The answer to this question is yes. The size and shape of your back can make a difference in how comfortable you are on a sofa. A person with a taller back may find that the back of their head touches the arm of the sofa while they recline, which can cause pain in the neck and shoulders. Shorter people may find that they slouch when sitting on a sofa, causing even more pain in their neck and shoulders.
The armrests also come into play when considering whether or not a couch will hurt your back. The taller someone is, the more likely it is that they will bump their head against an armrest while reclining. For shorter people, armrests can cause discomfort by pushing their elbows out too far from their body and making it difficult for them to move around on the couch without lifting themselves up first.
How do you relieve back pain from a couch?
Use a pillow on the armrest to give your back support, and then stretch your legs out parallel on the couch. The key is to always make sure your spine is not rounded, and you are sitting tall. It’s also a good habit to never sit too long.[1]
Can bad furniture cause back pain?
The furniture you spend time on after work can also contribute to back pain. Sinking down into a soft, comfortable couch that doesn’t support good posture can create pressure on the vertebrae just like a poor desk chair.[2]
Is lying on the sofa bad for your back?
Couch sleeping may prompt neck or back pain, especially if you regularly sleep on the couch. Mattresses are purposely designed to support spinal alignment and reduce pain and discomfort10 from pressure points.[3]
What kind of sofa is best for bad back?
Always opt for a solid steel or hard-wood frame. Better yet, look for sofas with medium-firm memory foam cushions that’ll provide lumbar support and encourage good posture . Reclining Sofas – Many new sofas have recliners built-in, which takes the pressure off your spine and helps eliminate slouching .[4]
Why does my back hurt after sitting on my couch?
By sitting for too long, especially in a poor postural or slumped position you can add a tremendous amount of pressure to your back, overstretch the spinal ligaments and increase the pressure on your intervertebral discs. This in turn can lead to on-going aches and pains.[5]
Can a couch cause sciatica?
Sitting causes increased pressure on the sciatica nerve as it travels below the gluteus muscles down to the leg. Avoid sitting on a soft couch for a long time or hard chairs. If you can, try walking 10-15 minutes outside or on a treadmill at a comfortable speed. Improve your hip mobility and strength.[6]
Why sitting on the couch is bad for you?
Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.[7]
Is it bad to sleep on a couch every night?
Sleeping on the couch once in a while probably won’t harm your long-term health, although you may wake up with a crick in your neck. That said, sleeping on your sofa every night can put you at a higher risk for some health conditions, such as chronic back pain and neck pain.[8]
How do you relieve lower back pain?
Keep Moving. You might not feel like it when you’re in pain. Stretch and Strengthen. Strong muscles, especially in your abdominal core, help support your back. Keep Good Posture. Maintain a Healthy Weight. Quit Smoking. Try Ice and Heat. Know Your OTC Medications. Rub on Medicated Creams.[9]
Are recliners bad for your back?
Are recliner chairs bad for your back? Slumping and hunching is bad for back pain, upright can be too. But reclining is not bad for back pain. In fact, research has identified that sitting in a reclined position is better for your back than sitting upright.[10]
Why are couches more comfortable than beds?
You may sleep better on the couch because typically your head will be raised up higher than in bed. Sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up can be a great short-term fix and lead people to sleep on the couch for this reason.[11]
Is it better to have a firm or soft couch?
If your sofa would be used to host guests often, a firmer sofa would definitely be the better choice, as a soft sofa is much less durable. A firm sofa makes sitting upright and talking easier, as compared to sinking back on a soft seat, providing a comfortable talking environment.[12]