Adults in their middle years frequently contend with the persistent enemy of back pain. This issue is a usual grievance among those who consult general practitioners and constitutes a major disability concern, impacting 65% of adults in the US. It is a difficult health concern to conquer and an even more strenuous circumstance to manage on a day-to-day basis.
Even though they can have underlying issues that can result in back pain, they most often stay unidentified, and the outcome of that is a disease known as “non-specific low back pain.”
With this in mind, if you’re a recliner enthusiast or if you are planning to buy yourself a relaxing chair, are recliners good for your back pain? If you’re interested, we will discuss more about this with the help of 5 medical facts.
When it comes to finding the best recliners for back pain, there are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind. First and foremost, you’ll want to find a recliner that’s comfortable and supportive. Look for a recliner with ample padding and a firm backrest. You may also want to consider a recliner with built-in lumbar support.
Another important consideration is size. Make sure to choose a recliner that’s the right fit for your body size and shape. A too-small or too-large recliner can be uncomfortable and may not provide the support you need.
5 Medical Facts That Guarantee Aid for Back Pain
After a long and tiring day, you’d probably want to come home and slump over a chair to take a nap. Sure, couches are comfortable, but recliners have the benefit of being both comfortable and health beneficial. “How so?” you ask. Well, here are the following medically proven ways that a recliner may help you and your back ache:
Soothes Pressure In Legs and Feet
As you recline back in your chair or couch, you’re alleviating the weight and pressure off of your legs & feet. As gravity is a constant force pulling your body towards Earth, recliners help you relax your body and its muscles. However, they must be placed on the recliner to experience this relaxation. In the case that your recliner does not support your legs and feet anymore, perhaps it’s time for an upgrade.
Back Pain Relief
Are you an individual that experiences back pain? Well, good for you because placing a recliner chair in your living space will solve the issue. Some pressure will be released from your spine as you sit and lean back, allowing your back muscles to relax to reduce any discomfort. They have a specific ergonomic effect that enables you to unwind and relieve your tensed muscles. It’s a great way for everyone to live healthier lives and feel comfortable in their own body every day.
Aids With Breathing
Another issue that recliners can solve, among the other five, is aiding the improvement of your breathing. If you sit on a recliner chair, it’s easier for you to relax your body and open up your diaphragm so that you can breathe better. You can lie back and let your body release the pressure as you unwind on the chair. Any problems you have regarding respiratory issues will heal quicker with the use of recliners.
Circulation of Blood is Improved
If the force of gravity is pulling your body down, and this is difficult for your heart to maintain good blood circulation in your body. As you stand, the gravity pressures your body by pulling it down towards the feet. So, if you have a recliner, just let your tired feet and legs rest on the recliner. With a comfortable position on the seat, your immunity will strengthen and increase your body’s circulation to effectively help your body become healthier.
Minimizes Stress
Naturally, the greater benefit of having a recliner is the stress reduction it provides. Most recliners allow you to have a good time while feeling exceptionally comfortable in the living room. The chair can help you deal with tension, stress, and other mental issues, such as depression and anxiety, as it can allow you to be cozy and relaxed. The fog will disappear from your thinking, and a clearer mind will boost your productivity and skills as you do your daily things.
Benefits of Elevating Your Feet on the Recliner
When your legs and feet are rested, and they are on an elevated surface, the blood flow in your body will heighten. This is especially good if you’ve had long periods or hours where you have spent walking, standing around, or sitting. So, keeping your feet on the recliner and elevating it at the level of your heart will relieve the tension in your body, but especially the lower half.
When you keep your legs lifted and at heart level, blood can easily flow from the lower half of your body to the upper part. This allows gravity to loosen up the stress and swell in your legs and feet, effectively reducing any pain in your body. Your body muscles, as well as tendons, will feel much better due to healthy blood flow.
The upper body and lower body should have equilibrium maintained so that the back muscles are in use repeatedly, hand in hand with the core muscles. Having your feet elevated can also definitely benefit your nervous system and spine if you keep them at heart level.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Recliner Chairs
Simply sitting on the recliner is going to be good for your back, but you need to make sure your recliner has lumbar support that’s proper and comfortable for you. If your body fits like a snug when you’re sitting on the recliner, it’s very helpful when it comes to your body health. However, to attain optimal benefits, ensure that your feet are elevated at the level of your heart.
Be aware that some recliners are different from others, and they can have varying degrees of lumbar support. But keep in mind that too much time spent on a recliner can actually backfire and cause more pain to be inflicted on your back. Although you can enjoy the benefits of having a recliner to help back aches, be mindful and cautious of its cons.
You can even hurt your lower back if you pick a recliner chair that doesn’t fit you properly or comes without proper lumbar support. These types of chairs have the potential to make your back pain worse. If you choose a chair containing a gap situated between your lower back and the chair, for example, you will be more inclined to recline and cause more muscle tension to build up.
Slouching may not always be uncomfortable for individuals. However, as you keep doing this and functioning in this position, there can be strain and stress implemented on your muscles and the soft tissues in your back. The strain in your back may even increase the chances of ligament tears and tightened tendons, which will result in pain.
Wrapping Up
There is nothing to hide about the fact that recliners are amazing additions to your living space, but they are also very beneficial with regard to your health. Learning about these benefits can help you make a worthwhile purchase. However, there is a wide range of options for you to choose from.
We have mentioned lumbar support, and keeping this in mind, you can choose the right recliner that will enhance both your health as well as your home’s interior style and decor. So, we encourage you to sit with a good posture and better your spinal health with the help of a recliner.
