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These seat cushions will keep your back, hips, and tailbone happy. Car Seat Cushion For Pressure Sores
Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
If you spend a lot of time sitting during the day, you may have experienced the discomfort caused by a bad seating arrangement. Studies show that sitting for extended periods of time can lead to increased stress and pressure on your back, neck, arms, and legs, which can add strain to your back muscles and spinal discs. It can even weaken your core muscles and increase insulin resistance, says Alice Chen, MD, physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery. To prevent the pain from spending a long time in a chair, consider using a seat cushion for additional support and comfort. The best cushions offer comfort and can also help improve posture, alleviate pain, and prevent slouching.
To help you find the seat cushion, we tested the best seat cushions on the market based on expert guidance in our testing lab. When evaluating each product, we considered the comfort, support, value, and quality of the cushions. A physical therapist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy surrounding what to look for in a seat cushion, who could benefit from using one, and whether they help alleviate back pain.
Investing in a quality seat cushion is a great way to provide more support to your back without buying a new ergonomic office chair, which can be expensive. If you're considering a seat cushion, you'll want to think about the shape of your chair. Some chairs are already curved to support the lower back; adding a seat cushion can remove this support if the cushion is too thick. We've included a few cushion types on this list, including lumbar, square, and backrests, so look for an option that suits your chair and specific pain type.
Seat cushions for back pain come in different materials. Memory foam is one of the most common, but be aware that memory foam tends to trap heat and may cause sweating throughout the day, so it's best to look for an option with a washable cover. Firmness and thickness are down to personal preference, says Kevin Lees, DC, director of chiropractor operations for The Joint Corp, who stresses that it's important to choose a cushion that won't add pressure to the legs and constrict blood flow.
The Vaunn Medical Lumbar Back Support Pillow provides amazing comfort and support while keeping your spine and hips aligned. Once you sit down, you won’t want to get up—it’s just that comfortable. Plus, it comes with a gel heating pad for those days when your back feels extra achy. Just heat it up, and you’ll have warm comfort that lasts over 20 minutes. Or, if you prefer, you can cool the gel pad, which is handy if you have an injury that could benefit from numbing. We found this seat cushion to be the perfect mix of plush comfort and firm support, so you can have the best of both worlds. Overall, it’s a high-quality seat cushion worth every penny yet feels like you’ve spent so much more. For the price, support, and comfort that this product offers, you cannot go wrong.
As one of the more budget-friendly options on our list, the Bonmedico Standard Memory Foam Seat Cushion is a great option for alleviating back pain without breaking the bank. And even though it’s affordable, it never lost its shape over time. Even after prolonged use during testing, it continued to function as promised. What’s more, we found it kept our spine aligned and allowed us to maintain good posture while sitting without much effort on our part. This characteristic makes this seat cushion ideal for anyone prone to slouching while sitting at their desk or watching television. Still, we appreciated that this product's neutral color blends well with just about any decor and can be moved and used anywhere you need. Plus, the velour cover is removable and machine washable, adding to its longevity.
Research indicates that more than one-quarter of workers experience lower back pain each year. We love the Qutool Orthopedic Seat Cushion for those who suffer from back pain because we found that it conforms nicely to your body and offers a significant amount of back support without being too stiff. We also found that it offers a snug fit, and you won’t have to reposition yourself every few minutes as you do with some other seat cushions. The soft material makes this cushion a comfortable spot to park for a while. The Qutool Orthopedic seat cushion is ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time sitting and has back pain as a result.
With a firm and high-quality feel, the ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion is the perfect solution for those who want firm support. This seat cushion conforms to your body and allows your back muscles to relax rather than tighten while you’re sitting. It also has a unique gel cushion that provides just the right amount of comfort without causing you to sink into the material. This feature could be a real plus if you have lower back or tailbone pain from long hours of sitting or traveling. In fact, research indicates that gel cushions may be a more effective way to alleviate lower back pain for occupational drivers who sit for an extended period of time. When testing, we loved how the grippers on the bottom of the cushion kept it secure in one spot. We found this seat cushion very well designed and were pleased with how it kept our entire body perfectly aligned and positioned while seated.
Firm and supportive, the Milliard Memory Foam Seat Cushion is as comfortable as it is breathable. Plus, the soft and silky fabric feels great and keeps you from getting too hot when you sit for extended periods of time. This seat cushion also does a great job of supporting your spine and keeping you aligned while you work. And because it provides comfortable support for your tailbone, you won’t feel the need to shift your weight around into different positions. This characteristic helps relieve tension in your lower back and allows you to relax in the seat. This cushion is durable, effective, and well-made despite its simple design.
Sitting at your desk for hours at a time can wreak havoc on your lower back and tailbone, but this TushGuard Seat Cushion provides just the right amount of firm support without being too stiff. The memory foam seat helped us maintain proper posture throughout the day, and the soft fabric was the perfect complement for the firm support. It even seemed to strengthen our back after long-term use. This cushion is an excellent option if you prefer memory foam, and the value is also hard to beat.
If you suffer from tailbone pain, this Purple Royal Seat Cushion should be your top pick. The firm gel cushion is covered with a soft jersey cover and kept us sitting up straight all day long. The honeycomb design helps maintain airflow throughout the day, so your legs will stay dry and comfortable even if you sit for long periods of time, as this feature prevents sweating. The cushion doesn't have any indentation for tailbone support, but the gel insert provides just the right combination of pressure and cushioning. The cushion is easy to take on the go and features two carrying straps for portability. Although there are no straps to hold it in place, the cushion does have an anti-slip bottom to keep it in place, even on the most slippery chairs.
If you suffer from indoor allergies but spend long hours sitting hunched over a laptop or slouching in your chair, the Coushy Ergonomic Back Relief Cushion is the perfect solution to ease your back discomfort. This cushion not only provided us with instant back relief but also helped us maintain correct posture while using it. This cushion has a subtle contouring that offers relief for various body and back types. Additionally, it provides a tangible level of support as soon as you rest your back against it. As an added bonus, this cushion is designed to cater to different body shapes and sizes. It's infused with bamboo charcoal and has a breathable, hypoallergenic outer layer.
To find the best seat cushions for lower back pain, we tested 28 seat cushions. Our editors worked from our on-site testing lab, using the seat cushions and rating them on comfort, support, quality, and value. Some of our testers were prone to back and shoulder pain, while others just wanted to find a quality seat cushion that prevented them from slouching. We had a nurse on-site to ensure the options kept testers in an ergonomic position and didn't cause further back pain. Additionally, because seat cushions can be notoriously hard or lose their shape, we paid close attention to the material used, how it felt to sit on, and how it held up after repeated use. We also noted whether or not the seat cushions had washable covers, straps to secure them to the seat, and a back attachment.
We spoke to a number of experts on spine and joint pain and about what makes a seat cushion effective for addressing issues like low back pain. Experts we spoke to include:
If you have a job that requires sitting for long periods of time, using a seat cushion can improve your comfort and ergonomics. This is particularly important if you are on a budget, as high-quality office chairs can be expensive, according to Kevin Lees, DC, director of chiropractor operations for The Joint Corp. However, investing in a good seat cushion can be a cost-effective alternative to provide better support.
When you're looking for a seat cushion, it's important to keep in mind that some office chairs are designed to support your lower back curves and armrest height. Using a cushion can change this support and make the chair less comfortable. Dr. Lees suggests that increasing the space between you and the chair seat can also affect the chair's support.
Likewise, if your chair already has support built in, it needs to be adjustable so that you can raise or lower it to the level you are sitting at with an added cushion. Dr. Lees adds that if you have vascular health issues (especially in your legs), you’ll need a cushion that does not create extra pressure that might constrict blood flow.
When searching for a seat cushion, consider the cushion's material and cover. Opt for a cushion that is breathable and provides comfort while seated. According to Dr. Lees, memory foam cushions can become uncomfortably hot and cause sweating if they do not have a cooling or moisture-wicking cover. It's also important to check if the cushion's outer cover is removable and washable, as keeping it clean can help increase its lifespan.
Also, Dr. Lees says to keep in mind the thickness of the cushion in relation to the chair you’ll be using it on. If your chair isn’t adjustable, you may need a thinner cushion. Dr. Chen adds that seat cushions should also offer a firm enough surface to provide support but be cushioned enough to be comfortable and mold around the contours of your body. While the thickness of your cushion may come down to personal preference, she says it should also offer stability.
According to Claire Morrow, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, a physical therapist at Hinge Health, seat cushions can help you maintain a more comfortable position for your back. While they can promote good posture, it's important to note that they are not meant to help you achieve perfect posture.
Dr. Morrow explains that when you use the cushion, you should feel comfortable and relaxed, and you should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor. After that, it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer thicker or softer cushions, while others prefer thinner or firmer cushions. Just make sure the cushion you choose allows you the freedom to change positions when needed, Dr. Morrow adds. It’s also helpful to have a cushion that you can easily put on the chair and take off or adjust as needed.
Seat cushions come in different sizes and shapes. Some offer heating or gel inserts. Choose the one that meets your needs. Dr. Lees says a good seat cushion should not cause pressure points on your tailbone or thighs. Some are firm for support and posture, while others are soft for padding but may not hold shape well.
While these cushions didn’t meet our expectations, they may still be of interest to you:
As a seasoned journalist covering health and social issues, Sherri Gordon, CLC spends a great deal of time sitting and writing. This fact, combined with the fact that she, too, suffers from lower back pain and scoliosis means she has a vested interest in helping readers find the best products to help manage and alleviate their pain. When writing reviews like this one, Sherri carefully considers medical research and doctor recommendations adding a layer of detail that ensures readers can make a choice that suits their needs.
UCLA Health. Ergonomics of prolonged sitting.
Lis AM, Black KM, Korn H, Nordin M. Association between sitting and occupational LBP. Eur Spine J. 2007;16(2):283-298. doi:10.1007/s00586-006-0143-7
Neck Support Cushion Lee JW, Lim YH, Won YH, Kim DH. Effect of gel seat cushion on chronic low back pain in occupational drivers: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(40):e12598. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012598