Not really. A recliner provides you with a soothing and relaxing environment to relax after having a long, tiresome day. But they could be bad for the neck or cause neck pain in a few cases if they are used improperly, even though recliners are made to give your body and neck a relaxing platform. There are many situations when this happens.
For example, sitting in a recliner for long periods with your head and neck in a tilted position. Or, if the recliner is not adjusted properly to provide proper support for your neck, it can cause neck pain. If you’re not using a recliner correctly or have chosen one with inadequate neck support, it will definitely be able to cause potential neck pain or injury.
Are Recliners Bad For Your Neck | Key Takeaways
- Recliners can cause neck pain if used improperly, such as sitting for long periods with the head and neck in a tilted position or using a recliner with inadequate neck support.
- Strains are created in the neck muscles when sitting in a recliner with the head pushed forward for an extended period or if the recliner is too firm or soft, too high or too low.
- To avoid neck pain in a recliner, set your posture properly, choose the right angle for your posture, choose a recliner with good lumbar support, and make a bespoke pillow.
- Recliners are designed to provide more comfort and support for the body, including the neck, than many other types of chairs. Still, it can increase neck pain if used for prolonged periods.
When a Recliner Can Cause Neck Pain?
There is a complete story behind this. Sitting or relaxing in a recliner for too long strains your neck muscles. Imagine holding a glass of time with your arms stretched. It won’t hurt if you only keep it for 1 to 2 minutes. But if you hold that glass of water for an extended period, your arm will start getting hurt.
The pain occurs because the muscles don’t get the rest they need. The same case happens with your neck. When you sit in your recliner with your head being pushed forward for a long period, strains are created in your neck muscles. Additionally, if the recliner is too firm or soft, it may not provide the necessary support for the neck and cause pain.
Another case is when a recliner is too high or too low, it can cause strain on the neck muscles as well. But don’t stop using the recliner because of this reason, as I have provided ways to minimize the risk of getting neck pain. You should choose your recliner wisely, as many are considered the best for neck pain.
How to Avoid Neck Pain While Resting on a Recliner?
Set your Posture Properly.
You need to set your posture properly before sitting in a recliner chair. Bad posture may lead to serious health problems in the long run. You need to ensure that there isn’t any space left between your neck and the chair’s lumbar support. This is going to help you avoid any chances of neck pain.
Set the Right Angle for your Posture.
Setting the right angle in your posture has a significant impact on reducing the pain possibility. You can choose the angle right for you by experiencing various positions for reclining. Then take the angle approximation, and you can follow it along the time.
Choose your Recliner Wisely.
Try finding one where your neck feels comfortable to avoid any neck injury. Some recliners come with a built-in neck pillow. But you should not blindly choose that unless it is actually providing comfort to your whole body.
Make a Bespoke Pillow.
You can make a neck pillow and use it to avoid any pain which could lead to a neck injury. Use a hand towel to make the neck pillow. You need to roll it and use rubber bands or tape to tighten it. This is probably one of the easiest ways to conquer any possible injury, as you can set the pillow’s position according to your ease.
Ensure Having Lumbar Support.
A recliner’s lumbar support is crucial for neck and back pain. Before buying a recliner chair, you should first check its lumbar support. If you feel a more significant gap between your neck and the lumbar support, you should not choose that recliner, as bad support generates pain in your neck.
Neck Pain in Recliners vs other Chairs
Recliners are designed to provide more comfort and support for the body, including the neck, than many other types of chairs. They often have adjustable features such as lumbar support, headrests, and footrests and can help distribute body weight evenly, reducing neck pain.
On the other hand, other types of chairs, such as dining or office chairs, may not have the same level of support and adjustability as recliners, which can lead to increased neck pain if used for prolonged periods. However, improper use or adjustment of a recliner can still cause neck pain.
FAQs
Are Recliners Bad for Your Back and Neck?
We must remember that recliners are primarily used to provide comfort rather than give any potential harm. So, it is not good to think that recliners are unhealthy for your back and neck. Yes, you should take some precautions before using a recliner.
See, there are rules for everything, and you must follow these rules to get fruitful results. Before using a recliner, ensure that your back and neck collide with the recliner’s lumbar support. Doing so will keep your body safe from any possible harm.
Can a Recliner Hurt Your Neck?
Recliners are generally used to get a relaxing environment. But misusing the recliner can lead your neck to hurt. If you use a recliner for longer, it might generate strains in your neck muscles. You must have a proper posture to avoid harm to your body.
So yes, it is possible that a recliner could hurt your neck. But you can prevent this damage by following the proper posture, reclining at a perfect angle, and using a neck rest pillow.
Are Recliner Chairs Bad for Posture?
Recliners are actually proven to be good for posture. Resting in your recliner facilitates your back with comfort, unlike a regular chair, where sitting straight can lead to harm to your back. That’s why using a reclined position is proven good for your back.
Why Does My Neck Hurt Sitting in a Recliner?
Sitting in your recliner for a prolonged period, you might feel your neck sore. Your neck hurts because you are not changing your posture constantly. The recliner pushes your head forward, resulting in hurting the neck.
You can make a rolled towel using a hand towel and place it behind your neck to avoid neck pain. Your neck-hurting problem is definitely going to be resolved.
Summary:
I’m hoping you’ve learned everything you needed to know about the potential risks of using a recliner to your neck from this post. Recliners are the most comfortable seating option for people who suffer from neck pain.
Relax your back and neck in comfort with a recliner. For optimal relaxation, select a recliner that supports your neck and back.
Follow the mentioned guidelines when selecting a chair to reduce the likelihood of experiencing any discomfort.
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