The Best Toilet Seat For Sciatica

If you suffer from sciatica, then you know it can be extremely painful to sit down on the toilet. This can lead to other issues including constipation. A cushioned seat can help considerably since it adds a little rise to the toilet seat and reduces how much you have to bend down.

Best Toilet Seat for Sciatica

There are many options available for cushioned seats. Most of them come in a standard white or ivory color which blends in well with any bathroom decor. We have reviewed some seats that provide similar features including elevation and soft cushioning. Take a look at these products and see if any might work for your situation.

1. Duro-Med Padded Toilet Seat Cushion, 2-Inch

This toilet seat cushion provides extra comfort and minimizes pressure points while you are sitting on the toilet. It is designed with a 2-inch foam that is covered with tear-resistant white vinyl. 

The seat is easy to clean and should be wiped gently with an anti-bacterial cleaner. You can secure the padded cushion to your existing toilet seat using the strong hook and loop attached to the cushion. 

Pros:

• Easy to install securely
• 2-inch foam base
• Covered with tear-resistant vinyl

Cons:

• Center hole is much narrower than standard toilet seats

2. Duro-Med DMI 4-Inch Vinyl Foam Toilet Seat Cushion

This toilet seat cushion is 4-inches tall which provides adequate cushion to minimize pressure points while sitting on the toilet. It is constructed of 4-inch foam that is covered in tear-resistant vinyl.

The cushion attaches to the toilet seat with a strong hook and loop to hold it in place. It can be cleaned with any anti-bacterial cleaner and will fit most standard size toilet seats.

Pros:

• FSA-eligible
• Securely attaches to your existing toilet seat
• 4-inch foam base
• Covered with tear-resistant vinyl

Cons:

• Seat is very small
• Foam deflates which obscures the hole opening

3. Blue Jay Elevate Me Softly Foam Toilet Seat, 2-Inch

This padded toilet seat attaches directly to your existing toilet seat using the adjustable hook and loop closures. It comes with a cover which can be wiped down and cleaned easily.

This foam cushion seat provides comfort for those who suffer from pain. The soft foam reduces pressure on the sensitive areas of your body while providing relief from pain. The cushion has a wide frontal opening to reduce risk of leaks.

Pros:

• 2-inch foam base
• Includes a cover
• Adds height while providing a soft cushion
• Attaches to existing toilet seat with velcro straps

Cons:

• Foam deflates which obscures the hole opening

4. Blue Jay Elevate Me Softly Foam Toilet Seat, 4-Inch

This cushion provides a soft seating area for a comfortable posture while minimizing pressure on the lower body. The soft padded foam cushion is attached to the existing toilet seat with hook and loop closures. The cover that comes with this cushion can be wiped down with any anti-bacterial cleaner.

The seat cushion is designed to fit most standard size toilet seats. The lightweight design of the seat makes it easy to carry and use anywhere.

Pros:

• 4-inch foam base
• Attaches securely to the toilet seat with velcro straps
• Adds height while providing a soft cushion

Cons:

• Center hole is much narrower than standard toilet seats

5. Mabis Healthcare DMI Vinyl Cushion Toilet Seat, 2-Inch

This cushioned seat is constructed of foam padding with a vinyl covering. It fits most standard sized toilets and attaches securely to the existing toilet seat with hook and loop straps.

This cushioned toilet seat provides an additional 2-inches of height which helps you sit down at the toilet and helps minimize pain associated with sciatica. It can be cleaned with any anti-bacterial cleaner.

Pros:

• 2-inch foam base
• Vinyl cover
• Attaches using hook and loop straps

Cons:

• Foam is too soft and obscures the opening when you sit down on it

Features To Consider

If you need a cushioned seat to help ease the pain of sciatica, then you should consider a couple of specific features before you decide on a product. Here are some items to consider when picking a cushioned seat.

Material Type

You want to be sure the seat is made with a soft but sturdy foam insert. If the foam is too soft, it will just flatten out and obscure the toilet seat opening. Be sure to read reviews on existing products to see if there are any complaints about the foam being too flat.

You also want to be sure the seat has a wipeable, tear-resistant vinyl cover. You can clean the cover with any type of anti-bacterial cleaner. Be sure that you do clean the seat often in order to prevent bacteria growth.

Height

Most cushioned toilet seats are 2-inches or 4-inches tall. If your sciatica is painful enough, you may find that the taller 4-inch cushion will ease the pain while sitting down more than the 2-inch. The 4-inch cushion will also tend to hold its shape more than the 2-inch cushion. 

Installation

Many of the cushioned toilet seats attach directly to the existing toilet seat. You want to be sure you have a cushioned seat that has enough loops and hooks to ensure the seat does not move while you are sitting down or standing up.

At a minimum, you want to have 2 sets of straps on each side of the toilet seat. As an added bonus, a fifth loop and hook strap at the back of the seat will ensure it doesn’t move.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a cushioned toilet seat to help with your sciatica, consider getting one of the thicker foam cushions. It will add height to the seat so you don’t have to bend so far to sit down. It may also hold its shape better than the thinner cushioned seats. Be sure you look at the reviews above and features to consider before you make your final decision.