Choosing the Right Saddle Chair for Your Hip Pain

In recent times, an increasing number of people have found themselves complaining about hip pain, and surprisingly, the culprit might just be lurking right under them – the chair they're sitting on. Hip pain is becoming a common issue, often overlooked until it becomes a persistent problem. However, the good news is that by making the right choice when it comes to seating, you can alleviate this discomfort and even prevent it from happening in the first place.

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition in people who spend a major portion of their time sitting in a chair. Though an age factor, it is more common in older people. Hence, a proper solution is required. This may include exercises, reduction in time spent sitting, and other supplements, but the most workable solution is to switch your regular chair with an ergonomic drafting chair.

These chairs for osteoarthritis are also known as a saddle chair for hip pain. A saddle chair works by encouraging body movements hence preventing prolonged stress on the hip joint. Below, I have reviewed some of the best saddle chairs for hip pain caused by sitting.

Read these saddle chair reviews and discover the best product for you.

Why Do Chairs Cause Hip Pain?

Chairs are not inherently designed to cause hip pain, but the way they are designed and used can lead to discomfort and, over time, contribute to hip pain. Let's delve into the various reasons why some office chairs can be a source of hip pain:

Poor Ergonomics

Many traditional chairs lack proper ergonomic design. They may have flat seats, inadequate lumbar support, or a fixed backrest angle, which can force users into unhealthy sitting postures. Poor ergonomics can result in a forward-slumped position, causing pressure on the hips and lower back. This sustained position can lead to hip pain and discomfort over time.

Lack of Adjustability

Chairs that cannot be adjusted to suit individual body shapes and sizes can be a significant cause of hip pain. When a chair does not allow you to customize the seat height, depth, or backrest angle, it becomes challenging to maintain a posture that keeps the hips properly aligned.

Insufficient Padding

Chairs with inadequate cushioning or padding can lead to hip discomfort. When you sit on a chair with minimal padding, your hip bones may come into direct contact with the seat, causing pressure points that can lead to soreness and pain.

Seat Shape and Design

The shape of the chair seat matters. Chairs with narrow, deep, or contoured seats can create discomfort for some individuals. These seats can push the thighs together or force the hips into unnatural positions, increasing the risk of hip pain.

Prolonged Sitting

Regardless of the chair's design, sitting for extended periods without breaks can contribute to hip pain. When you sit for too long without moving, it can lead to stiffness and reduced blood flow to the hip area, resulting in discomfort.

Lack of Lumbar Support

A lack of proper lumbar support can affect your sitting posture, which, in turn, impacts your hip health. When the lower back isn't adequately supported, you might compensate by slouching, which can put extra strain on your hips and lower back.

Inadequate Backrest

Back support for office chairs that are too short or lack contouring can fail to provide sufficient support for the spine and pelvis. This can lead to poor alignment of the hips, contributing to hip pain, especially in the lower back and sacroiliac region.

Materials and Padding Quality

The quality of materials used in the chair, including the padding and upholstery, plays a role in hip comfort. Chairs with subpar materials may degrade over time, resulting in uneven padding and an uncomfortable sitting surface.

What Chair Is Best for Hip Pain?

To alleviate or prevent hip pain, it's crucial to choose chairs that address these issues and promote proper posture and comfort during extended periods of sitting. Saddle chairs, for instance, are designed to mitigate many of these problems and are often recommended for individuals experiencing hip discomfort.

Saddle chairs often provide relief to individuals with hip pain by reducing pressure on the hips and lower back, making them a popular choice for those seeking comfort and support during extended periods of sitting.

Look for an office chair with a footrest and an excellent ergonomic design, including adjustable seat height and depth, lumbar support, and a backrest that encourages a natural, upright posture. Opt for a chair with sufficient padding to reduce pressure on the hips and a contoured seat that helps distribute weight evenly.

Top Saddle Chairs For Hip Pain

We'll explore the connection between chairs and hip pain, guide you on selecting the best ergonomic chair for your needs, and review in detail the top three saddle chairs designed specifically to address hip pain.

1. Bambach Saddle Seat

I recommend the Bambach saddle seat to address the hip joint issue. It seems like a seat that is designed for this exact purpose, but once you start using it, you will find your life changing for the better. Even though a saddle chair for the office has been around for years now, you find them regularly in a dental office, a reception, or a music studio.

But products like Bambach have made saddle chairs suitable for all kinds of workplaces. Firstly, I love the clever design of Bambach. Upon sitting, I felt the pressure relieving my back, lower spine, and hip joint. This is because of the forward pelvic tilt, which keeps the spine straight without any conscious effort. This straightened spine position encourages a natural lumbar position, so you automatically attain an upright sitting posture.

It also keeps your feet straight at the ground, forming a right angle, but if you want to use it with a higher table, I recommend installing a foot ring for office chair to prevent your feet from dangling in the air.

When compared to other best saddle stools, this chair ranks at the high side of the budget and that might be the only factor to pass on it. However, if you frequently spend extended amounts of time in front of a computer, keyboard, etc., at home, or if you require a very comfortable stool for late-night internet browsing or book reading, the Bambach saddle stool might be something to think about.

Bambach Classic Small Ergonomic Saddle Stool

130 reviews

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2. Master Massage Berkeley Split Saddle Stool

Among the best saddle chairs for hip pain, this exceptional saddle stool is thoughtfully designed with features tailored to provide optimal comfort and support, making it an ideal choice. The stool boasts an adjustable height range, ensuring customizable seating to accommodate various body types and preferences.

Its innovative pneumatic lift mechanism, akin to high-end office chairs, guarantees smooth and effortless height adjustments. Crafted with a saddle seat design, this cross-legged office chair is engineered to alleviate painful pressure on the back and spine, making it an excellent choice for those seeking comfort during prolonged sitting.

The seat is generously cushioned with two inches of special small-cell foam, which not only delivers superior comfort but is also permanently molded to the seat base, ensuring long-lasting durability.

With a safety weight rating of 660 lbs. and a chair weight of 17.6 lbs., this royal blue saddle stool for hip pain combines functionality, durability, and ergonomic design to offer the utmost comfort.

Master Massage Berkeley Ergonomic Split Style Saddle Stool

79 reviews

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3. Jobri Saddle Chair

Named as the better posture saddle chair, the Jobri Saddle chair is indeed a good pick for someone who desires comfort and affordability at once. I admire how the chair ticks most of the requirements without straining your budget unnecessarily. The waterfall effect allows the hanging of legs in a free fall position, which might seem uncomfortable but works well to relieve hip and thigh pressure. However, you could always opt for an office chair footrest attachment if you wish to rest your feet against a support.

The next admirable quality of this chair is the high-quality steel construction. This durable frame makes the chair long-lasting and can bear up to 250 pounds. For a user tall like me, the chair also has height adjustability up to 7 inches.

As for maintenance, you can easily find office chair parts for the Jobri office chair in case of a breakage though that is less likely to occur. The seat is made up of leather with an easy clean property.

As for mobility, Jobri has a star base with five wheels with tough casters. It allows you to move freely around the desk and saves the hassle of getting up from the stool several times a day. The wheel casters also move freely on a hardwood floor as well as the carpeted floor in my workplace.

Jobri BetterPosture Saddle Chair

286 reviews

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4. Branch Saddle Chair

I have never experienced anything like the new Branch Saddle Chair, mainly because it's not designed like other office chairs. The Saddle Chair is a low-profile stool with a distinctive profile that helps you stand up more, move freely, and stay comfortable. It is simple to store beneath your desk when you're ready to end the day. Its design makes it simpler to use than a standard, heavy office chair when used with a standing desk (particularly in a small home office).

As a result, you'll be more likely to get up from your desk and move about frequently, thus encouraging mobility throughout the day. I find it to be a great addition to my ergonomic work setup as the chair takes the tiniest space but offers the comfort of a fully padded seat. Though not literally, but from a pressure-relieving point of view.

But one thing I would like to comment on is the thin padding of the seat, which is not exactly uncomfortable but could be made breezier with a little bit of extra cushioning. However, one great thing about this chair is that you can find many versions of it. One version includes a backrest too for longer work hours, which I didn't find in most of the other saddle chairs on the market. Overall, it is a great chair that works exactly around the idea of a saddle chair and helps you enjoy the benefits of a saddle stool in a standing desk arrangement.

Branch Saddle Chair

34 reviews

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5. HOMCOM Ergonomic Rolling Saddle Stool

For those who suffer from hip discomfort, this adjustable rolling bar stool is a practical and ergonomic option. With a height range of 19.5" to 24", it enables users to choose the ideal height to relieve strain on the hips and spine. Height is adjusted by a galvanized steel hydraulic lift and handy lever.

The ergonomic fake leather saddle seat provides good support while minimizing joint and muscle strain, making it the perfect choice for jobs that need a lot of sitting. Heavy-duty steel foundation and five-star rolling legs assure stability and prevent tipping or twisted metal.

People with hip problems may move easily while seated because to the dual-wheel casters and 360-degree swivel, which eliminate the need to get up.

HOMCOM Ergonomic Rolling Saddle Stool

264 reviews

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6. RHXX Saddle and Rolling Chair

This ergonomic saddle stool boasts a thoughtfully designed high-density rebound sponge cushion with a backrest shaped to improve spine and back health while promoting better digestion. This unique saddle shape effectively relieves fatigue, making it an excellent choice for individuals experiencing hip pain.

The stool offers adjustable height and angle functions, allowing users to customize their seating experience to suit their needs and preferences, ideal for those with extended sitting requirements. Crafted from high-end leather, the seat cushion is soft, comfortable, and breathable, while the thick, adjustable backrest cares for the spine independently and at multiple angles.

This versatile stool finds applications in various settings, and its ergonomic design and customizable features make it a great choice for individuals seeking relief from hip pain.

RHXX Saddle Stool Rolling Work Chair

10 reviews

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Conclusion - What is the Best Pick?

Considering several occupational situations and a full round of benefits, the Bambach saddle seat is a top-tier choice. For someone seriously looking for a work chair that 'works,' the Bambach has all the qualities to be the top choice. Even though the price tag is hefty, I believe a good office chair is a one-time investment that will live with you for years of comfort and unmatched productivity.

How do we Test and Choose the Best Saddle Chairs?

During my saddle stool research, I realized that the idea of a saddle stool works differently than other types of chairs. This is because a saddle stool varies from person to person and what might fit one person may not be even a tad bit comfortable for the other. However, here are my two cents on listing the best saddle chairs that suit the majority of people.

Seat Size and Design

Choosing the appropriate saddle is essential. When choosing a saddle, five main physical criteria need to be considered: leg length, overall height, hip flexibility, pelvic width, and torso size. Every element is important in choosing the best design for the user. The saddle seat that I have picked offers an average of each length and width, making them usable for a wide range of people.

Seat Height

It would help if you were high enough to receive the full benefits of your saddle. If you are tall enough, you will be able to open your hip angle and assume a more relaxed and natural posture. The height at which your upper legs most naturally conform to the contour of the seat is ideal for you.

Mobility

For individuals who want to avoid problems later on and are required to sit for more than 6 hours every day, mobility and flexibility-promoting saddles are a terrific option. Increased range of motion will lower the risk of back issues and increase performance at work.