There is no secret that you need the right chairs for back support. However, you probably don’t spend enough time thinking about the importance of having a good bed to sleep on.

You spend a third of your life sleeping, and that’s why you’ll find tons of articles on the best beds for back support and back pain. Yet many of us spend as much time sitting as we do sleeping. That’s why you may need to learn more about the best chairs and sofas for back support and relief from bad back pain.

Modular Sofas

Not all modular sofas are good for back pain. The best ones will be firmer rather than soft or plush. But they won’t be so hard that you end up worsening your lower back pain or sciatica. A modular sofa can serve you in a variety of ways. Put it together and you have something long enough to lie down on.  A divan could be just what you need when you can’t quite sit upright but don’t want to greet guests lying down. Modular sofas are also a good choice if you often find yourself moving furniture around. You simply need to push the pieces together. This eliminates the need to carry and set up folding chairs. And if you have back pain, you shouldn’t be carrying heavy or bulky loads like that.

Reclining Sofas

If you have trouble getting in and out of bed, you might be advised to buy a reclining bed. These beds can lift your feet or elevate the upper half of your body. Reclining sofas have one or more recliner built into the sofa. They may look like high-end theater seats or resemble sofas except the sections recline like traditional recliners. There are a few reclining loveseats, too. They seat two, and each side can recline individually. Reclining will probably take the strain off your back, and it certainly relieves the pressure on your feet. Recliners like reclining beds are among the best options for those who have general joint pain.

Can a mattress improve your health?

Looking for relief from arthritis, back pain, hiatal hernia, varicose veins, asthma, heartburn, or insomnia?

Power lift recliners will help you get in and out of the chair just as power-lift beds give you the ability to get in and out of bed yourself. There are a few power lift reclining loveseats on the market, but odds are that you’ll have to special order it. Make sure that whatever you buy will be assembled by someone else. This can do a lot to help you sleep better.

Note that some of these sofa categories overlap. For example, there are a few sectional sofa sets that include recliners.

Know that it may be difficult to get a tax deduction for the cost of a reclining sofa or have Medicare pay for it, though this is more easily done with a reclining bed. Either way, you’re going to need a doctor’s note justifying the expense.

Adjustable beds and Medicare: What to know

Sofas Made for Back Pain Sufferers

An estimated eight percent of adults suffer from back pain. This is a large market segment that furniture makers cannot afford to ignore. And it is why you can find sofas made for back pain sufferers. Some of these sofas have reversible cushions. One side is soft while the other is firm. Just switch the cushion around to what is comfortable for you at that moment. They tend to have firmer seats, as well. Furthermore, they often have taller sofa backs so that your back is never unsupported.

Other versions have sinuous springs inside of them. These springs provide support for the user and don’t create painful pressure points. These couches are generally topped with memory foam. The back cushions tend to be reversible foam.

The Ergonomic Sofa

Ergonomic furniture is furniture that literally fits you. This is why you may need a different sofa or couch simply to be comfortable on it. Perhaps the easiest example would be trying to lie on a couch that is several inches shorter than you are. If you don’t curl up on the couch, you’re going to have to hold your head or raise your legs in order to fit. If the couch is too low, your thighs aren’t parallel to the floor. If the couch is too high, your feet aren’t comfortably resting on the floor. If the seat is not deep enough, your knees may instinctively bend to put your feet as far back as possible. If the seat is too deep, you may slouch or otherwise curve your back to make contact with the back of the couch. This can aggravate a number of back and neck problems.

You can run into trouble if the arm rests or back of the couch aren’t the right height, too. That’s demonstrated every time you find yourself shifting around because the back of the couch is too low to give you enough support. You can even run into problems if the couch cushions and pillows push you into an unnatural position.

This is why you may need a couch with different dimensions simply to avoid back problems, and this becomes a necessity if your position on the couch aggravates back and neck pain.

The Pain-Free Furniture Checklist

Yet the selection criteria differ based on how you use the couch. Just don’t make the mistake of buying a gaming chair or recliner if it doesn’t fit your body.