Nursing your back after surgery will try your patience, but you could be in for a much worse experience if you use the wrong chair. It could actually be the culprit if your situation seems to be worsening. You deserve the best chair after back surgery in order to heal faster and without any complications. 

Go back to your doctor for advice just in case you doubt whether you need a special chair for your recovering back. But for the most part, you need one. In fact, some situations will require you to sleep on a recliner or special chair until you are fully healed. 

Now, the most difficult part will be the search for the right type. It wasn’t easy, but I filtered through the available options and left you with only the best. 

By considering the reclining mechanism, comfort level, style, and other factors, I narrowed it down to the following as the best chairs to use after back surgery. 

  At A Glance:  Our Top Best Chair After Back Surgery

Comparison Table

Best Chair After Back Surgery — Reviews

1. Yandel Power Lift Recliner

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Sometimes you will have a tough time getting out of a chair or adjusting one side of your body after surgery. That’s where the Yandel power lift recliner comes in. It’s designed to offer optimal comfort while ensuring your body is in the best position for faster recovery. 

Key Features

• Power reclining
• Lift and tilt function
• Emergency battery backup
• Upholstery: faux leather
• Adjustable footrest
• Soft-cushioning
• Metal reinforcement 

At the press of a button, this chair can recline to a position of your liking or gently lift your body to an upright position before tilting to ease you into your feet, ensuring you don’t hurt yourself while switching positions. 

For custom positioning, you can adjust the footrest to elevate your legs while separately aligning your back for ultimate comfort. Also, this recliner has foam cushions for added comfort and comes wrapped in a fabric that feels good and lasts long. 

Pros

• Lift and tilt function makes it easier to recline, sit, and get out of the chair
• Battery backup ensures continued comfort in case of power failure
• Back and footrest operate independently for custom positioning
• Power recliner saves you from using effort and moving your body around
• Metal reinforcement makes the chair more durable 

Cons

• No massage or heat function, but you get added comfort through soft cushioning and good fabric

Yandel power lift recliner is no doubt the go-to recliner chair after back surgery. All the moments you spend on it will be free of pain and discomfort. It’s also easy to operate and offers the best value for money. 

2. Aairah Faux Leather Power Reclining Heated Massage Chair By Red Barrel Studio

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If you cannot afford the Yandel power lift recliner, this would be a great alternative. Just like its rival, it’s a power recliner that can gently ease you into different positions. But because it has fewer motors, some functions such as the footrest and back may not be able to operate independently. 

Nonetheless, it guarantees great comfort and quick recovery for patients nursing back surgery. 

Key Features

• Massage type: vibration
• Heating function 
• Adjustable footrest and headrest
• Upholstery: PU leather

You can lie down on this chair all day without experiencing any discomfort thanks to its heated massage function and faux leather. And when you recline, the footrest too will extend to position your legs at an angle that guarantees utmost relaxation. 

In addition, this particular recliner has cup holders and pockets to store your things, thus saving you the need to get up every time you want something. Such convenience is an added benefit when recovering from a surgery that requires less movement. 

Pros

• No need to get off the chair; just use the tilt and lift function
• Massage and heating functions to promote healing and physical wellness
• Thick high-density foam for superior comfort
• Metal frame for increased durability 
• Cup holders and side pockets add to the chair’s convenience

Cons 

• No custom comfort positioning, but this should not be an issue unless you have a special case

This chair will fit perfectly in your living room, balcony, bedroom, or even office and help you have relaxing afternoons and evenings while catching up on news or entertainment. It’s a budget option in its class that you will never go wrong with. 

3. Cranston Faux Leather Heated Massage Chair By Winston Porter

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Even as you recover from your back surgery, at some point, you will have to get back to work. Whether you are working from home or at the office, you will be best served with a heated recliner that swivels and is designed to keep you comfortable for long periods of time while relieving fatigue. This model from Winston Porter is a perfect example.  

Key Features

• Six massage settings 
• Vibration options
• Heating function
• Remote control
• Upholstery: faux leather

In addition to versatile massage settings, this chair has vibration options and built-in independent heating to deal with any pain, discomfort, or aches in your upper and lower back. Couple that with faux leather, and you have an ultra-comfortable chair that will speed up your recovery process. 

Another great feature you will love is the pneumatic gas lift base, which helps you lower or lift your chair to a working position that doesn’t stress your back and puts zero pressure on your spinal discs. 

All these features combined will promote your recovery process while ensuring you work in comfort. 

Pros

• Multiple massage settings that can be adjusted to suit your specific needs
• Independent heating function to warm up your chair for added comfort
• Remote control to help you operate the chair with ease 
• Made with faux leather for superior comfort and to increase the chair’s durability 
• Padded armrests, back, seat, and neck for extra comfort

Cons

• Manual recline, but it operates smoothly, saving you the need to use a lot of strength

Your days at the office or home workstation don’t have to be a painful and stressful experience. Get this chair to help you work in comfort and recover faster from your back surgery. There are different colors available to suit your specific taste and home decor. 

4. Nouhaus Modern Massage Chair With Ottoman

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Imagine a chair that gets almost everything right, from style and comfort to practicability and pricing. It basically has a good balance of everything you would want in a chair for your recovering back. It doesn’t recline, but Nouhaus added an ottoman to help you stretch out and unwind in comfort. 

Key Features

• Spine l-track rollers
• Adjustable airbags
• Massage technique: kneading 
• Full-body heating
• Upholstery: PU leather
• Swivel
• Matching ottoman

Knowing you would need some relief and comfort in your lower back, Nouhaus fitted this chair with eight synchronized massage nodes on the l-frame track that move up and down to massage your pain points. You can amplify the comfort by activating the seat heat and custom airbags. 

Underneath the pillow, you have four rotating massage nodes to ease the tension in your shoulders and neck. The best part is you won’t use your strength to switch between different massage settings. Every function is featured on the remote control. 

Pros

• Full-body massage
• Massage settings can be customized to serve a specific spot such as glute and back
• Detachable neck cushion for custom spine alignment 
• Several colors available to match your interior decor
• Heat function to keep you warm
• Diamond-cut stitching for a stylish look

Cons

• No recline function, but the ottoman helps with the stretching 
• Relatively expensive 

Not only does it help to heal and comfort your recovering back, but this chair also caters to the rest of your body, ensuring you relax without any discomfort. It may be expensive, but you get your money’s worth from Nouhaus. For many of its users, it remains the best home chair after back surgery. 

How To Search For The Best Chair To Sit In After Back Surgery

After back surgery, you will need a chair that supports a healthy posture. Recliners, for instance, can help to ease your discomfort and pain. There’s a lot for you to consider in choosing one, and I’ll walk you through the most essential factors. 

Reclining Mechanism & Position

To begin with, make sure the reclining mechanism on the chair is automated. A manual one would require strength and body movement, which could slow down the healing process. 

You will also benefit massively from an adjustable back and headrest. This will allow for better spinal alignment. 

Another essential feature you should look out for is the zero-gravity position. It’s where your legs are raised to the same level as your heart to ease pressure from your spine, ensuring instant relief. 

Comfort Level

Whether or not you will be spending more time on the chair, it needs to be comfortable. Start by making sure the upholstery is cozy. Microsuede, fabric, and microfiber are known to be soft and cozier compared to leather. 

It would also be great if there’s a massage function, although you shouldn’t use this feature straight after surgery. Consult your doctor on how long you should wait. But when it’s okay to use this function, it will help to relieve the post-surgery pain and speed up healing and recovery. 

Other features that add to a chair’s comfort include vibration, heat therapy, airbags, neck pillow, headrests, and footrest. 

Rocking And/Or Swivel 

As far as positions and movements go, some chairs are designed to only recline. But rocker recliners and swivel recliner chairs do way more than that. When you switch to these modes, your body and mind will focus on other things as opposed to only focusing on the back pains or related complications. 

Style

It’s not enough for the chair to only be useful and practical. If it’s stylish as well, you will even enjoy your time on it and this will promote your healing process. 

Durability & Material

Most chairs, especially recliners, use wood, metal, and steel frames. Prices between them vary, but the most important factor to consider is how long you will be using the chair. If the healing period is longer, then metal or steel frames would be ideal. 

The same goes for the material. Go for a long-lasting option like leather if you will be using the chair for a longer period. 

Remember to check the chair’s size and weight as well. Make sure it fits you well and is portable if you will be moving it around a lot. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Better To Sleep In A Recliner Or A Bed After Back Surgery?

The first few days after surgery will be frustrating. You will probably be fatigued and find yourself dealing with back pain and other related issues. 

Unlike recliners, a bed may not provide the best sleeping position and posture that will ease your back pain and speed up healing. But don’t just settle on any recliner; ask your doctor for guidance on what kind of recliner you should use and advice on how to sleep after back surgery. 

How Should I Sit After Lower Back Surgery?

Since we are talking about chairs, it would be best for you to know how you should sit. Before going any further, first, make sure your chair is of proper size. Work chairs should be able to rotate as well because body movements could slow down healing.

When sitting, always align your shoulders and hips to avoid slouching. If the chair has armrests, use your hands to support your body and then ease yourself into the seat while keeping your posture straight.

Watch the video below for more tips on how you should move your body after back surgery:

Best Chair To Sit In After Back Surgery (Winner)

As much as it lacks a massage and heating function, Yandel Power Lift Recliner is the favorite and go-to recliner chair after back surgery for many because of how well it optimizes its functions. 

You get the best powerlifting mechanism and enhanced comfort levels. It’s also stylish and designed to last long. When you are fresh from surgery and not “ripe” for a massage, this is the chair you will want to start with. But when the doctor okays you to go for massage therapy, the rest of the options will serve you well. 

Remember to only settle on a model that’s going to suit your specific needs and preferences. You can go back to our guide for help whenever you feel undecided. 

Lastly, don’t forget to consult your doctor first before going on to purchase what you believe to be the best home chair after back surgery. You don’t want to make the recovery process your worst nightmare. The days ahead will be better if you have the right and recommended chair.