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Choosing the right cushion for sciatica

Choosing the right cushion for sciatica

cushion for sciatica

In a previous blog we discussed the merits of how a cushion for sciatica could help to relieve sciatic pain while sitting. In our experience a cushion can be really helpful but not all cushions that say they can help with sciatica while sitting are the same.

The Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion was designed specifically to help alleviate the symptoms of sciatica while sitting. There are other cushion designs so to help you we have reviewed the different types of cushion.

Here are five types of cushions for sciatica that we have tried over the years.

Car Seat Gel Cushion

This type of cushion has a professional finish and is generally a well made product. Sitting on this type of cushion is comfortable and the integral cooling pack can be soothing. However, the product does not reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve through the gluteal region or the lower back and the gel pack heats up to body temperature quite quickly. For people with pain in the gluteal area or lower back pain the question to ask is, would this cushion be effective on long journeys?

Memory Foam Seat Cushion

If you purchase a good quality cushion with a professional finish these types of cushion can be comfortable to sit on initially. A moulded shape can give support at the sides to make you feel stable. The cutout in the centre could possibly give relief to people suffering from injury to the coccyx or suffering from haemorrhoids. However, usually within minutes memory foam starts to become hard and uncomfortable, as the foam gets warm, moulds to your body and compression sets. Hard cushions cannot reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve in the gluteal area. For people suffering from sciatica it will not effectively reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve over an extended period of time.

Donut Shaped Pressure Relief Ring Cushion

When initially sitting on this type of cushion it is comfortable. The central cutout could possibly give relief to people suffering from haemorrhoids. However, within one hour, the cushion became hard and uncomfortable because it is made from memory foam. It did not reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve or the lower back, and actually feels like it is putting pressure on the coccyx.

Cycle Seat Cushion

Sitting on this type of cushion for sciatica does relieve the pressure on the sitting bones and the sciatic nerve as it passes through the piriformis. However, after one hour the sitting position becomes uncomfortable due to pressure on the pelvic floor. Also it is not very comfortable to use in the car.

The Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion for Sciatica

Obviously we are biased but here are the reasons we think The Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion is the best option for relieving sciatica symptoms while sitting.

  • Sitting on the cushion is comfortable, although initially it feels a little unusual until adjusted to your personal comfort.
  • Even after sitting on the cushion for a long period (two hours or more) the cushion remains comfortable.
  • The cushion reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve and, when turned through 45 degrees so that the cutout is in the centre at the back of the chair it relieves pressure on the coccyx.
  • The instructions accompanying the cushion are clear and easy to follow.

Conclusion

There are many, varied cushions available online and which one you choose is down to personal choice. The Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion is based on patient feedback gathered during the design and testing in the product development. The testimonies gathered during testing and after indicate we have designed an effective product. The product has pressure-mapping results, which demonstrate that when used as per the instructions, it does reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.

When searching for a cushion for sciatica do your research and consider you options carefully.

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Kate
Kate
2 years ago

My commute to and from work is roughly 30 minutes one way. After 20 minutes, my low back, pelvic floor, and hips are killing me. I have a sports car and have a cushion that is memory foam but it’s too hard. Without the cushion is even worse. I have pain radiating from my left buttock mostly to my ankle. I’m desperate. Can’t go anywhere anymore or travel at all because I’m in excruciating pain to the point I’m writhing in pain. Do you have any suggestions?

Katie Blair
Katie Blair
2 years ago

After a half an hour or so the glutes in my buttocks (it can be on either side, but mostly on the left side) get a burning pain that won’t let up. I can get SLIGHT relief from by placing my hand under the painful side and try to elevate the buttock a little. I need something for relief. I have wondered about a little pillow to fit under my butt cheek or even a rolled towel. I have had sciatica for many years. I am unable to stand for any length of time, etc. What seat would you recommend? TY!

Carolyn Von Seggern
Carolyn Von Seggern
3 years ago

By looking at the photo of the cushion, it appears it would make you sit crooked, or cocked to one side. If this is helpful to sciatica, I would certainly love trying it, however, it it could cause other low back issues due to sitting crooked, I would need to know that, can you help?

Patricia Keller
Patricia Keller
Reply to  Carolyn Von Seggern
2 years ago

I would like to know the answer to this question too!
Patricia

Candy Hazen
Candy Hazen
3 years ago

Does the home/office cushion work on a soft sofa? What would you. recommend?

JB
JB
3 years ago

I suffer from pain in both buttocks after sitting for more than an hour. My left side bothers me more than my right, I will be in the car for more than 10hrs in the next few weeks. What do you suggest? Can two cushions be used a once? A little background: I suffered from a high hamstring tear a few years ago. My PT called it death by a thousand cuts due to yoga and spin class. I haven’t been able to sit comfortably for more than an hour since.

DAVID CATRON
DAVID CATRON
3 years ago

Sitting in my recliner really irritates my sciatic nerve in my lower back on my left side. What do you recommend for comfort.

Evan w Lane
Evan w Lane
3 years ago

What does the sciatic pain relief cushion look like? I find any seat that puts pressure on the back part of my legs is very hard to take. If a power seat tilts forward enough great but most don’t. I pick up cars for a living, any help would be very much appreciated.

Jacob B. Groby III
Jacob B. Groby III
3 years ago

After about an hours drive I get the Pain in my leg as described by others, can you please provide a Catalog number or where to purchase the Car/Travel cushion to try. Funny thing is that it happens in my 2007 Marquis and my 2019 Journey BUT NOT my 1960 GMC Truck Bench seat – go figure

Thanks
Jake

Tom Methven
Tom Methven
Reply to  Jacob B. Groby III
1 year ago

Hi
I’ve been suffering excruciating pain from piriformis syndrome for 6 weeks . It affects my right leg from toe to hip .

I’ve had medical and physio therapy support and treatment but the pain remains .

It definitely gets worse when I I sit for any length of time and I’ve been told the reason Is that sitting squeezes the piriformis muscle on to the sciatic nerve

I have been told to buy a cushion that ensures that when I sit, my knees are always at a level below my hips.

Does the sciatic pain relief cushion do this. ?

If not Can you recommend another cushion?

Thanks for your help

Tom Methven

Karen Robson
Karen Robson
3 years ago

I need a sciatica cushion to ait onin my armchajr,which one is suitable

Margaret Green
Margaret Green
Reply to  Karen Robson
3 years ago

Will the sciatica cushion help with my sciatica when sitting in my chair at the moment I’ve noticed if I lie to one side on the chair it seems to take the pressure off my sciatica leg but this cannot be a good position for my back would this cushion be better for mysciatica and back.

BRENDAN Kelleher
BRENDAN Kelleher
4 years ago

I get sciatic in left leg if driving more than 1 hour

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