What’s Wrong With My Recliner?

On a regular basis patients tell me just how wonderful their recliner is. They read, watch TV, and even sleep in it.  It is so comfortable, and they really love it. Oh, and by the way, that low-back is still hurting and we just can’t seem to get it to stay in place.

Sorry to the recliner industry out there, but it appears to me, at least, that’s part of your problem! I realize that they are comfortable – I enjoy sitting in them, too. But, have you ever looked at someone sitting in one? From top to bottom:

There is a cushion under your head and a valley under your shoulders. This is so that your head is propped up to see the television properly (you will have noticed that it cannot be positioned properly to read that book in your lap). After two hours of television or reading is your attention drawn to the fact that your neck is stiff, probably sore, with the possibility of a headache besides? That cushion tilts your head in a manner guaranteed to flatten every last degree of curve from your neck, with the possibility of reversal.

There is a fairly firm cushion bulging out along the upper- and middle-back, and a nice big, soft cushion for the lower-back which flattens out to almost nothing when any pressure is applied. While giving the impression of comfort, the long-term affect is almost assuredly to force a flattening of the mid-back curve, and a sagging of the lower-back which decreases that curvature as well. Can anyone say, “Oh, my aching back?”

Our spines’ curvature serves an important shock-absorbing function, and research shows that a person who has every curve falling within an extremely narrow range is much less likely to experience disc herniation or other back problems. Poor sitting posture of any sort, including that encouraged by recliner design, makes it almost impossible for our bodies to maintain those curves.

Sitting in straight-backed chairs seems to assist our bodies in sustaining those curves through better posture. At this point I need to mention that I am not necessarily referring to uncomfortable, wooden kitchen chairs. Straight-backed chairs which are well-designed can be attractive and comfortable. My office reception area is filled with straight-backed chairs and I have never had a comment that they are undesirable.

If the only thing you ever do that is hard on your back is to sit in a recliner then, by all means, enjoy. If, however, you fall more within the reality realm which most of us inhabit, finding alternative seating accommodations might just be an additional avenue to decreased back pain and increased health. At Val Vista Chiropractic we stand ready to inform and assist you no matter what choices that you make.

Getting rid of your pain,

Dr. Steven Ray, Chiropractor

Val Vista Chiropractic