Do Seat Wedge Cushions Help Posture?
When you think about improving your posture, the first thing that comes to mind is probably doing some sort of exercise. However, what many people don’t know is that using seat wedge cushions can also help improve your posture. In this blog post, we will discuss how seat wedge cushions can help improve your posture and how to choose the right one for you. Stay tuned!
As a general rule, a seat wedge cushion helps to make your back feel better because it moves your pelvis forward and automatically causes your knees to be lower than your hips. A seat wedge cushion also encourages pelvic floor muscle engagement, ensuring that you sit up straight with a neutral spine.
Let me explain why seat wedges work to help improve your posture. I have loads of experience on this topic! For example, I’ve been practicing chiropractic for almost 30 years; also trained as an ergonomist; published a book on posture; spoke on this subject on national tv; designed an orthopedic mattress and neck pain pillow; ran a successful Kickstarter campaign on posture correcting devices. Let me guide you on what you need to know when considering a wedge cushion to help your posture.
How a Seat Wedge Cushion Corrects Posture
A wedge cushion will make sitting easier on your back. With a seat angle of 8 to 13 degrees, the front edge should be just below the ischial tuberosity and angled inward at about 45 degrees from vertical. The pressure that’s applied by leaning forward against it reduces stress on spinal discs as well as relieves tension in muscles for people who sit all day long without taking breaks or getting up frequently to move around. And with better alignment comes less muscle strain!
If you are into super easy and inexpensive alternatives to office chairs, I wrote a fantastic article on how and why you should consider these options for back pain and I encourage you to read it!
Choosing the Best Foam for Seat Posture Wedge
Natural Latex Foam Seat Wedge Cushions (5/5) ★★★★★
A natural latex chair is a great choice for those who are looking to get better posture and some relief from pain while sitting. The lower body will be naturally aligned as the heavier parts sink into the latex and lighter parts stay free, which relaxes your muscles and ligaments but also improves blood circulation so that it can align your spine more effectively alleviating pressure points!
Natural latex provides numerous benefits such as being customizable in many different ways, versatile since you’re able to use them with or without armrests depending on what’s best suited for our needs at any given moment; eco-friendly/non-toxic because they don’t have any harsh petrochemicals or agents.
Memory Foam Seat Wedge Cushions (2/5) ☆☆☆★★
Memory foam is a good option for back pain in some circumstances, but not all. Memory foam cushions respond to pressure differently than other types of cushioning materials and might be less comfortable when sitting up straight or on one side because it does not mould as much around the contours of your body.
I was surprised how similar cheap memory foam seat cushions were on Aliexpress from the listing on Amazon!
A responsive seat wedge will conform more easily to both seated positions if you have limited mobility while sitting, which means that this type of cushion is not ideal for posture correction or lower back pain. In addition, memory foams tend to retain heat rather readily during warmer seasons making them feel hotter against the skin–even if they are cooled down by air conditioning! Additionally, memory foam is petrochemical and is typically full of other harsh chemicals and fire retardants.
Gel/Memory Seat Wedge Foam Combinations (1/5) ☆☆☆☆★
This seat cushion is made of memory foam and a gel-infused top. It has an ergonomic U shape to conform to your body, provide support for your backside, and offer cooling qualities that don’t seem to exist in these cushions. We found the ratings from our customers were lower than average on this product when it came down to comfort or whether they felt like they were being cooled off by the pads.
Gel Honeycomb Seat Wedge Cushions (3/5) ☆☆★★★
These types of cushions are silicone-based honeycomb structured foams. These types of cushions can be good because they have free-flowing air channels that will prevent you from sweating and keep cool instead as opposed to causing you to overheat. Silicone is durable and resilient, retaining its original shape over time; however, it didn’t rank well when it came down to the comfort, support or satisfaction for this type of cushion due to the bottoming out easily which was uncomfortable for those users who tested these products.
Are Seat Wedge Cushions Good for You?
There are a lot of seat cushions out there, but the best ones for your back will have certain qualities. First off, they should cushion you in all the right places so that pressure points don’t bother your bony prominences on your buttocks and lower back when sitting down! If you want to make sure it doesn’t compress too easily with use (and is durable) then look for one made from natural latex foam.
You should also make sure your seat wedge pillow is made of multi-density foams so that it can provide support while dispersing pressure. In order to make your back feel amazing, the foundation should be firm, but the top layer should be soft.
Seat wedge cushions that conform to your body shape are very comfortable. The hips and knees should slope downward, so as to increase the trunk-to-thigh proportion while also providing adequate support for bony prominences.
Sitting wedge cushions should support your spine while you sit, as well as engage your core. Having your weight distributed over your core, and not your spine is more comfortable. Consequently, loading your hips and moving from them will stabilize the spine as you sit.
Posture wedge cushions are more comfortable and prevent aching joints. The use of ergonomic wedges provides natural support for the body and reduces discomfort from prolonged periods at the computer.
I explain the concept of my seat wedge design on a TV show HERE
What is the Best Seat Wedge for Posture?
A well-designed seat cushion can make a world of difference for anyone suffering from poor posture. For the past 30 years, I have been a chiropractor, and I have seen countless patients struggling with poor posture. I tried out many different seat cushions myself but never found one that was perfect. I wanted something that would provide support and comfort while also aiding in spinal alignment. After doing some research, I decided to design my own seat cushion and test it out on my patients. Using various materials and designs, I finally created a seat cushion that did the trick. My patients were incredibly pleased with the results and reported feeling much relief from their back pain. I am proud to say that my invention has helped countless people achieve better posture and alleviate their back pain.
In my design process, I found that natural latex is more supportive than memory foam or polyurethane foams, and it has a higher density that helps to keep the spine in alignment. I also wanted the cushion to also have a 4-way stretch vegan leather so that it would be comfortable and durable. After months of testing different prototypes, I finally designed a seat cushion (in the 2 pictures above) that met all of my criteria. The cushion has helped many of my patients find relief from back pain, and I am confident that it can help you too. Latex is an amazing material because it contours to your body while still providing support. The 4-way stretch vegan leather allows the cushion to move with you, and it is also durable enough to withstand years of use. If you are looking for a high-quality seat cushion that can help relieve back pain, I encourage you to try my design.
Takeaway
There are a lot of factors that can cause poor posture, pain and discomfort when sitting for long periods. For example, if you have sat in the same position too long your body might get used to it, which means changing positions will likely be uncomfortable or painful.
The best way to make sure you don’t experience any such problems is by using an ergonomic solution like seat wedges- so that no matter what chair or couch you’re on, your posture stays good. And while we hope these tips helped relieve some of your worries about how to stay comfortable at work without leaving home, there’s always more information available for those who need help with this issue. Our blog has plenty of useful guidance about different solutions for back pain and other useful tips.