Are Recliners Bad For Your Back? Dos and Don'ts for Pain-Free Relaxation

Are recliners bad for your back? Or is using a recliner good for back pain & sciatica? As with most medical issues, the answer is "it depends".
Learn how to sit in a recliner so that it helps your back and what to avoid so that you don't make your sciatica worse.

COMHOMA Recliner Chair Massage Rocker with Heated 360 Degree Swivel

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More 4 Life
St. Louis, MO
314-941-3970

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DISCLAIMER: More 4 Life is a physical therapy clinic located in St. Louis, MO in the United States of America. David Candy (a.k.a. Dave Candy) is a doctor of physical therapy and a licensed physical therapist in the state of Missouri. This information is intended to help relieve pain and improve mobility. However, DO NOT use the information in this video or on this channel as a substitute for seeking out help from a physical therapist, physiotherapist, or other licensed healthcare professional near you. Links to products on Amazon or elsewhere are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission from purchases that you make through these links. This is a way to make this channel sustainable in order to continue providing free information.

[MsLWR-mbzr]

I liked your tips about sitting in a recliner more comfortably & then not have issues when I get up after sitting thru a TV movie!

[kathym]

I've been sleeping in a recliner after my heart attack. Laying flat increases the pressure of the lungs on the heart. I use a nice cushiony U-shaped neck pillow to support my neck. Also a piece of latex foam under my knees. Thank heavens my recliner was well made 60 years ago... firm and irreplaceable!

[roberthboyd]

Thank you for this information. This is something that I am concerned about right now.

[joeskwara]

I’m a recliner connoisseur

I have a small pillow in my low back as I find that there is a hollow area in the recliner which isn’t good for back support. I have an electric recliner.

[deevee]

I'm stuck between both I have no body ailments but I'm very active and like to rest properly so I do have a recliner but I use it for an hour at most and I get up frequently, if I stay planted for a while my hips and back start getting tense

[lyndagabriel]

Thank you so much, this was just what I was looking for. I really want to relax in my reclining loveseat, but it's been hard to find a position that doesn't hurt my lower back, which is my weak point.

[galewinds]

The thing with a recliner? If your back is hurting before you sit down in a recliner, when you get up, your back is still going to be hurting.

[siclmn]

Here is my recipe and it works. If you own a Lazyboy get rid of it. Get a stressless brand recliner and start doing these exercises every day. It will make your life wonderful. I am pain free.

[ferdinandbellavance]

Thank you very much for those great tips

[elmolewis]

Lumbar support is a key to a recliner, be it built-in or as an accessory.

[lesliefleming]

I often sleep in a recliner. It hurts to sleep on my back in a bed. Hope this isn’t bad

[jimpuff]

When I sleep in the bed, I always wind up with numbness and tingling in my limbs. When I sleep in the recliner, I don’t get that.

[tank]

Been sleeping on my reclining couch a year now, no more snoring, waking up with a headache & best of all NO tossing & turning! I never wake up with back pain either!

[silverfire]

My dad had a stroke and has a recliner with splint on lower leg . he does sit on it and sleep for a while in living room and has pain in lower leg which has now spread to knee. I am not sure using the recliner with leg rests on chair partly up is good for knees if sit or sleep for long time or is a case he is not exercising enough and is sitting even on a recliner too long.The knee pain might be something else but is worth trying adjustment in posture .

[sandiegochocolatefountains]

I got into hip pain and serious hip trouble sleeping in a recliner with knees resting in sides/arms my hip flexors got really tight and put pressure on sciatic. Now I can’t walk without tremendous pain

[essanjay]

I have to say I hate recliners! Unfortunately we bought expensive leather ones. They are just too big and bulky and feel horrible beneath the knees. I far prefer a nice fairly upright chair that supports my back with my feet firmly planted on the ground.