Lumbar support is crucial in maintaining a neutral spine position while working and taking care of your body. Neglecting back support while working or gaming can lead to severe health problems, from spine curvature to insomnia to poor digestion.
To reduce, eliminate, or avoid problems associated with lumbar problems educate yourself on lumbar support and how to achieve the perfect chair setup for your lower back.
What Is Lumbar Support? (And Why Is It Important)
Lumbar support is a pillow or chair that focuses on supporting the lower vertebrae in your spine. The lumbar region is your lower back that includes five vertebrae between the diaphragm and sacrum. These five vertebrae form the tail end of an ‘S’ when properly aligned.
If you have poor posture or an unsupportive chair, these five vertebrae will curve in the opposite direction as they should. When this happens, it can lead to permanent spine curvature, lower back pain, and a myriad of other health problems.
Lumbar support is either a pillow or curve in the back of an office chair designed to keep these vertebrae curved in the right direction. Lumbar support is vital for office workers and gamers to maintain spinal health and remain comfortable working at their desks and computers.
Choosing the Right Office Chair
There are many aspects to consider when shopping for a new office chair such as budget, style, mobility, and more. Here, we will focus on what to look for in an office chair concerning lumbar support.
Ergonomics
The most important thing to look for when shopping for an office chair with lumbar support in mind is its ergonomic properties. The more ergonomic properties mentioned, the more likely the chair will relieve back pain and improve spinal health.
Look for office chairs that prioritize lumbar support and back support technology. You will hear terms like ‘Live Back Technology’ or ‘Backfit Technology’ or ‘Lumbar Flex’, these are a good sign you’re heading in the right direction. Avoid chairs that don’t mention any features like this, as they likely won’t have the specific design geared toward lumbar support.
Padding
If a chair boasts excellent lumbar support but is a thin mesh or polyester fabric, you may want to look for something else. The more padding, the gentler the chair will be on your body. If your hips or back have to touch har plastic or metal, this could worsen back pain and lead to new discomforts.
You shouldn’t use a loveseat for your desk, but don’t be afraid to buy an office chair that is thick and cushy because it will be easier to sit in every day.
Comfort
If you sit in the most ergonomic chair ever designed and aren’t comfortable, keep looking. Not everybody is shaped the same way, and people will benefit from different levels of support. So even if the salesman is telling you that it doesn’t get better than this chair, go with your gut and find something you’ll look forward to sitting in every day.
Choosing the Right Lumbar Pillow
The variety of lumbar pillows is plentiful. They have lumbar pillows that offer back and seat support or side support for people that shift in their seats too much. Not every lumbar support pillow will be ideal for all workers and gamers, but there is one out there for everyone.
Size
Some people don’t want to feel crowded by the pillow or like they’re falling out of the chair. The size of lumbar pillows has to do with the height of the user, and the manufacturer will lust recommended heights for their pillows.
If you have too large a pillow, it won’t offer the distinct support to create the ‘S’ shape. It could wind up curving your spine too far in the right direction, distorting the ‘S’. A lumbar pillow that is too small for you will not offer the necessary support your lower spine needs.
Shape
The shape of the lumbar pillow is super important and based on your preferences. If you want a lumbar pillow that supports your bottom and sides, you can get one. Other options include saddle-shaped, circular, super curved, and full-back, to name a few.
All good lumbar support pillows will have some sort of contoured shape for your spine to rest in, but some offer subtle support, and others will make a drastic difference in your posture.
Quality
Lumbar pillows are not always the cheapest, but we urge you to buy a high-quality one and consider it an investment in your health and comfort. If you opt for a cheaply-made pillow, it will not last you a long time and will likely not offer the ideal level of support.
Other Ergonomic Properties to Prioritize
When looking for a new office chair or ergonomic office accessories, you should keep an eye and ear out for these features. Having as many of these as you can or all of them will contribute to your spinal health beyond just your lumbar.
- Supportive Head Rest
- Padded Seat Bottom
- Adjustable Armrests
Conclusion
We urge you not to neglect your lower back. Years down the road, you could suffer the consequences that could have been avoided by just buying a cushy pillow!
Lumbar support is not talked about enough among office workers, but you should always keep it in mind when choosing a chair and sitting down at your desk.
FAQs
Is it better to have a lumbar chair or pillow?
Neither one is better than the other for lumbar support. However, an office chair with lumbar support likely has more ergonomic properties that will benefit your body. If you need extra lumbar support, a pillow can offer that.
Can I use a lumbar pillow on any chair?
As long as the strap of the lumbar pillow will fit around the back of the chair, the right pillow can improve any chair. However, most lumbar pillow designs are for office chairs, so they may fit slightly awkward on a regular fixed chair.
