How to Stay Comfortable in a Wheelchair

Published: November 24, 2014

You may currently find it somewhat difficult to stay comfortable in a wheelchair. If you do, don’t worry — we are here to help you! We believe that it’s important to feel comfortable. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of wheelchair relaxation tips. Take a look and find a method that works best for you and your specific needs.

Cushioned Arm Rests

Don’t allow your arms to rest on cold and uncomfortable plastic. If your chair doesn’t already have cushioned arm rests, then add some. You can purchase or even make cushions that are appropriately sized and then attach them to the arm rests of your wheelchair. If you can make yourself feel more comfortable and relaxed, do it!

Adjust Your Footrests

You probably already know that the footrest of your wheelchair can have a large impact on whether or not you feel comfortable. If at all possible, you want to try and make sure your knees are slightly higher than your hips. Most wheelchairs have adjustable footrests. If not, you can most likely take your chair to a shop to have the footrests changed.

Avoid Bulky Clothing

When sitting in a wheelchair all day, the last thing you want to do is wear big, bulky clothing. When wearing oversized clothing articles, your level of comfort will be compromised, as well as your balance. If you’re cold, try finding warm clothing made with thin materials or using a blanket.

Reclining the Backrest

Have you ever tried reclining the backrest of your chair? To get more comfortable, try reclining the backrest of your wheelchair a few degrees. If you sit too straight in your wheelchair, you may end up leaning forward and have to fight to keep your balance all day. If you take the backrest of the chair back a few degrees, you’re liable to notice a huge difference in comfort.

It’s All about Comfort

It’s important to make sure that you’re comfortable. Only you will be able to know whether or not you are in fact truly comfortable. Try utilizing our tips that have been detailed above — you may just find yourself becoming more relaxed.