Sciatica is a condition that’s characterized by pain that originates from the lower back or lumbar region, which makes it incredibly uncomfortable.
Round, disk-like connective tissue normally cushions the vertebrae in the spine. Over a long period of time, however, the soft tissue, or cushioning, may get worn down from either injury or age. The result is a herniated disk that puts painful pressure on the vertebrae surrounding it. The pressure sometimes affects, the sciatic nerve.
Sitting increases the pressure on your spine and nerves. So, if you suffer from sciatica, you’ll want the best seat cushions for sciatica pain below to make sitting more bearable.
The Best Cushions for Sciatica: Top 5 Recommendations
The cushions below come highly recommended by people that actually suffer from sciatica and are guaranteed to offer you some relief from the painful sitting. For the best course of treatment, however, you should always consult with a competent medical professional.
Skil-Care Gel Foam Cushion with Coccyx Cutout
If you are suffering from coccyx pain, the first step should be keeping pressure off of your lower back or tail bone. That’s why people that suffer from coccyx pain should always sit on U-shaped cut-out cushions to achieve proper body alignment by regenerating their spinal muscles and reducing strain.
The Skil-Care Gel-Foam Cushion is exactly what you need to alleviate coccyx pain, no matter your weight. It has a cut-out to help distribute weight more evenly. The cushion ensures comfort when you sit since your tailbone will be situated above the U-shape cutout close to the cushion’s rear. Two thicknesses are available: 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches.
It uses a combination of high quality foam with a gel layer to reduce this pressure. Admittedly, this is a premium product but it is frequently used in hospitals and nursing homes. So, you know it is made of premium materials and and will last a long time. The outer cover is launderable so it’s easy to keep clean too!
The Skil-Care Gel-Foam Cushion prevents the discomfort and soreness that comes from sitting for extended periods of time. It is lightweight, which means that you can take it along with you just about anywhere. It can even be stored in a travel bag or standard gym bag.
Regency Coccyx Seat Cushion
If you are someone who spends a lot of time sitting in one place, the Regency Memory Foam Coccyx Seat Cushion offers a lot to ensure your comfort. The company’s innovative combination of multiple foam layers creates an incredibly comfortable cushion to alleviate sciatica pain.
This cushion is designed for use anywhere from a car seat, plane seat, wheelchair, to your sofa. It comes with a nice, soft, twill/spandex cover that is removable and machine washable, which means that you can have a sciatica cushion that will look good for a long time.
This coccyx cushion also comes with a non-slip bottom to help it stay put where you want it. This one isn’t much to look at, but if you want a quality cushion that is durable and will last, you won’t be disappointed.
Plixio Memory Foam Seat Cushion
The Plixio Memory Foam Seat Cushion is one of the best options for seniors that enjoy the feeling of memory foam. The memory foam essentially “hugs” the body when you sit down, which helps relieve soreness and pain due to lower back or tailbone injuries as well as sciatica pain. It also ensures better blood circulation in the legs.
The Plixio Memory Foam Seat Cushion has a U-shaped cut-out to help alleviate spinal pressure and protect the tailbone. The cover on the cushion is removable, machine washable, and made from soft and durable velour. It is breathable too so it won’t be hot to sit on!
Overall, this sciatica cushion functions as you would expect, which makes is yet another good and affordable option for seniors that suffer from sciatica who need a good cushion especially when traveling.
Essential Medical Coccyx Cushion
If you are a senior that sits for long hours during the day, the Essential Medical Coccyx Seat Cushion may be just what you need. It might be somewhat more generic compared to the rest of the options on this list, but it can help with lower back pain, sciatica pain, as well as tailbone soreness.
The tapering design of the Essential Medical Seat Cushion helps to reduce pressure on the lower back by protecting the tailbone. It lifts the tailbone up thus helping you avoid uncomfortable contact with any surface under the cushion. The dense foam layer provides the right balance between support and comfort, which in turn ensures healthy posture. But, it won’t feel as “cushiony” as the memory foam cushions apove.
Samsonite Lumbar Travel Pillow
Sometimes, people suffering from sciatica need to add back support to further reduce their symptoms.
The Samsonite SA5243 Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow is a supportive pillow made out of plush memory foam to help improve posture without the need to be overbearing on the back. It is designed to provide some much-needed relief from pressure on the sciatic nerve.
The foam in the Samsonite SA5243 Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow provides perfect balance between softness and firmness. It not only provides pain relief but also promotes a healthy posture. It has a machine-washable cover and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
The Samsonite SA5243 Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow is perfect for easy lumbar support especially while on the move. It has a single adjustable strap, which makes it well suited for car travel. You will definitely love the comfort that comes from using this very comfortable pillow. The curved design provides good support at an affordable price.
What Are the Important Features to Look for in a Sciatica Coccyx Cushion?
It is important to consider some of the key features that your coccyx cushion should have whether you choose one of the products featured here or you decide to buy a different one.
Proper weight distribution to get much of the weight off your tailbone is one of the most important features to look out for. Proper weight distribution ensures better lumbar support, helps ease the pain, and promotes better circulation to protect against numbness.
Several design tactics are used to ensure proper weight distribution in most seat cushions for sciatica relief. You can find either a U-shaped cut-out in the back of the cushion to protect the tailbone or the cushion will be tapered, which helps protect the coccyx.
Other important features to look out for in a cushion for sciatica relief include having a removable, washable cover and being made of a sturdy but soft material such as velour.
What’s the Sciatic Nerve?
The sciatica is a highly distinctive nerve in the human body. It is the longest nerve in the body running from the lower back before splitting and running through the buttocks, hips, feet, and legs on both side of the body. While herniated disks can be a common cause for sciatica, but there are other possible causes too, which include stenosis (narrowing of the spine) or bone spurs that also puts painful pressure on the lower back and irritates the sciatic nerve.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Seniors regularly experience sciatic pain linked to the use of mobility aids or injuries caused by falls. It is quite easy to recognize the symptoms of sciatica: pain radiating from the lower back and down the leg. Some cases of sciatica are milder and may require just 4 to 8 weeks to heal. However, other cases tend to be severer and may require medical assistance. Fortunately, sciatica is treatable and while you are healing, you can use special equipment and perform certain exercises to alleviate the pain. One effective way to deal with condition is to invest in the best seat cushion for sciatica to ensure maximum comfort when you travel or when sitting at home.
Can Coccyx Cushions Be Used in Wheelchairs?
The vast majority of cushion options discussed here can actually be used in a wheelchair to provide relief from pain. If you will be using the cushion in a wheelchair, it can be a good idea to look for one with a non-slip bottom. Or, use some velcro fasteners to keep it safely in place.
Video: Stretches to Help With Sciatica Pain
Dr. Jo is a physical therapist who shares a lot of free information on the internet. Here is a quick video she put together showing some stretches and exercises for sciatic nerve pain:
Wrapping Up
Sciatic nerve damage is very painful and any relief that’s achieved either through exercise or medical attention is always welcome. Sitting can be particularly challenging for the people that suffer from sciatica. Using a therapeutic sear cushion for sciatica is one of the most effective ways to deal with the pain.
When it comes to buying a cushion for sciatica relief, look for one that has high-grade memory foam. It can also be a good idea to look for a cushion with a U-shaped cut-out to help ensure proper weight distribution and provide some pressure relief. Affordability is yet another critical consideration as well as having removable covers for easier washing.
Finding a therapeutic cushion to help alleviate sciatic nerve pain might lead you to some expensive options, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The best seat cushion for sciatica relief does not have to be expensive, but it should have the perfect balance between firmness and softness without costing an arm and a leg.
The Aylio seat cushion is my top recommendation. It offers the perfect combination of comfort and ease of use. If you are looking for a cushion to use in your vehicle, check out this post with recommendations for best cushions for long car rides.
Do you have any experience dealing with sciatic pain that you would like to share? Do you have any cushion recommendations that have really helped you would like to share? If so, please do share in the comments below. If you found this guide helpful, please be sure to share with all your friends on social media!
