around the lumbar area, but your chosen chair shouldn’t just be shaped in this way.

Try to look for chairs that have adjustable support, or ones that automatically contour around your body. These may cost a little more, but they are the better choice for relieving back and hip pain.

Comfort & Blood Circulation

It’s obvious why you will need a comfortable chair, but better comfort also improves blood circulation.

Increased blood flow can help the user maintain their well-being, even when sitting for lengthy periods.

This is also why a padded seat is a good idea. Seat padding will cushion your legs and lumbar area while you sit down.

It can be hard to know if a chair is comfortable or not just by looking at it, but you can make an assumption based on the materials used to make it.

Try to look for chairs that have padding on the seat. Ones that are covered with a mesh-fabric blend also keep the chair strong and maintain suitable ventilation around the user.

Adjustable Components

One of the main causes of back pain is from sitting rigidly in an office chair. Adjustable ones let the user change the chair’s form, stopping hip flexors and muscles from pulling and causing pain.

Some adjustable chairs can also be modified to work with standing desks, then folded back into their usual for later.

An adjustable chair should be the right height and width to ensure you’re comfortable. Check which of the chair’s parts are flexible, like the armrests, seat depth, and angle.

The seat height adjustments are necessary to ensure your legs are at a right angle to the floor. This is the best ergonomic position for one to sit in, as it reduces the likelihood of pain later.

You may want to make sure that your chair can be customized to suit a variety of needs.

For instance, if more than one of you shares a home office, ensure that adjusting the chair doesn’t take too much effort in the first place.

Here are a few features that you should consider in more detail:

Backrest

The hips and back are closely related, as many hip issues can cause back pain, and vice versa.

Make sure that your backrest can tilt and recline easily. The tension, and the amount of force needed to apply for the chair to tilt, should be adjustable too.

Try to keep a 135° recline and maintain a simultaneous tilt.

Forward Seat Position

If your pelvis isn’t in the right position, you may start to experience pain when sitting. In most cases, the user’s pelvis should be raised slightly above knee level.

Look for chairs with an adjustable forward seat tilt. as this will help you maintain the best position for your pelvis.

Chair Design

As mentioned above, it’s always better to go for seats that are cushioned. The padding shouldn’t be hard or saggy, it should be firm and soft.

You should also look for seats with a waterfall edge, as this will improve blood circulation to your legs and ease the pressure off of your hamstrings.

Chair Depth

A chair with enough depth should let you sit back comfortably against the backrest, but it shouldn’t add extra pressure around your thighs.

A seat depth from 17-21 inches accommodates most people, but try to find options that let you adjust this by 2 inches.

To check if the chair’s seat depth is right for you, sit in the chair and see if there’s a gap between the edge of the seat and your knees. This space should be roughly two to three fingers wide.

Height

In most cases, an ideal chair will have your legs at a rough right angle when the feet are flat on the ground.

You can find out the best seat height for you by measuring from above your knees to the ground.

This measurement will be roughly how high the seat should be, but feel free to trial and error a few more measurements until you feel most comfortable.

Seat Width

A chair should be wide enough to let you sit comfortably. but not so wide that you cannot rest your arms on the armrests.

Most individuals can do with seats around 19 inches wide, but you can double-check by measuring how wide your thighs are. Make sure you add a few inches to this number for extra room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Standing Desks Help Relieve Back And Hip Pain?

Sitting in a chair for long periods can be very hard on the hips and lower back. Standing engages your core and the muscles in your legs, but sitting down can make these areas weaker as they aren’t required.

Shifting from sitting to standing more often can help with pain or stiffness in these areas, which is why standing desks are so useful.

However, those with prior injuries should always check with their doctor before using one, as standing more often may aggravate them further.

Are Saddle Chairs Good For Hip Pain?

Saddle chairs let the user sit in a riding-style position. This reduces the amount of pressure on the back and hips.

These chairs can help increase space between the hip joints, which then lowers the amount of compression within the joint cartilage.

Sitting in this manner can help the hip joints stay mobile and healthy, but those that have stiff hips may have to work up to using one.

Some people’s muscles and hip joints may not be loose enough to sit in one for long periods.

If you have stiff hips and want to start using a saddle chair, start by using one for an hour. You can start increasing the usage time slowly as your hips acclimatize to the position.

How Do You Sit In A Chair With Hip Pain?

The best seating position for those with back and hip pain is to sit upright with your spine straight and your pelvis slightly above your knees.

Your shoulders should be relaxed and your head slightly forward.

When sitting in this way, your weight should be evenly distributed across both legs, while your feet remain flat on the floor.

Your legs should be at a rough 90° angle, though depending on your height, yours may be closer to 100°.

If you’re having trouble finding a proper seating position, try placing pillows under your knees and/or behind your calves.

Doing this will allow you to lean back into the cushions, which will support your spine and keep it aligned.