American employees lose a collective 85 million days of work per year due to back pain.
Has yours been aching lately? While there are many conditions that can strain or impair your back muscles, poor chair support is one of them.
Research shows that 86% of workers sit for long hours all day, every day. Choosing the right office chair cushion is critical to ensuring your daily comfort when you're in a chair for long periods of time.
However, one internet search can reveal that there are tons of options on the market! Today, we're sharing 15 key tips to help you you narrow down your choices and pick the best one for your needs.
1. Look for Memory Foam
Not only does premium memory foam feel great, but it's also designed to conform entirely around your body. This allows it to deliver unique support exactly where you need it the most.
If you're tired of sitting on a rock-hard office chair all day long, add a memory foam seat cushion and notice the difference right away. The heat-responsive material cradles your body weight and cushions your pain points, delivering round-the-clock comfort.
Looking for some inspiration? Our Coccyx Seat Cushion is made from 100% high-density memory foam and is one of our best sellers! After the very first time you sit on it, you'll notice how refreshingly different it feels from the majority of products on the shelf.
If you feel that memory foam gets too warm, don't worry. We offer a gel seat cushion that will help keep you cool while still providing pain relief and taking the weight off your pressure points.
2. Prioritize Ergonomic Design
An office chair is usually categorized as ergonomic if its height and depth can be adjusted to help you sit more comfortably at your desk. An ergonomic chair should also offer adequate lumbar support for your lower spine and buttocks.
Unfortunately, most standard office chairs are not designed with these features in mind. However, that doesn't mean you have to suffer through the workday on pins and needles.
A seat cushion can help fill in the gap! Look for a U-shaped one with cutouts that can help reduce pain in your tailbone, hips, and lower back. This design will also help alleviate pressure in those critical areas, helping you sit for a long time without discomfort or lower back pain. It can also help you sit with a more healthy posture.
3. Check the Cover
It might seem like a tiny detail, but the cover of your cushion can make a big difference. Consider the issues created if it's too slick. You might go to sit down and slide right off of it!
To that end, look for one that has a non-slip bottom! This way, it will stay in place all day, even as you get up and down to run errands or walk around the office. Our no-slip office chair cushions also feature a non-slip rubber bottom to help in this regard.
4. Make Sure It's Machine-Washable
It's no secret that the seat of your office chair might not be the cleanest item in your workspace. Between sweat, ink stains, and spilled coffee, it's likely seen more than its fair share of messes.
That's why it's so important to invest in a seat cushion with a removable cover that is both removable and machine-washable! When you can simply throw it in the wash and go, your life is that much easier. Plus, a fresh and clean cushion cover is more professional than a non-removable one you can only spot-treat.
5. Consider Double-Duty Cushions
If you need help picking the right office chair cushion, look for one that can work for both your professional and personal life!
For instance, our Coccyx seat cushion seamlessly transitions from the office to your vehicle, doubling as a car cushion for anyone with an especially long commute. If you've ever arrived home with a sore tailbone after an hour or more behind the wheel, you know the difference that the right support can make.
6. Add Lumbar Support
While a cushion that supports your tailbone is an excellent start, many people also require additional support along their spine to help prevent back and hip pain.
If this applies to you, look for a seat cushion that pairs comfortably with an additional lumbar support pillow. This way, your entire back can be cradled in comfort!
Our Back Cushion Lumbar Support Pillow is also made with top-quality memory foam that's designed to conform to your body. Not only does it help alleviate pressure in your lower back, but it also helps you sit up straighter and can even improve your proper posture over time!
As with our other cushions, it also transitions easily from your home office seat to your car seat, so you never have to go without back support. You can also purchase this specific pillow as part of a packaged "Memory Foam Seat and Back Cushion" set on our online shop!
7. Look For Adjustable Straps
Not every office chair is built in the same way. They come in myriad different shapes, sizes, and designs.
That's why you need a tailbone or lumbar cushion that includes adjustable straps! These can be pulled tighter or looser depending on your needs, so you're never forced to sit crookedly on a seat that's too small or too big.
Another benefit of appropriately-sized straps is that they can prevent your cushion from slipping and sliding all over the place as you shift in your seat!
8. Ask About Breathability
You might love your flannel bedsheets, but you would never want to sit for eight hours a day on top of them, right? Along the same lines, you need a cover for your chair cushion that's more than just comfortable.
Our Back Cushion Lumbar Support Pillow features a hypoallergenic cover that's both breathable and comfortable. Like our Coccyx Seat Cushion, it also zips off with ease so you can throw it in the washing machine any time you need to!
In addition, the cover includes specially-placed ventilation holes that add even more breathability. The memory foam we use also contains cooling gel, so your back and tailbone can stay comfortable.
9. Choose the Right Color
Yes, an office chair cushion is more about practicality than personality. Still, who says you can't have a little fun with yours?
Some cushions are only available in a standard black fabric to match your leather office chair. However, some companies (including ours) offer them in a few different colors.
Our Back Cushion Lumbar Support Pillow is available in the following shades:
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Navy blue
- Gray
In addition, our Coccyx Seat Cushion is also available in the same colors! Whether you choose to coordinate the two or mix and match them is entirely up to you!
10. Measure the Dimensions
While you look around for a new office chair cushion, take into account how thick and wide you need yours to be. This is a personal decision, guided primarily by the amount of support you require.
For example, someone looking for cushions for chronic pain might prefer a thicker and more heavy-duty cushion than someone simply looking for a little added height and back support.
Especially if your chair isn't adjustable or ergonomic, you should also keep in mind the height of the cushion you choose. If you're on the shorter side and your feet barely rest on the floor as-is, a super-thick cushion might make you too high!
11. Consider a Wedge
Speaking of needing a little height, have you considered purchasing an office seat that features a built-in wedge? These can help you sit more comfortably at your computer or steering wheel, allowing you to straighten your spine rather than curve it forward. They can also help relieve uncomfortable pressure from your thighs.
To learn more about this design, check out our Memory Foam Wedge Cushion.
Not only does this cushion help relieve nerve pain for anyone suffering from sciatica, but it also delivers targeted comfort to your:
- Coccyx
- Tailbone
- Back
- Legs
- Hips
In addition, the wedge also gives you a little extra height as you sit, so you're always ergonomically positioned throughout the day.
12. Check on Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
You might love your new office chair cushion now. Yet, what if something happens to it six months from now? What about three years down the road?
You don't have to settle for a brand that will only guarantee its products for a limited amount of time. After all, an office chair will see daily use and see its share of wear and tear. You need to make sure the manufacturer will stand behind its products.
At Everlasting Comfort, we're dedicated to robust customer service.
That's why we offer a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee for our seat cushions, which have great durability anyway. If anything ever happens to yours, just let us know and we'll replace it with a new one. It's free of charge and no questions asked!
13. Incorporate a Foot Rest
Another issue that could be causing back pain and leading to poor posture? Your feet might not be flat on the floor.
When this is the case, you'll have a difficult time sitting comfortably in your seat. For instance, you might have to perch on the edge of your cushion to reach your desk. Or, there might be too much pressure on your feet, leading to aches and pains that reach from your knees to your pinkie toe.
Did you know that the answer could be as simple as adding a foot rest?
Made with the same premium memory foam as our seat cushions, our Memory Foam Foot Rest Pillow slides discreetly under your desk, providing all-day comfort.
When you rest your feet on this pillow, you can feel quick relief in your feet, joints, and legs. That's because the pillow helps relieve pressure from those critical points.
The best part? Our foot rest pillow also doubles as a back cushion when you're lying down. You can even slip it under your knees while you lie in bed to help relieve painful pressure.
14. Research Price Point
Are you paying for your office chair cushion out of your own pocket? If so, it's important to check out a few different designs and compare costs before making a final decision.
As you do your due diligence, keep in mind that when it comes to ergonomic furniture and accessories, it's best to invest in premium-quality products.
In the end, this is more than just a piece to make the workday more comfortable. It's an investment in your health and wellbeing and shouldn't be taken lightly. Resist the urge to go with the cheapest seat cushion you can find, as it's unlikely to fit your needs for the long term.
15. Inquire on Doctor Recommendations
There are few designations more impressive in this industry than a chair cushion that is approved as safe and effective by an orthopedic doctor.
We could create blog posts and web resources on our products for years, but hearing the benefits firsthand from someone who has used the products and can attest to their value is gold.
If you suffer from back, neck, or leg pain, you may have already visited an orthopedic doctor or an orthopedic surgeon in the past. These are specially-trained healthcare professionals who focus on diagnosing and treating patients with pain in their bones, joints, tendons, and muscles.
Our seat cushions hold this special designation, and they are recommended and supported by orthopedic specialists.
Find the Best Office Chair Cushion Today
If you're like most employees, you spend a large portion of your day sitting down. That's why you should make the experience as comfortable as possible!
Though you'll have many options as you search around for a new office chair cushion, we'd love to be at the top of your list.
Our high-quality memory foam cushions are designed to offer direct, targeted relief to some of the most commonly used muscles in your lower body. Whether you opt for a wedge design, U-shaped design, or any other special feature, you're sure to enjoy this accessory.
Looking for more products just like these? We carry a large selection of items that offer almost-instant relief for a host of back pain issues. Feel free to take a closer look at all of our shop categories, our great warranty and return policy, and contact us for more information.
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