Arthritis Pain Relief: How to Choose the Best Chair for Comfort and Support

Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, making everyday activities like sitting down more difficult and uncomfortable. Finding the right chair can make a big difference to your comfort, posture, and mobility.

Whether you struggle with stiff joints, bad knees, or back pain, choosing a supportive ergonomic chair can help reduce strain and improve your overall wellbeing. In this guide, we’ll explain what to look for when choosing suitable chairs for joint pain and give an overview of the best chairs for arthritis sufferers. Taking you through the steps on how supportive seating can help you sit more comfortably for longer.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a common medical condition that’s estimated to affect around 10 million people in the UK. The main symptom of arthritis is joint pain, swelling and stiffness. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although there are more than a hundred different forms of the condition.

  • Osteoarthritis: a result of wear and tear on the joints over time. It usually affects older people – although it can also affect children, teenagers and young adults.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: is an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system attacks the joints, and it can affect anyone, at any age.

The symptoms of arthritis vary from person to person. Symptoms can range from mild pain or discomfort to being severely debilitating.

What type of chair is best for arthritis?

Choosing the right chair can help to alleviate your aches, pains, niggles and knots. Therefore, it’s a good idea to invest in an ergonomic chair if you have arthritis.

Ergonomic chairs are made with the natural curves of the human body in mind – in particular, the spine. They offer proper lumbar support to maintain the natural curve of your spine, minimising stress on your lower back and hips.

Cushioning is also important when it comes to finding a comfortable chair. Many people with arthritis find that the pressure on their joints can cause pressure points, meaning it can be painful to sit down on hard chairs, especially for long periods. Chairs with plenty of padding can help to reduce discomfort when sitting down, whether you’re relaxing, reading or watching TV.

Supportive features to look out for in chairs

The best chairs for arthritis prioritise comfort, with features to help you manage joint pain. One of the most important features is lumbar support.

If you suffer with lower back pain, which is a common symptom of arthritis - you should look out for a chair that reduces the pressure on your lower back. In practice, that means that you’ll want to choose a chair that supports your spine from the top of your back and neck all the way down to your lower back.

HSL's Exclusive Chair Fitting service, which is Occupational Therapist-approved, will ensure your furniture perfectly complements your posture. We'll check that every point of the body is supported, providing maximum comfort and improving overall well-being.

In your chair fitting, we'll assess the chair height and width, and seat depth. We'll check that the 7 pressure points of your body are being fully supported, including:

  • Hip position
  • Feet position
  • Calf position
  • Arm positions
  • Back support
  • Neck and head support
  • Width of chair compared to your body

We'll assess things like chair height, seat depth, and chair width while checking that your neck, head, arms, hips, and lower back are fully supported - helping to reduce pain, niggles, and knots. Our Comfort Specialist will then be able to recommend the comfort solution best suited to you and your posture.

What are the best sitting positions for arthritis?

Everyone is different, and the best sitting position for you may depend on where you experience pain. Independent Occupational Therapist at HSL, Julie Jennings, commented: “Over time many of us develop what is known as a ‘Comfort Posture.’ 

This term refers to the most comfortable position adopted whilst sitting, and, for many, this is sitting with our legs crossed. Sitting with your legs crossed too often or for prolonged periods of time can cause strain across the hips and lower back, resulting in aches, pains, and poor circulation. In order to improve circulation in the legs, it’s important to practise good, seated posture. With this in mind, I’d suggest sitting in an upwards position, with your shoulders and back relaxed and feet flat on the ground to ensure that your legs and hips are getting the support that they need.”

Tips for sitting comfortably with arthritis

There are a few best practice tips everyone can bear in mind to make you more comfortable when sitting down:

  • Maintain good posture. That means sitting upright with a straight back, and relaxed (but not slumped) shoulders. Ideally, your hips and knees should be at 90-degree angles.
  • Support your lumbar spine. Your chair should offer good lumbar support to help you maintain the natural curvature of your spine.
  • Your feet should be flat on the floor. and if you can’t lower your seat, use a footrest.
  • Alternatively, if you have a recliner chair, you can elevate your feet. This is great for back pain, as it takes the strain off the spine, meaning you can sit more comfortably for longer.

It’s also recommended that you change your position every so often. Sitting in the same position for too long can cause your joints to stiffen up. Stretching, standing, or adjusting the tilt of your chair can help to relieve pain, encourage blood circulation, and loosen up your joints.

The benefits of recliners and rise & recline chairs

Recliners and rise and recline chairs are a great option for arthritis patients and people living with arthritis. They can make movement easier, reduce pressure on your joints, and provide personalised comfort and support to help you sit more comfortably.

Recliner chairs allow you to adjust the backrest and footrest, meaning you can easily find a comfortable position at the touch of a button. A recliner gives you the option to try several different angles to find the one that minimises pressure on your joints – and because that might vary throughout the day, depending on how you’re feeling and how long you’ve been sitting down, you can easily switch it up.

How can sitting posture help arthritis pain?

And because recliners allow you to easily change your position, from sitting upright to being reclined, they can help to reduce stiffness and improve your blood circulation. That’s important for people with arthritis, as better blood circulation can improve your joint flexibility and reduce inflammation.

Riser recliner chairs are motorised armchairs that lift and tilt to help you get in and out of the seat. Making them a particularly good choice for those with mobility issues. The riser helps to take the strain off your joints, particularly your hips, knees and lower back, as you sit down and stand up.

The gentle rising mechanism in riser recliner chairs helps users maintain stability during standing, reducing the risk of falls. This is particularly important for individuals with arthritis, as joint pain and stiffness can impact balance.

And, like recliner chairs, riser recliner chairs offer a range of adjustable seating positions. So you can find the most comfortable angle for you to reduce pressure points and improve comfort when sitting down.

What to look for when buying a chair for arthritis

When choosing a chair for arthritis relief, comfort should always come first — but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. The right chair can improve posture, reduce pressure on your joints, and make everyday sitting more comfortable.

Look for supportive features such as lumbar support, adjustable positioning, and designs that are easy to get in and out of. Recliner and rise and recline chairs can be especially helpful for reducing strain on your hips, knees, and back.

If you need help finding the right fit, try HSL’s Chair Finder tool or book a free Chair Fitting appointment in-store or at home with one of our comfort specialists.

Visit your local showroom, arrange a home visit or call our friendly customer care team to learn more.