Back pain is a problem affecting more and more people. In a world where people spend more and more time sitting, whether working or resting, this pain can make life difficult, making it hard to find a comfortable position to sit or lie down. Not sure what might be causing it? Have you thought about your sofa?
The sofa is one of the most used pieces of furniture in the home. We spend hours on it watching TV, reading, working or even napping. But if the sofa doesn't offer good support, isn't ergonomic or isn't well made, it may be causing your back pain or making it worse.
How can a bad sofa cause back pain?
Back pain is a common condition affecting huge numbers of people worldwide. It can have many causes, such as physical injuries that may be more or less serious. That's why we advise consulting a professional.
However, back pain can sometimes be caused or made worse by something as simple as sitting on a poor-quality sofa: one that is too soft or too hard, too low or too high, too deep or too shallow, or whose design makes it unergonomic, leading to poor posture and other problems such as:
- Poor posture can twist the spine. As the spine is so central to the body, this can lead to other problems such as pressure on the discs, nerves, muscles and ligaments, causing pain and stiffness.
- Some muscles may be used more than others. This can create tension and weakness in your muscles and affect your alignment and stability.
- Blood vessels may be compressed and circulation to various parts of the body reduced, increasing inflammation and pain.
How to choose a quality sofa to avoid back pain
If your back pain is caused by your sofa, the answer is simple: you need to switch to a quality sofa that supports your back, is ergonomic and well made. A quality sofa is one that:
- Has firm but comfortable padding. A firm cushion can provide proper support for your spine and pelvis and prevent sagging. A comfortable cushion can adapt to the shape of your body and distribute your weight evenly. For this, we recommend sofas that use high-resilience foam, which provides the necessary support while staying comfortable. At SUFFA, all our sofas use this type of foam, and you can choose the firmness that suits you best.
- Has the right height and depth. This will vary from person to person, depending mainly on your height. Ideally, the sofa should be high enough for your feet to touch the floor with your knees at a 90-degree angle when you sit. The depth should allow you to sit with your back against the backrest and leave a few centimetres between the edge of the cushion and the back of your knees.
- Has a supportive backrest and armrests. A supportive backrest and armrests help you maintain good posture and avoid slouching. The backrest should be high enough to support your whole back and have a slight curve to follow the natural shape of your spine. The armrests should be at a comfortable height and width so you can rest your arms without raising or lowering your shoulders. An excellent sofa that meets these requirements is our Napoli.
- Has a durable, easy-to-clean fabric. A durable, easy-to-clean fabric helps your sofa last longer and stay clean and fresh. You may want to choose a stain-resistant, water-resistant or washable fabric. You may also want to avoid fabrics that are too rough or too smooth, as they can irritate your skin or make you slide off the sofa.
Back pain is a common problem that can affect your quality of life. If your pain comes from your sofa, it may be time to think about buying a new one, and now you know what features to look out for when making your next choice.
