There seems to be a lingering perception that old folks prefer to relax comfortably in wood rocking chairs, a perception that is perhaps reinforced in films and television shows that depict the characters of older people enjoying their wood rocking chairs. All four of my grandparents and both of my parents prefer the comfort of overstuffed reclining chairs during the final decades of their lives. My siblings and I (we're in our 60's and 70's) also enjoy the comfort of reclining chairs.
I have a wooden rocking chair and I have a recliner that doubles as a rocking chair. I actually sleep in the recliner when my back gives me problems, because its easier getting up in the morning.
I have a wing chair that rocks. I would think a wooden one would be uncomfortable. I don't know if what you say is actually true. It sounds like something from an old novel or movie, like Boo Radley's chair rocking on the rickety old porch, or something. Or Norman Bates' mother in the basement. I don't really rock in my chair all that often, only if one of the animals is sitting in my lap. They seem to like the motion of rocking.
I was told, by a chiropractor, that a rocking chair would be good for my stiff back. I bought a wooden one with spindles at the back. It was very uncomfortable and bruised my back. Maybe if the spindles had been plain rather than having 'turned' designs in them it would have been more comfortable. These days I love my recliner. My rocking chair sold for a very good price in my favourite charity shop though, so it wasn't wasted.
When I was in my 20s, I really liked wood rocking chairs, just seemed to make me relax (sort of like those colicky kids who finally fall asleep if you drive them around in the car). But since then, I prefer my leather office chair (no arms) that swivels and rolls around, not that there's much of anywhere to roll to inside the apartment. I actually get a little dizzy rocking in a rocking chair now, something about my sinuses is way off and the rocking seems to imbalance things in my head. And I notice it's the younger adults who seek out the rocking chair in my sister's house, but maybe that's because they pile all their lap blankets/throws on that chair. Do you think that the slight muscle contraction needed to keep the chair rocking actually helps people's leg circulation and such?
I have a rocking chair which I just love - and it is wooden; I wasn't aware that there was any other kind. Mine happens to give me great back support and I like to rock. I also like the style of my particular chair - it's unique. I had back surgery in 1975 and usually always have a backache. I went to a pain clinic way back when and the doctor recommended bucket seats in the car and rocking chairs - and it was excellent advice. Notice that JFK used a rocker for his bad back as well.
