Orthopedic chair cushion - how to choose the best, types

We know a lot about bad habits. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs take away our health. This is information from my school days. It’s a pity that few people are concerned about the problem of sitting for long periods of time. The harm it causes is worse than smoking! This is an unnatural state for the nature of a human being. This is the structure of our body. It must move. About 150 years ago this was the case. People worked in the fields and came home with sweat on their shirts. Sitting was required to take a break from the upright position. Now people sit for 13 hours a day, or even more. The consequences are sad:

Danger to the spine. Especially the lumbar region. As a result, disc protrusion, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia and chronic back pain. One of the recommendations after removal of a hernia of the lumbar spine is a ban on sitting for 6 months.
Varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Stagnation occurs in the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities. In this condition, blood clots easily form.

Broken blood clots pose a threat to life.
Metabolism decreases. This will lead to endocrine disorders, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Increased cholesterol and “bad” blood lipids. The risk of cardiovascular diseases is many times higher.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Sluggish peristalsis will provoke digestive disorders and constipation.
Tendency to depression and mental disorders.

Indirectly, “long-sidosis” contributes to the development of cancer and diseases of the genitourinary system. Prevention of such consequences is the use of an orthopedic pillow on a chair. This is a useful invention necessary for those who constantly sit.

Consult your doctor about your choice, especially if you already have health problems.

Who needs it

Categories of people whose sedentary lifestyle is dictated by the specifics of their work. These are the professions of driver, pilot, secretary, office worker and students.
People with poor posture and spinal problems.
Pregnant women in late stages and in the early postpartum period.
For wheelchair users (prevents the formation of bedsores).
Those who have suffered trauma to the sacrococcygeal region and surgery in the small pelvis.
Men with prostate diseases and anyone with hemorrhoids.
People with chronic pelvic pain.

Advantages

There are many models, different in shape, size, and purpose. You can take both universal pillows and more narrowly targeted ones (for specific diseases).
Non-toxic, antimicrobial impregnated, hypoallergenic. There are no large cavities in the structure of the material, so dust and dust mites do not accumulate. Suitable even for the most sensitive.
Prevents back strain and fatigue, normalizes blood flow.
You can use a couple of pillows for different purposes (for example, for the tailbone and for the lower back)
Compact, you can carry it with you, use it at work, in the car and at home.
Long service life.

Flaws

It does not relieve a person from illness and does not solve the problem of sitting for long periods of time.

After a couple of hours, movement is necessary. Sometimes the orthopedic effect can only be achieved in pairs (for example, a headrest and under the lower back).

There are difficulties in care. Not all products are washable (only a removable cover is allowed); dry cleaning is excluded. It is not recommended for use in children under 14 years of age under the back (lumbar lordosis is less than an adult). Please note that there are many things on the market masquerading as orthopedic pillows. Some inflatables and those made from class “T” foam rubber are not like this.

Types of orthopedic pillows

Depending on where you will mount the product, there are:

Orthopedic cushion for sitting on a chair

It lies on the base of the chair under the tailbone. The benefit is that the load on the sacrococcygeal region is reduced. Blood circulation in the perineum and pelvis improves. It can remember the contours of the body (anatomical) or be a permanent structure.

There are different shape options

An orthopedic ring pillow is one of the most comfortable options, especially for a chair. There is a hole in the center of the product, thanks to which tension is relieved from the entire central part of the crotch. It can relax muscles and reduce pain from hemorrhoids. Provides good prevention of bedsores. The anatomical shape supports normal lumbar curve. This is a universal option for various types of armchairs and chairs, supporting a weight of more than 100 kg.

The circle shape ensures uniform distribution of the load on the body. It looks like an inflatable ring. The most common, fits any seat, take it with you on a trip! It is good to use for pregnant women and after childbirth, for the prevention and treatment of postural disorders.

The square or rectangular shape fits well on the seat without sliding to the side. Gently follows the curves of the body and thus evenly distributes the load on the pelvic muscles. Drivers and office employees love her.

Orthopedic pillow under the back on a chair

Fixes on his back and relaxes the spine. Effectively used in conjunction with a seat cushion. Easy to attach to any chair (the main thing is that there is a sufficient backrest). You just need to adjust it to your height. There are varieties here too.

Lumbar pillow - for the most vulnerable part of the spine. It maintains natural lumbar lordosis.

Under the entire back - long with a headrest. The latter can be purchased separately. Such designs can make prolonged sitting comfortable for a long time.

Mesh pillows are popular because they provide good ventilation. They can be with or without a massage effect.

Benefits of Using Gel Seat Cushions

It often happens that people need seat cushions because they are in pain. Many times, orthopedic pillows are purchased without a second thought, simply to tolerably improve the comfort of a dining chair or a slightly uncomfortable office chair. In other cases, gel pads are used because people are experiencing chronic pain. Whether the pain is chronic, from a slipped disc, degenerative disc disorder, failed back surgery, fibromyalgia, or a number of other conditions and illnesses, purchasing a gel pad that can help relieve pain is an important decision. A more typical reason to buy seat cushions is to improve the overall comfort of an everyday chair. Perhaps a seat cushion that has been in use for over a decade is worn out and simply too thin to provide comfort for people still using the chair. In this case, buying a new one is a good idea. This will keep your favorite chair in use for longer. And since modern seat cushions are now much stronger than they've ever been, it's unlikely that you'll need to purchase another option in the near future. Seat cushions are also useful for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. In this case, wheelchair users tend to sit for long periods of time, much longer than the average user who may simply be using an airbag in the office or at the dinner table or if they are a truck driver for their long hauls across the country. In this case, the wheelchair pillow is often made from air bags, but gel pillows are also often used. Find out which lumbar cushion is best to buy. Air cushions come with pumps so that the cushion's hardness can be adjusted to the user's comfort.

Filler material

This is the basis on which the quality and durability of the product depends. Give preference to real raw materials, there are a lot of fakes.

Latex based

The most common option. It is a rubber foam. A chair cushion made from this material can be square, round or rectangular. Main advantages:

Comfort. Elastic and soft due to air-filled granules.
Durable. Service life exceeds 10 years.
Takes an anatomical shape.
It can be washed (machine and hand).

Viscoelastic foam

This material adapts to the sitting position and holds it while it is warm. This is a unique property of memory. It is good to use for chairs. The advantages don't stop there.

Safe for health, environmentally friendly raw materials.
Uniform load distribution.
Anatomical.
Wear-resistant.

Polyester

The cheapest, but not inferior in quality. The structure is small balls in silicone lubricant. Has a number of advantages:

Keeps its shape.
Very soft, comfortable to sit on.
Possibility to adjust the height. To do this, simply remove some of the balls.
Tolerates any type of washing.
Will last a long time (more than 10 years).

Inflatable chair cushion

This is an interesting and practical option. You can deflate it and put it in your purse. Universal to use (at home, in the car seat, in the office).

Product advantages

Variety of shapes. It is used as a cushion for sitting on a chair (armchair) and for the backrest. There are also options for the neck and back of the head.
Able to transform and take on different appearances.
Take her on a trip or trip. There are models for sleeping.

Why and who needs gel seat cushions

Of course, it is true that in our modern world we spend more and more time sitting. If you are an office worker who is glued to your office chair, sitting there for six hours, or you have a fussy child who sits uncomfortably at a wooden school desk, or perhaps you are an elderly person who spends a lot of time sitting in a chair -a rocker that simply doesn't have enough support, choosing a seat cushion can be a wise investment.

Gel pillows are extremely effective in relieving all types of pain and discomfort, as well as promoting the overall health of your body, especially your spine. Spinal health in particular can be greatly improved by using a gel seat cushion. We often neglect this area of our body, subjecting it to a lot of aggravations that evolutionarily humans simply never had. That said, let's take a look at some of the main uses of a gel pad.

How to choose the right one?

Please note that in case of treatment, the pillow model should be advised by the doctor, not the seller. When choosing, your task is to pay attention to the following:

Who to buy from? It’s better to buy from the manufacturer or a trusted store. But not at the market or in a tent. The product must have a quality certificate. If it is not there, then no one can guarantee health safety. Read the information on the supplier's website and compare it with the model you like. If differences are found, this will indicate a fake.
What model and shape? What do you sit on most often? Chairs and armchairs have different bases and backs. A rectangle works well for a seating chair. The ring shape will fit anywhere. For the lumbar spine, the best option would be an oval or circle. Better for buttocks

buy a bulk product. Be sure to sit on the pillow (it's made of polyethylene) in the store and test it for yourself!
Filler. The degree of rigidity depends on it. Polyurethane is the hardest. Gel ones, on the contrary, are soft. Latex is universal. Foam is better for those who do not have problems with posture. The optimal choice is medium hardness, the most comfortable for the muscles.
Size. If the pillow is smaller than your buttocks, it will increase the pressure on your back.

Usually they produce standard sizes of width (35-40 cm), thickness (10-15 cm), height (up to 37 cm).
Service life and warranty. It's better to take one with a long term. Small (up to 5 years) speaks of material whose quality is suffering. This pillow will quickly lose its shape. An important criterion is convenience!

Top Best Inexpensive Seat Cushions

Gel cushion Egg Sitter on the seat to relieve tension

It is designed specifically to help eliminate pain associated with various pain conditions, including lower back and sore tailbone. The dimensions of the pillow are 40 x 39 x 3.5 cm and it weighs 2.5 kg. Consider the best orthopedic back braces.

The cushion distributes body weight effectively and is made to create a healthy posture to complement the contour and shape of the human body. The bumps that you can see on the outside of the cushion are made to facilitate ventilation. Therefore, there will be no sweating especially if you use this roller for a long time.

This gel e pillow is especially good for wheelchair users due to its cooling technology. Additionally, the bottom of the pillow has anti-slip material that helps the pillow grip any surface you sit on. Another thing we liked about this pillow is that it includes a useful carrying bag to help make transportation a breeze.

Consumers report using this gel pad to relieve sitting pain associated with a variety of conditions from degenerative discs, scoliosis, sciatica, and general low back pain.

This is truly one of our top recommendations because it is a dynamic and high-quality gel pillow made by a reputable manufacturer that also provides a one-year warranty.

Gel seat cushion AUTOLUXE AT-1522

This seat cushion is 5cm thick. It measures 40*45cm. This gel pillow is ideal for a wheelchair user, but is also a great option for those looking for a really high quality and durable pillow for the office or even the car.

The gel pack will never dry out - this is one of the main advantages of these types of pillows.

It comes with a hard-wearing black lid and a carrying handle. It is specifically designed to relieve pressure by distributing weight outward and away from pressure points. The pillow is useful for those who want to prevent pressure in the spine. Review the best posture correctors in this article.

The more it contracts, the more it is pushed back, which means an increased risk of pain. This bolster has been tested to be effective for people with back problems. Some users report moderate relief from chronic pain associated with tailbone soreness, failed back surgeries, and also favor its high tolerance and weight limit of 150 kg or more

Overall, this is a high-quality, medical-grade gel pad design for relieving and preventing pressure pain, and is more than comfortable for everyday use.

How to use

Chair seat cushion

Cannot be used on a soft seat. There will only be harm - the sunken buttocks will compress the veins of the anus and perineum, disrupting blood flow.

Everything is easy with the anatomical model. There are convex-concave landmarks and you won’t be able to sit any other way. The ring model is seated in the center. The simplest criterion when landing is that you should not feel pressure on the perineum. If there is discomfort, then you are sitting incorrectly.

Orthopedic back pillow

Attach it to the back of the chair (armchair) so that it supports the lower back (protrusion in the area of lumbar lordosis). The belt can be vertical or horizontal. You should be comfortable when you lean back.

Design and principle of operation

An orthopedic back or seat prevents many diseases. These products help maintain correct body position and prevent diseases of the hip organs. Main functions:

unloading of the spinal column and intervertebral discs;
improving the functioning of the back muscles;
reducing pressure on the joints in the lower back;
restoration of spinal discs after injury and reduction of pain.

With constant use, such devices have a positive effect on the functioning of internal organs, and also restore blood circulation during rehabilitation for various diseases. The designs are divided into two main types: supports for the spine and pillows for the buttocks.

Orthopedic seat

Chair or recliner pads look different. More often they look like regular pillows, but have increased elasticity and density. The surface of the products is flat, convex or has an anatomical relief. All these indicators are not so important. The main criterion for selection is padding. It is this that determines the quality of the orthopedic pillow.

Advantages of using such products:

lateral curvature of the spinal column is prevented;
the muscular system is activated;
relieves pain from spinal injuries;
the load on the spinal discs is reduced;
strengthens the muscles in the abdomen and back;
the load on the veins is reduced due to the shape and elasticity of the seat.

Do not confuse the concepts: ergonomic, massage and orthopedic seats. The latter are used to strengthen the back muscles and correct posture.

Back pad

Orthopedic chair pads are mesh structures with straps for attaching to a chair or car seat. Made in the form of a curved back, which provides good support for the spine. It is convenient to combine them with horizontal pillows. Combined use greatly facilitates prolonged sitting in a sitting position: when working at a desk or on a long trip.

Features of the orthopedic back pad for an office chair:

due to the presence of a small roller in the center of the structure, all pressure is evenly distributed to the spinal column;
used as an additional treatment for various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
supports the spine in a natural position.

Before purchasing an orthopedic seat pad, you should consult your doctor.

Care Tips

All pillows are dry cleanable. Latex can be washed (up to 40 degrees), wring without twisting. The chemical method is excluded.
Wash removable covers and pillowcases when dirty with detergent in warm water.
Do not place near heating elements, avoid direct sunlight.
Do not place heavy objects or let pets lie on them, especially on memory foam pillows.

Pillow care

To make your product last longer, listen to these tips:

clean the surface using dry cleaning;
wash the cover regularly;
make sure that the surface of the chair is smooth;
Do not use aggressive detergents for cleaning.

Orthopedic pillows have a special cover that is easy to remove and wash if necessary.

Chair seat handmade

You can easily make a simple version yourself! Requires silicone filler and thick fabric. Cut 2 circles from the fabric and carefully sew them around the filling. Make a case, it will be more convenient. Use natural and safe materials. You can use foam rubber or buckwheat husk as a base.

Examples of positive reviews

“At first it was unusual, but my back and buttocks began to get less tired. The main thing is to remember to move.”
“It has become easier to live with the problem of hemorrhoids, you just need to make a rational choice. Also do gymnastics for the perineum when you sit for a long time."
“I bought a ring pillow during pregnancy; in the later stages it became difficult to sit. She also helped me after giving birth. I still use it now"
“I can’t imagine traveling without a pillow. Sometimes I spend 24 hours behind the wheel. Constantly massage under the buttocks and under the back"

It is better to prevent health problems than to waste energy and money on treating them later. If it is not possible to reduce the sitting time, then rationally prepare your place. A chair cushion can help you! It will improve posture and reduce fatigue. Let your life become more comfortable!

Reliable manufacturers

To purchase a high-quality pillow for the spine or lumbar region, you should pay attention to products from trusted manufacturers:

“Trives” - pillows produced by a Russian company, convenient for travel, made in the shape of a bagel.
Trelax - products are used for any chairs, including those suitable for wheelchairs. The company presents a large assortment with different shapes and colors. Supplied with covers made of water-repellent Bielastic fabric.
Ormatek are classic products for women during pregnancy and people whose work involves prolonged sitting. They are made in the shape of a wedge, boomerang, bagel. They relieve any pressure on the spine, thereby providing back support.
LaBona - the company's products are equipped with a roller. They are affordable.

An orthopedic seat is an excellent device for work activities that require prolonged sitting. It relieves fatigue and also prevents various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Users note that after just a few days of use, the pain disappears and the condition improves significantly.