In this review, we consulted with Occupational Therapists & Chiropractors to decide what’s the best office chair for someone with sciatica.
If you suffer from sciatica problems, lower back pain, or leg pain after sitting for long periods, a doctor will definitely recommend an ergonomic chair, and also not sitting for too long.
In this guide, you’ll find our recommended list of ergonomic office chairs across a number of categories.
We made our choice based on key features such as comfort, quality, adjustability, and design.
Best High End Chair
Steelcase Gesture Graphite Chair
- Made of 100% polyester fabric and a metal frame
- Adjustable recline, seat depth, seat height, and arms
- No assembly required
- 12 year warranty
We chose this model as the best high end chair because it offers pretty much everything you need for your sciatica problems.
It features 4 recline positions, height adjustment from 39.25” to 44.25”, seat depth adjustments of 15.75” to 18.75”, and a weight limit of 400 lbs.
It’s also very comfortable with excellent lumbar support. Customers say that it’s an expensive chair, but totally worth it. You can adjust almost anything, and it looks great.
However, one thing that is not adjustable is the lumbar support, so if you’re short in stature, it would be at the middle of the back.
Pros
- Almost everything is adjustable
- Beautiful design
- Sturdy materials
Cons
- Very expensive
Best Adjustable Chair
Sidiz T80 Ergonomic Home Office Chair
- Mesh and fully breathable back
- Padded seat with adjustable height, depth, and width
- Includes a 30 day trial and a 3 year warranty
If you need to make more adjustments to your chair, this is the model for you. The seat is adjustable for height, depth, and width.
The backrest is also adjustable for height and width, plus the headrest, armrest, and lumbar support are adjustable for height.
Additionally, you can also adjust tilt tension and tilting angles to find the most comfortable posture for your back. The weight limit is 300 lbs.
This chair has many excellent reviews with most people saying it’s very comfortable and easy to assemble. Ergonomics is one of its top features and it looks fantastic in an office.
Pros
- Fully adjustable and comfortable
- Easy assembly without any tools
- Great price compared to other brands
Cons
- The seat padding might not be enough for heavy people
Best Executive Chair
Serta Ergonomic Executive Office Chair
- Comfortably padded and upholstered in leather
- Adjustable height, armrests, and tilt
- Larger casters adapted for carpet floors
This chair looks great at the office and is incredibly comfortable for people with sciatica. It has prominent lumbar support, padded armrests, and multilayered cushions.
The armrests are easily positioned with a button, and the weight limit is 250 lbs. This chair has mixed reviews, as some people loved it, while others had second thoughts.
Customers who liked the chair said it’s easy to assemble and comfortable. The rest complained that the chair was too small for them. We recommend it for those under 5’10.
Pros
- Comfortably padded with multilayered cushions
- Padded and height adjustable armrests
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Not very comfortable for tall people
Best Kneeling Chair
Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair
- Made of flexible wood, weighing 14.3 lbs
- Includes soft tape to protect your floors from scratches
- 7 colors to choose from
A kneeling chair is perfect for people suffering from sciatica because it encourages an upright position and strengthens core muscles.
This Varier kneeling chair has a simple design, does not require assembly, and won’t get in the way when you’re cleaning. It offers slight rocking, but cannot be adjusted.
Most customers have rated this chair positively, saying that it’s ergonomic and very comfortable. The rocking motion feels safe and it’s made of high quality materials.
However, it might feel more comfortable for taller people, over 5’10’’.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Promotes an upright position
- Not bulky, great for a minimalistic office
Cons
- You need to learn how to sit on it
Best Sciatica Saddle Chair
HAG Capisco Adjustable Sit & Stand Chair
- Rapidly changes from a sitting to a standing chair
- Seat height goes from 22.5” to 33”
- 7 seat colors and 3 base colors to choose from
If you have a standing desk or platform, this saddle chair is a great companion for it. The chair has a 10.4” lift height to alternate between standing and sitting in one second.
It is a comfortable and ergonomic chair with both seat height and depth adjustments. The back tilt and height can also be adjusted, and the maximum load is 250 lbs.
Most customers had positive things to say about this chair. Many agreed that it’s easy to assemble and provides great support for heavy people.
Pain relief is one of its top features, but some people say that the cushion is not very thick, and sitting for a long time can get uncomfortable.
Thus, it is a great option only if you’re planning to alternate between sitting and standing.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Excellent to alternate between standing and sitting
- Keeps a good posture
Cons
- Higher price compared to other models
Other Recommended Chairs
Duramont Ergonomic Chair With Lumbar Support
If you prefer breathable back support, this mesh chair is an excellent option. It is sturdy, made from alloy steel and a padded seat, with a maximum capacity of 330 lbs.
Adjustments include the usual seat height, backrest tilt, and tilt tension. But you can also change the lumbar support depth and height, as well as the headrest angle and height.
Many customers agree that this is an excellent chair that’s easy to put together, and very ergonomic. Support is one of its top features, and it offers great quality for the price.
Customer support is responsive and the manufacturers honor the 5 year warranty.
Pros
- Adjustable back support
- Fully breathable mesh back
- Many ergonomic adjustments
Cons
- Very expensive
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
This is another mesh back chair with ergonomic adjustments. You can adjust the seat and headrest height, plus flip up the armrests if you prefer.
Its recommended height is 5’5 to 6’2 and the maximum load capacity is 280 lbs. This is a larger chair meant for big people and it accommodates them very comfortably.
Most customers are very satisfied with their purchase and say that the price is fair for what it offers. They also say that the assembly is easy and support is its top feature.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- A great option for taller people
- Comfortable, made with high quality materials
Cons
- Won’t be comfortable for people shorter than 5’5
Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair
One of the greatest advantages of this office chair is its 3D adjustable armrests but we recommend this model for sciatica patients because it also offers 3D lumbar support.
The lumbar support, along with the comfortable mesh back and headrest will keep your back fresh at all times. Its maximum weight is 275 lbs and it tilts up to 135º.
Most customers had a great experience with this chair and say it’s worth the money spent. It’s also easy to set up and comfort is one of its top features.
Pros
- 3D lumbar support and armrest adjustments
- Back tilt of up to 135º
- Breathable mesh backrest
Cons
- No padding between the mesh and the frame edges
ObjectChair ErgoPro Adjustable Office Chair
This is another model with breathable mesh, but this one is available in 4 colors. This model tilts up to 135º as well and it has 3 lock positions.
The headrest is made of breathable mesh and the height is adjustable. It features 4D adjustments on the armrests and the usual seat height adjustment through a gas lift.
It also has amazing lumbar support, making it incredibly comfortable for people with back problems.
Customer reviews are overall positive and most people found this chair very comfortable. Support is one of its top features, and it is easy to assemble.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Great lumbar support
- Affordable price
Cons
- Headrest angle cannot be locked
Razer Iskur High Density Foam Gaming Chair
If you’re suffering from sciatica symptoms and want a gaming chair that won’t add to your struggles, this is the one we recommend.
It has appropriate back support and the lumbar curve is adjustable. The chair is covered with faux leather and the cushions are padded with high-density foam.
Other adjustments include its 4D armrests, back tilt, and seat height.
Customers left excellent reviews, and the most satisfied people are gamers who’ve tried different models. They say that it’s a heavy chair, but very resistant.
Pros
- Very sturdy, designed for larger people
- Excellent support and firm cushions
- Adjustable lumbar support
Cons
- Some people say that the seat cushion is too firm
What Is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve runs from your spine to your legs and goes through your buttocks.
Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve and causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, or legs, depending on which part of the nerve is affected.
How it is affected by sitting
The sciatic nerve runs deep within your glutes. So, when you sit for a very long time, you might compress the sciatic nerve, especially if you’re not adopting a good posture.
Best sitting positions
If you’re suffering from sciatica, we recommend getting up every once in a while. But even when you’re sitting, you can adopt a better posture by:
Increasing your hip angle
Instead of having a 90º angle between hips and knees, increase the angle by raising your seat height or placing a cushion on top of the chair.
This will reduce the pressure on your buttocks and release the sciatic nerve. A kneeling chair is a great way to increase your hip angle.
Crossing your legs
You could also sit cross-legged or simply cross one leg over the opposite knee. By doing so, the piriformis muscle stretches and releases the sciatic nerve.
Looking for lower back support
Ideally, you want an ergonomic chair that supports your back, but you can also use a lumbar roll cushion.
Common Questions
Will I get worse sciatica symptoms after sitting?
If you sit for a very long period and do not adopt any of the modifications listed above, you could worsen your symptoms.
Stand up regularly to relieve muscle tension and prevent this from happening.
Where is my sciatic nerve?
It comes out of the spine into your legs and goes through your buttocks. It’s located right in the middle of your glutes.
What can I do to relieve sciatica pain?
There are many causes of sciatica pain, each with a different treatment. Stretching exercises release the muscles and relieve pain.
Strengthening exercises improve spinal alignment. It’s also important to talk to your doctor, especially if you want to trace and address the root cause.
Piriformis Syndrome
This is a type of sciatica pain caused by the entrapment of the nerve and the tension of the piriformis muscle.
This band-like muscle runs down through your buttocks behind the sciatic nerve and is stimulated when you’re walking.
Does Kneeling Help Sciatica?
A kneeling chair is one of the best solutions for those with sciatica problems. It increases your hip angle and reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Additionally, kneeling increases blood circulation to the limbs, solving another cause of sciatica problems.
Things To Consider
Seat comfort
Seats are comfortable as long as they have enough padding, but they also need to be covered by a breathable material and be positioned according to your body type.
Therefore, seat cushions and adjustability are essential for you to feel comfortable when you’re sitting for a long period.
Seat cushions
The type of seat cushion you have on your chair is extremely important.
The most recommended type of seat cushion is memory foam because it adapts to your body and provides comfort regardless of the time you spend on it.
Some of them also have a cooling gel to provide more pain relieving benefits.
Adjustability
An ergonomic chair must be highly adjustable because how comfortable we feel depends on how well the chair can adjust to our body type.
The most common adjustability features include seat height and recline or tilt options.
However, if you’re serious about relieving your back, you should also consider seat width and lumbar support adjustments.
Seat height
In most cases, a seat height of 16” to 21” is comfortable and can fit most body types.
The idea is to have your feet flat on the floor and your arms horizontally at the same height as the desk.
Seat width & depth
The standard seat width is 17” to 20”, this size enables larger people to feel comfortable while sitting in the chair.
Seat depth should be adjusted until your back is resting against the backrest and the distance between your knees and the borders of the seat is 2 to 4 inches.
Armrests
Make sure the armrests are fully adjustable. That way, they won’t get in the way of you and your desk. The armrest height must be adjusted to relieve tension in your back.
You can also use the flip up feature offered by some models to make sure they don’t interfere with your posture.
Lumbar support
This feature is most important for patients with very bad sciatica problems as well as those who sit for extended periods.
You should be able to adjust the height & depth of the lumbar support to accommodate the inward curve of your back according to your height and spinal curves.