How do Standard Chairs Differ from Coccyx Chairs
Coccyx pain from long days of sitting at the office can make everyday tasks harder and turn relaxing after work into a painful experience. Just like an athlete wouldn’t keep running on an injured leg, you shouldn’t keep sitting on the same chair that’s causing the pain. There are special chairs designed to relieve coccyx pain, which can be a much better option than standard chairs.
In this article we will look at how standard chairs differ from coccyx chairs.
Why is the Coccyx so Important?
The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, plays an important role in stabilising your pelvis:
Support whilst sitting – The coccyx, along with the sitting bones (ischial tuberosities) work together to distribute your body weight while sitting and leaning back. Together, they form a tripod-like structure that supports your body when seated.
Anchor Point – The coccyx acts as an anchor for several pelvic muscles and ligaments. This includes those making up the pelvic floor, which support the bladder, rectum and uterus.
Aid in childbirth – During childbirth, the coccyx can flex or move backwards to create more space for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
Coccyx Injury and Pain
Tailbone pain can range from mild symptoms to extreme pain, where simply sitting down can be torture. This Injury can be excruciatingly painful, difficult to manage and to overcome.
The coccyx is a sensitive area because many muscles, tendons and ligaments are all attached to the tailbone. Pain occurs when any of these ligaments are damaged or hurt, this could be from an extended period of sitting or injuries from falling.
If the coccyx is misaligned or injured, it can affect your pelvic floor muscles, leading to bladder or bowel issues and chronic pain. Nerve irritation or compression from the injury can disrupt nerve communication between your pelvic area and your brain, causing pain. Since nerves are delicate, damage to them can lead to improper muscle control and loss of sensation.
How do Standard Chairs Differ from Coccyx Chairs
The best way to prevent or relieve tailbone pain is to use a chair designed for this purpose, rather than a standard chair. Coccyx chairs are made with ergonomics in mind,, with a specific focus on relieving and preventing lower back and coccyx discomfort.
The differences between standard chairs and coccyx chairs include:
Seat Design
Standard Chairs: These chairs are of course designed to be comfortable, but they don’t particularly target the coccyx area. They don’t necessarily offer any adjustments or functions for tailbone pain relief.
Coccyx Chairs: Are cleverly designed with a coccyx relief cut-out at the back of the seat. These chairs support your thighs and prevent direct contact with the coccyx, relieving pressure in the coccyx area.. Using a coccyx cut-out chair can significantly reduce the pressure and therefore the pain on your spine and tailbone.
Pressure Distribution
Standard Chairs: Standard chairs tend to be fixed in one position, putting pressure on your tailbone. This can cause pain, especially after a long period of sitting.
Coccyx Chairs: These chairs have a tilting seat to align the lumbar area, which helps to ‘open’ your pelvis and reduce pressure on your coccyx. Adjusting the seat angle can help to relieve pressure points in the tailbone, spine and sit bones. This is especially beneficial if you have a tendency to slouch as this promotes good posture.
Cushioning
Standard Chairs: They often use regular foam or padding that doesn’t accommodate coccyx relief. If low quality foam is used it can degrade or compress more quickly than a higher quality foam.
Coccyx Chairs: With coccyx issues the best cushioning option is fabric and foam rather than a mesh seat. Mesh does not help to position your bottom, which can be uncomfortable for people with tailbone pain. A contoured memory foam seat evenly distributes pressure across the sitting surface. This provides optimal support and helps reduce pressure on your coccyx, sit bones and lower spine.
There are three important factors related to foam:
- Thickness – A thicker foam is good for support if you are a heavier person.
- Density – Foam density refers to how heavy it is compared to its size. Foams with higher density have higher resistance and durability.
- Firmness -Soft foam creates a more comfortable seat. Memory foam or performance foam seats are typically softer and regain their shape after use, providing lasting comfort.
More Features and Styles of Office Chairs for Coccyx Pain:
Adjustable lumbar support – This is a great feature that helps prevent posterior pelvic tilt. This condition happens when excessive pressure is placed over the tailbone area, moving it out of position. Having a chair with lumbar support helps with having a healthy posture and proper alignment.
Adjustable seat depth – Office chairs with a seat slide helps you make adjustments to the seat depth. This is a feature that can assist with back and tailbone pain. Shorter seats take the pressure off your coccyx. Sitting on a shorter seat allows the coccyx to be free at the back of the chair, avoiding direct contact with the seat while still providing support for your back and thighs.
What to Avoid
Office chairs (or any chairs!) with a hard surface. They will gradually increase your pain and will eventually make it unbearable. You should avoid all chairs that feel like sitting on a wooden stool.
Chairs with a mesh seat. These are widespread and popular. Although they are ergonomically sound, if you have a tailbone discomfort you should avoid them.
This is because cheaper office chairs use a hard mesh seat that lasts, but it is very firm and hard. A soft mesh seat doesn’t distribute your weight evenly because it stretches and sinks more than a regular foam seat. This “hammock effect” can lead to increased pressure on your coccyx.
Coccyx Chairs with Ergonomic Chairs Direct
We can’t avoid sitting down at work but we can try to make it more comfortable for you. Switch out your standard chair for a coccyx office chair for the solution to your tailbone pain.
At Ergonomic Chairs Direct we design chairs to reduce and prevent pain while promoting improved posture and spinal health. Browse our selection of coccyx chairs that provide the utmost comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.