Quick answer: A deep, soft sofa feels comfortable at first, but your hips sink below your knees, your lower back rounds, and more of your weight ends up on the tailbone. That is "fake comfort". A firm donut cushion lifts you and keeps pressure off the tailbone, and a lumbar support keeps the curve in your lower back. In this story, a visitor in her 50s compared both and chose our 2-in-1 Lumbar & Seat Cushion Set.
A lady in her 50s walked into our Waterloo Street showroom looking exhausted. She had recently come out of hospital. Even after seeing doctors and doing tests, she still had a nagging sitting pain that wouldn't go away.
"The doctors said everything is clear, but I'm still in so much pain when I sit," she told me. "I work from home at least two hours a day, and I spend a lot of time on my living room sofa. I'm starting to think my sofa is the problem."
Her instinct was spot on.
When the doctor has ruled out anything serious, ongoing sitting discomfort often comes from something we do every day without noticing: sinking into a deep, soft seat.
Why a sofa gives "fake comfort"
We think of our sofa as the best place to relax. But for your spine and pelvis, a soft, deep sofa or recliner creates what I call "fake comfort". Here is what happens when you sink in:
1. Your pelvis rolls back and your lower back rounds
A healthy lower back has a gentle inward curve. On a firm chair, the two bones you sit on act like a stable base. On a soft sofa, your hips sink while your knees stay high. Your pelvis rolls backwards, the curve in your lower back flattens, and the muscles and ligaments there stay stretched for hours.
2. More pressure on the tailbone
On a firm seat, your weight is carried by the pelvic bones and the buttock muscles. On a soft sofa, you sink deep and the foam pushes up into the tailbone area. Hour after hour, that constant pressure adds up.
3. Your neck pays too
Because the sofa is deep, you lean back. But to see your laptop, TV or phone, you bend your neck forward. This "text neck" posture adds strain all the way down to the lower back.
Testing in the showroom: sofa vs firm support
To help her feel the difference, we tested our cushions on two seats: the recliner sofa in our showroom, and a plain wooden chair.
First, she sat on our 45cm Grey Donut Cushion on the recliner. Straight away she felt relief around her tailbone. The firm foam held her up, so she wasn't sinking into the soft seat. But because the recliner back was deep, her lower back was still leaning back with nothing behind it.
Testing the 45cm Grey Donut Cushion on our recliner, the way you would use it on a sofa.
Next, we moved to a wooden chair with our 2-in-1 Lumbar & Seat Cushion Set. When she leaned back against the lumbar support and sat on the donut seat, her body lined up naturally:
- Her pelvis stayed level, so her lower back didn't collapse backwards.
- The donut cut-out took the direct pressure off her tailbone.
- The raised back edge held her in place, and the curved front stopped her sliding forward.
On the 2-in-1 set, her pelvis stays level and her back is supported.
She also compared the Blue 40cm cushion, but the 2-in-1 set gave her pelvis the wrap-around support she was looking for. "This feels completely different," she said. "My feet feel grounded, and my hips feel fully supported."
The wise choice: change the habit first
She took home the 2-in-1 set. The two pieces come apart, so she can use both on her chair for computer work, or take just the seat cushion to the living room when she rests.
Before she left, I shared two gentle reminders:
- Spend less time working on the sofa. It looks inviting, but hours of laptop work on a soft seat add up to daily strain on your back.
- Support first, then build the habit. When your back or tailbone is already irritated, a quick fix isn't enough. Sitting with proper support every day is the real starting point.
At JC Health, I believe you shouldn't have to guess with your back by buying online. Testing in person lets your own body feel what real support is like.
We wish her a smooth, comfortable recovery as she builds new sitting habits at home.
Do you work or rest on a sofa? A quick self-check
- Are your hips lower than your knees when you sit?
- Do you feel stiff or sore when you stand up after 30 minutes or more?
- Do you bend your neck forward to see your laptop or phone?
If you answered yes to two or more, try a firmer seat with back support for work, and a donut cushion for the sofa.
Frequently asked questions
Why does sitting on a soft sofa hurt my back and tailbone?
On a deep, soft sofa your hips sink lower than your knees, your pelvis rolls back, and your lower back rounds. More of your weight then presses on the tailbone. It feels comfortable at first, but the strain builds up over hours.
Can I use a donut cushion on a sofa or armchair?
Yes. Many of our customers use the 45cm Grey Donut Cushion on the sofa or armchair they watch TV in. It is firmer than sofa foam, lifts you slightly, and keeps pressure off the tailbone.
Is it bad to work on a laptop on the sofa?
An hour now and then is fine, but working for long hours on a soft sofa means a rounded lower back and a bent neck. For daily work, a firm chair with lower-back support is better.
Should I choose a donut cushion or the lumbar and seat set?
If you mainly need the tailbone protected on a sofa or armchair, the donut cushion is a good start. If you also sit upright to work, the 2-in-1 set supports your lower back too. The pieces come apart, so you can use them on different seats.
Can I test the cushions on a sofa before buying?
Yes. We have a recliner and wooden chairs at our showroom, 261 Waterloo Street, #02-02, so you can test the cushions the way you will really use them. Saturday open house 11am to 5pm; weekdays by appointment, 9am to 6pm (WhatsApp 8812 2622).
Explore the cushions in this story
JC Health 2-in-1 Lumbar Support & Donut Seat Cushion Set (S$88)
Our signature set: a donut seat cushion and a contoured lumbar support that zip together or come apart. High-density foam, washable zip-off covers, vacuum-packed (about 2 hours to expand).
View the 2-in-1 Lumbar & Seat Cushion Set →
JC Health Donut Seat Cushion, Grey 45cm (S$55)
A larger, thicker donut cushion with wider side walls and a central relief channel. Suits armchairs, car seats and bigger frames.
View the Grey 45cm Donut Seat Cushion →
Mix & Match Posture Bundle: 2-in-1 Set + 45cm Donut Cushion (S$128)
The 2-in-1 set for your work chair, plus a 45cm donut cushion for the sofa or armchair.
View the Mix & Match Bundle →
Donut Memory Foam Seat Cushion, Blue 40cm (S$49)
A slimmer cushion with a curved front that stops you sliding forward. Easy to carry to the office, the car or on a flight.
View the Blue 40cm Seat Cushion →
Related donut cushion stories and guides
- His Favourite Armchair Was Too Soft: A Walk-In Story From Our Showroom
- Understanding Tailbone Pain: Causes, Solutions and Choosing the Right Cushion
- Peak Performance at the Desk: Why Young Professionals Are Protecting Their Backs
- Thick or Thin Donut Cushion? How to Choose the Right Size, Hole and Height
- Read all donut cushion articles →
Watch the seat cushion video playlist
See our cushions tested on a recliner and on wooden chairs by real customers in our showroom.
Open the JC Health seat cushion playlist on YouTube →
Want to try before you buy?
Come and sit on our cushions, on real chairs, at our showroom:
261 Waterloo Street, #02-02, Waterloo Centre, Singapore 180261 (near Bugis)
About 300 m from Bras Basah MRT (CC2) and Bencoolen MRT (DT21), on the same street as Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.
Elderly, using a cane, walker, wheelchair or mobility scooter? Please take the lift, not the stairs
Please don't walk up the staircase. Lift A (our cargo lift) is also for passengers. Take it to level 2, then turn right. Walk past a few shops, and you will find us right next to The Better Spine. Here is the way, step by step:
Step 1: Take Lift A to level 2. No stairs needed.
Step 2: At level 2, turn right and walk past a few shops.
Step 3: JC Health is at #02-02, right next to The Better Spine.
Saturday open house: 11am to 5pm, just walk in. Weekdays by appointment, 9am to 6pm: please WhatsApp us to book a time.
💬 WhatsApp 8812 2622 | ☎️ 6485 9179 | Free next-day delivery across Singapore
This is one customer's experience in our showroom. It is not medical advice. If you have ongoing pain, or are recovering from a fall or surgery, please follow your doctor's or physiotherapist's advice.