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Sitting with hips higher than my knees.

(15 Posts)
teabagwoman Fri 31-Jan-25 08:00:46

Has anybody else had to do this and how did you manage it? Apparently my lumbar spine is too flat and stiff which is aggravating my mobility problems and sciatica. My physio has advised me to use cushions so that I always sit with my hips higher than my knees. I’m trying but finding it rather difficult and uncomfortable. It has reduced my pain so I’m hoping to find a better way to do it. Does anyone have any suggestions please?

Jaxjacky Fri 31-Jan-25 08:09:03

You can buy a booster cushion like this one which would help.

Jaxjacky Fri 31-Jan-25 08:10:31

Try picture again

jusnoneed Fri 31-Jan-25 08:17:15

Maybe a firm pillow or two would be better than cushions? They may be easier to position as I would think you'd need to have the higher portion of where your sitting to be towards the back of your chair, so that your knees are lower than your hips.

tanith Fri 31-Jan-25 08:21:36

After my hip surgery I had a swivel adjustable office chair with arms that I found quite comfortable. I adjusted it high so my feet dangled a bit.
Alternatively go to Amazon and put in adult booster seat there are lots of comfy looking options.

NotSpaghetti Fri 31-Jan-25 08:21:53

This is the position you should sit in at a computer/desk.
I think I'd buy a fully adjustable computer chair as you really need a slightly sloping seat I think. The (quite old) one in our study wasn't very expensive but is super-comfortable.

Here's an NHS Cambridge article/leaflet which might be helpful.
www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/seating-and-ergonomics/#:~:text=Adjust%20chair%20height%20so%20hips,lumbar%20support%20for%20correct%20fit.https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/seating-and-ergonomics/#:~:text=Adjust%20chair%20height%20so%20hips,lumbar%20support%20for%20correct%20fit.

I hope you feel better soon.

Jaxjacky Fri 31-Jan-25 08:55:55

I think it depends on how tall you are too, I’m tall, so my knees would be lower with a booster

teabagwoman Fri 31-Jan-25 09:08:50

Yes, Jusnoneed I think you’re right about using a firm pillow until I get a more permanent solution. An office chair sounds like a good idea Tanith, I’m wondering if our charity shop that sells furniture might have one. NotSpaghetti, the info sheet is really useful and I’ve passed it on to my dd who also has back problems. What would I do without Gransnet???

jusnoneed Fri 31-Jan-25 10:34:34

Just googled and came across this teabagwoman. Be useful as you could move it from one seat to another.
www.posturite.co.uk/posturite-11-degree-wedge?ev_site_selection=consumer&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyoihut-fiwMV0ZFQBh0X5RaWEAQYASABEgKcGvD_BwE

My son has just bought an all singing and dancing gaming/computer chair where everything tilts an moves but he had to get it from overseas. He didn't say how much it cost though!

NotSpaghetti Fri 31-Jan-25 10:43:24

Cross posted tanith about computer chairs.

Ours is super comfortable and really easy to adjust.

Even places like IKEA sell them now.

This company sells gaming chairs:

boulies.co.uk/collections/all?sort_by=price-ascending&_gl=1*1ygew5z*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*NTAxOTMyMzQyLjE3MzgzMTk5MjM.*_ga_2K3YHQKM2Y*MTczODMxOTkxNy4xLjAuMTczODMxOTkxNy4wLjAuMA..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhvK8BhDfARIsABsPy4gWVkKUQQBRCOZmEHCWxB3ehJVeW-u9OHqe69Jai6RKsfDMIsNRaRwaAn24EALw_wcB

This is the firm my father in law used. I think they are too expensive for me though - would probably be great if you spent hours working at a desk.
.
www.hermanmiller.com/en_gb/products/seating/office-chairs/performance-seating/

teabagwoman Fri 31-Jan-25 10:57:05

Thank you jusnoneed that looks very interesting. Off to measure my chairs.

midgey Fri 31-Jan-25 11:03:45

You can buy chair raisers, sort of pods for chair legs to raise the height of the entire chair. Available on eBay.

Whiff Fri 31-Jan-25 11:05:17

Occupational therapist gave me a pressure cushion to sit on but I use it on my sofa have my legs on it because it's a pressure cushion they are level and it doesn't sag. Another tip when sitting on the loo have your knees and hips level . That way you empty your bladder and bowels completely. A nurse gave me that tip when I had 16 UTIs and kidney infections. And also sit a bit longer as there's always bit more wee.
I have an ease toilet which looks like normal toilet but taller to make it easier for me to get on and off . So I use a toddler step to put my feet on.

lauralordelaure Thu 08-May-25 05:57:02

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karmalady Thu 08-May-25 07:01:10

I have several devices to prevent poor posture and the resulting backpain

I also have a lovely zero gravity chair that can take the weight off my whole body when reclined but I need to also use it in the vertical position, resulting in a much less supportive slumping position. I

have a good back support from ebay, it is rigid and definitely raises my hips called sissel dorsaback

I also have a putnams wedge, simply a normal wedge to raise my hips and I have small cushions handy for the small of my back, useful to have with the sissel support. Being little 4`10 does not help at all because normal chair backs are meant for the average 5`6 + the slope is in the wrong place for us

I am always tempted to use a pouffe for my feet but that also can change my hip/knee position in a bad way

My rigid modern wooden rocking chair helps my back, the movement of it helps, rather than sitting still