In this article, we have reviewed the best gaming chairs for sciatica. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top 5.
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Do you feel radiating pain in your back, hip, and outer leg? If yes, then this can be a symptom of sciatica. The leading cause of sciatica is sitting on a hard chair for a long time. Interestingly, this is a common problem amongst gamers who spend most of their time sitting on a chair and concentrating on their screens.
Gamers spend a lot of time on selecting the right gaming PCs, processors, monitors, graphic cards, etc. but forget the most critical component of a comfortable gaming experience, and that is the chair which forms the base of their gaming exploits.
A good chair would help them in preventing sciatica, or at least in reducing the symptoms. If utmost care is not taken, sciatica can become a chronic problem and may require hospitalization and even surgical intervention. If you are a gamer for whom long hours spent in front of the screen are not unfamiliar, then invest in a gaming chair for your own well-being.
A gaming chair provides you with lumbar support for your spine and back. It is important to know the workings of the sciatic nerve and the spine, before investing in the right chair that will help you in dealing with sciatic pain.
That is why we have written this article, to give you clarity on what you should want to be looking for, and what are the best products out there that will be best for your sciatic pain.
So, What’s a Gaming Chair, and Who Needs It?
A good gaming chair employs the principles of ergonomics to make sure that your spine is not solely burdened with supporting your shoulders, arms, and head.
To look at it, you will think that there is no difference between a gaming chair and an executive chair (or office chair, if you will), and for good reason. The problem of sitting for long hours in front of a computer/laptop, with your spine eventually giving up the struggle to keep your head upright and you resorting to slouched shoulders is an unlikely commonality between gamers and office executives.
What you need is a high backrest, and neck and lumbar support to make sure that your spine is free of its burden. You also need a five-pointed wheelbase, armrests to support your hands, and height adjustability to make sure your line of sight is properly aligned with your computer.
The chair should be able to tilt back, giving comfort and support to a tired back and neck. Some gaming chairs also have in-built lighting, vibration massage therapy, and maybe speakers and USB ports, etc that give gamers that extra buzz.
Lastly, while all this is great for gamers, Sciatica is a very real problem that more than 12 million people suffered from in the US alone in 2017[1].. These gaming chairs can also be a panacea for office executives or anyone else who is struggling with chronic back pain that may indicate the symptoms of sciatica.
How to Select a Gaming Chair for Sciatica?
Design
Normal gaming chairs are designed to give the best experience to a gamer from a “gaming” perspective. But, to be honest, they do practically nothing for comfort or pain relief. All the extra features and bells and whistles are great, but the bucket seats of a racing car gaming chair will not help when you are struggling with mind-numbing pain.
Instead, look for a clean and simple design that gives maximum lumbar, back and neck support and has a padded cushion for your coccyx and tailbone that is made from either memory foam or any other such material.
Adjustability
Height adjustability and reclining backrests are a definite must-have in your chair if you are suffering from sciatica. So too should the armrest be height-adjustable? Some chairs also have additional neck support which can be removed or added as per your preference.
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Lumbar support
Lumbar support is crucial when dealing with sciatic pain. Look for chairs that provide an additional lumbar support pillow to keep it aligned. Some chairs may have this as an in-built feature, and that can be a good idea as well, provided that the pillow is at the right height as per your own body structure.
If the pillow ends up being in a place where it does not support your lumbar, then it’s a complete waste to have this feature.
Footrest
While a footrest is not a feature that you will find in most gaming chairs, it can be an excellent support to evenly distribute your weight while you are sitting on the chair. Look for this feature, and if you have to even shell out a bit extra for it, it can be a very important differentiator.
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Weight capacity
The maximum weight capacity of a chair is an indicative figure that the manufacturer puts in as a warning label. Always keep a comfortable gap between your own weight and this number. There should be a gap of at least 50-100 pounds, not just because you may end up gaining that much (god forbid!), but also because you do not want to be the guinea pig that tests the manufacturer label for defects.
If you are of heavy build, then look specifically for bariatric chairs. These chairs are made of sterner support, better and more padded cushions and provide more space both in the seating area as well as the armrests.
Next, let us move to the best gaming chair for sciatica that is available in the market, based upon the features that we have just mentioned and our analysis of the reviews and ratings given by actual users to each of these products.
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Best Gaming Chairs For Sciatica
#1 Ewin Gaming Chair
When it comes to gaming chairs, EWin is a brand that has been around for years. Their range of gaming chairs come in a number of popular models, like the Champion series, the Flash series and the Knight series, which is their newest product.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million! Ewin was kind enough to give us one of their Knight series chairs and we have unboxed it in a video for you right here:
It is straightforward to set the chair up out of the box. The packaging and delivery were fairly standard and prompt.
Ewin’s Knight gaming chair keeps both comfort and durability top of mind. We found that it supports your back in all the right places if you are suffering from sciatica.
We had two users use it for multiple six-hour stretches of gaming over a month. One did not suffer from sciatica whereas the other one had moderate sciatic pain. Both users came back saying that they were very comfortable using this chair for their extended gaming sessions.
The chair is capable of supporting up to 400 pounds of weight. It is made of high-density foam that is cold-cured. This increases the density of the foam quite like memory foam but with longer life.
The chair’s material molds itself according to the user’s shape. This means you are able to sit for longer periods of time and not feel uncomfortable.
The neck rest, as shown below was very useful for the neck and upper back areas.
We liked the placement and the material of the backrest as well. We felt that it kept the gamers’ spine properly curved and they did not get up with a stiff back or a crick in the neck.
It can also be used as an office chair for gaming.
The EWin Knight series is designed ergonomically to be used in offices as well. The lumbar and neck support pillows come handy if you have a home office and work 6-8 hours out of your chair. These will ensure your posture is properly taken care of when you’re pounding away at your keyboard for extended durations of time.
The chair can be adjusted completely and can lean back up to 155 degrees. It is simple to adjust the height of your feet as well.
Ewin’s Knight series is ideal for heights from 5’3″ upto 6’3″, making it suitable for most people, except for those who are taller than average.
Pros
- Very comfortable PVC leather cover
- Super high-density cold-cured foam makes extended periods of seating easy on the back and the backside
- Neck and lumbar support pillows that help to reduce the chance of developing sciatica
- Supports a height that ranges from 5’3″ to 6’3″
- Sturdy, high quality and easy-glide wheels
- 5 year replacement warranty (on additional payment)
Cons
- The armrests could be slightly further back. Once or twice, we felt it come in the way while playing
Ewin Racing Gaming Chair – Summing Up
Ewin Knight gaming chair is a great option if you are suffering from sciatica. It keeps your back and neck supported. It also doubles up as a good office chair.
If you are looking at buying just one chair for gaming and office use and you suffer from sciatic pain, we recommend that you go for it.
Ewin shared a 20% discount code for our readers. Use the code CHAIR20 to get a 20% discount on Ewin chairs below:
#2 Homall Gaming Chair For Lumbar Support
The Homall gaming chair is ideal for home use as well as office use as it provides comprehensive support to the lumbar. Sciatica pain therapy depends a lot upon lumbar support, therefore this really is a must-have feature.
The chair has an additional neck support pillow for resting your neck. While doing work for a more extended period, the back gets numb but with this chair one not only feels comfortable but energetic too.
It is fashionable and sturdy, as well as durable. The casters of the chair resemble the wheels of a racing car, and have been extensively tested.
The chair also has an in-built rocking function, wherein you can move your chair between 90-150 degrees. You can adjust this facility using a knob provided at the bottom of the chair.
The height of the chair can increase from 17.3 inches to 21.5 inches, by using the gas spring cylinder based height adjustment function.
Pros
- Perfect for the office, home, gaming parlors, and even expensive salons.
- PU leather makes the chair durable and comfortable.
- Ergonomic style, with adjustable headrest and rocking function
- Provide ultimate lumbar support and is perfect for those having sciatica pain.
- Available in 9 different colors for one to choose from.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- Can bear weight till 300 pounds only therefore not suitable for those who are of a heavier build.
- Has a small base and a considerable back length that makes it uneasy for people with a larger behind.
Here we have a video below featuring Homall Gaming Chair with headrest and lumbar support.
#3 BestOffice Ergonomic Gaming Chair for Sciatica
The office chair is comfortable from everywhere you see it. It is highly convenient and cushioned to provide maximum comfort while sitting on it for work or gaming.
Premium PU leather fabric is soft and wears and tear-resistant. Cleaning the chair is also very convenient. One can adjust the chair at an angle of 90 degrees, 100, 130, and 150 degrees according to preference.
The casters can easily swivel for 360 degrees to give you maximum mobility. The base is made from heavy-duty metal which makes it extremely stable and durable.
The bucket style seats provide maximum comfort for long hours spent in front of the gaming console. There is a convenient headrest pillow as well for complete support to the neck and head.
Pros
- Convenient to assemble.
- The cushion seat provides maximum comfort.
- Leg rest provides support while relaxing in the sleeping position of 155 degrees.
- The ergonomic design helps to maintain the natural posture of the body.
- 360-degree swivel casters
- Adjustable Headrest and lumbar support pillows
- Bucket seats for those long stints in front of the gaming console
- Available in 6 color options
Cons
- Can withstand weight up to 250 lbs.
- Regular usage makes the base structure flat and uncomfortable.
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#4 GT Omega Elite Gaming Chair with Ergonomic Lumbar Support
The GT Omega elite chair comes with pillow support for the lumbar region. With the headrest, the chair is very comfortable for long hours of work/gaming.
The alloy wheels on the chair are durable and provide perfect mobility. The chair can be bought in 4 different colors for one to choose from between combinations of black with blue, white, and red.
The armrests are 4D adjustable to provide maximum control to the arms while playing on the chair for long hours. The stylish looking chair is orthopedically designed for giving perfect alignment to the body.
It can support up to 265 pounds of weight and it has an adjustable height of 10 cm. The base is 53 cm wide and the backrest is 91 cm high, making it a perfect fit for people of average height and build.
There is a tilt locking mechanism on this chair, wherein you can lock the chair’s recline between 85-190 degrees. 2mm thick steel beams within the chair frame give it strength as well as durability.
Pros
- 85-190 degree tilt locking mechanism for multiple uses – work, gaming, watching a movie or just lying down.
- The chair is available with a headrest and a lumbar support pillow for maximum back
- Available in 4 colors and styles
- 4D armrest to provide maximum arm support.
- Easy to move alloy wheels.
Cons
- Withstand weight up to 265 pounds
- The seat is a bit slippery during hot summer days.
#5 Hanover Commando Ergonomic Chair With Lumbar Support
The Hanover Commando Ergonomic With Lumbar Support And Adjustable Gas Lift Seating comes with a metal frame that makes it very sturdy. The seat is comfortable and has breathable padding helps to keep you comfortable while you go about your gaming adventures.
The stylish design makes the chair suitable for office, study, library, or home. Swivel wheels are ideal for providing perfect mobility. Assembling the chair is very convenient, and it just takes 10-15 minutes to assemble it. There are five different color combinations for one to choose from.
The chair has height-adjustable armrests, extra lumbar support, a headrest, and cushioned seating that make it perfect for patients of sciatic pain.
Pros
- Breathable and comfortable padding
- Headrest, lumbar support, and cushioned seating
- Height adjustable armrests for giving support to your arms
- The metal frame makes the seat sturdy and reliable
- Ergonomic structure and design make it unique from other gaming chairs.
Cons
- Not suitable for tall people.
- Not very budget-friendly.
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#6 Hbada Gaming Chair for Sciatica (With HeadRest)
The Hbada chair is a perfect chair for gaming. It has adjustable seat height and adjustable armrests. The wheels are beautifully designed and can swivel a full 360 degrees.
The chair has a strong and durable wheelbase design and is comfortable yet durable. The headrest is removable and adjustable according to one’s preference. It is made from PU leather that is comfortable and easy to clear.
The metal body of the chair makes it suitable for heavily weighted people too. It can hold weights of 330 pounds. The chair can work in three modes: 100 degrees, that is the working mode, 120 degrees, or the reading mode and the relaxing mode at 155 degrees.
Pros
- Very comfortable and sturdy built.
- Durable chair with Strong PU leather coating.
- Breathable foam that makes the chair soft and comfortable.
- Racing caster like wheels makes the chair highly mobile and long-lasting.
- four color options to choose from.
- Budget-friendly piece of furniture.
Cons
- With only one year warranty.
- The back is longer than the base.
#7 HEALGEN Tall Gaming Chair with Footrest
The HEALGEN Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Footrest is another good addition to our lineup of gaming chairs that are ergonomically designed for sciatica support.
One of the best features of this chair is its retractable footrest. If you remember, we had made a point in our buyer’s guide on footrests being great for weight distribution but a rather uncommon feature among gaming chairs.
Another nice feature, but not unique is the reclining capability between 90-155 degrees, with a tilt locking feature to make sure you can lock yourself into a comfortable position.
The chair construction is immaculate with PVC leather coating, over a high-density foam which makes for maximum comfort and durability. The chair has a solid steel frame which makes it very sturdy and reliable.
The base of the chair is made from 5 smooth-rolling casters, that are tested to be capable enough to support up to 1100 pounds of weight!
There is removable lumbar support and headrest with linkage armrests that are also thick and padded for extra comfort, which makes this a good chair for people with lower back and sciatica related problems
Pros
- Retractable footrest for equitable weight distribution
- Strong PU leather coating for comfort as well as durability
- An all-steel frame that makes the chair very reliable and strong
- 360-degree swivel casters which can support a weight of 1100 pounds
- Reclining feature from 90-155 degrees, with tilt lock
- Extra pillow for lumbar and head support, linkage foam coated armrests
- 30-day replacement and money-back guarantee
Cons
- Chair assembly instructions are a bit confusing
- The padding on the chair is a bit hard as per a few customers
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Conclusion
A gamer always needs to have the best accessories for enhancing their gaming experience but at the same time, they must not compromise their health.
Sciatica is nothing to joke about, and if you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica, you should take immediate precautionary steps to improve your sitting position with added lumbar support, neck, and headrest, and cushioned seating, along with an ergonomically designed chair that promotes good body shape.
In this article, we have selected the best gaming chair for sciatica based on the features mentioned in our buyer’s guide and the ratings and comments mentioned by actual users on Amazon.
In our opinion, the Hbada Gaming Chair Ergonomic Racing Chair High Back Computer Chair with Height Adjustment Headrest and Lumbar Support E-Sports Swivel Chair with Adjustment Footrest,Grey and Black is the best choice among the various options that we have considered because it provides maximum back support to the users and comes with all the necessary features.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Homall Gaming Chair, Office Chair High Back Computer Chair Leather Desk Chair Racing Executive Ergonomic Adjustable Swivel Task Chair with Headrest and Lumbar Support (White), which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
While we make every effort to provide updated and correct information, the advice given in this article and website should not be construed as “medical advice”. Please consult with your physician or medical practitioner before using any gaming chair for sciatica. Each individual may have his or her unique issues and your medical practitioner is the best person to decide the best gaming chair for sciatica for your case.
References:
[1] https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4855544/sciatica-epidemiology-forecast-2030
