What Is Lumbar Support for an Office Chair?
If you spend significant time in an office chair, you understand the importance of lumbar support. With prolonged sitting comes the tendency to slouch, often leading to back strains.
A well-designed office chair with proper lumbar support can help alleviate this issue, making long hours at the desk more comfortable. Below, I discuss why lumber support is non-negotiable when choosing an office chair and how to use it effectively.
Lumbar Support Explained
Lumbar support refers to the assistance provided to the lower back, also known as the lumbar region, which comprises the five vertebrae between the diaphragm and the sacrum. This is important since the lumbar spine has a natural inward curve known as lordosis.
When you sit for long periods without proper support, this curve becomes exaggerated, leading to strain on the spinal discs and surrounding muscles.
A good lumbar support maintains the natural curve of the spine by filling the gap between the spine and the seat. This support prevents slouching and promotes a better-seated posture. It’s a simple addition that prevents unnecessary lower back pain.
Types of Lumbar Support
There are various types of lumbar support. I’ll share the five common types available.
- Adjustable Lumbar Support: This type allows you to adjust the height and depth of the lumbar support to fit your body shape and size. It’s often great for a shared workspace where you use your office chair with colleagues or your partner at home.
- Fixed Lumbar Support: Some office chairs include built-in lumbar support that you cannot adjust. It’s designed to fit the average person, but it might not be comfortable for everyone.
- Dynamic Lumbar Support: This type of lumbar support adjusts automatically based on my posture and movement. It’s a more advanced and usually expensive option but provides excellent support. An example is the Herman Miller Cosm chair.
- Inflatable Lumbar Support: This type allows you to inflate or deflate the lumbar support to adjust the level of firmness. It’s a versatile option that you can easily customise to your comfort level.
- Portable Lumbar Support: This is a separate cushion, pillow, or device I add to any chair to provide lumbar support. It’s a good option if the existing chair doesn’t have sufficient lumbar support or I need to switch between different seating options.
Each lumbar support type has its advantages. You’ll find other options, like adjustable back supports, belts, heated/massaging supports, inflatable pillows, and mattress toppers. Choose the type that best fits your needs and preferences.
Why Use a Lumbar Support?
Lumbar support is crucial in maintaining your back health and comfort. But there are several other compelling reasons why I’ve made lumbar support a non-negotiable part:
Pro #1 — Promotes Proper Alignment
The lumbar support helps keep my spine in its natural alignment. By supporting the lower back’s inward curve, I can maintain a good posture, which is crucial to avoid back issues.
Pro #2 — Reduces Muscle Fatigue
Without proper support, the muscles around my spine have to work harder to maintain the correct posture. Lumbar support removes some of this strain, reducing muscle fatigue and allowing me to sit for longer periods without discomfort.
🔍 Tip: Take regular breaks, i.e., stand up, stretch, and move around for a few minutes to relieve the tension in your muscles and promote blood circulation.
Pro #3 — Prevents Back Pain
As I mentioned earlier, by maintaining proper posture and reducing strain on my spine and surrounding muscles, lumbar support helps prevent the onset of back pain. This is particularly important as prolonged sitting periods without adequate support can lead to lower back soreness.
Pro #4 — Enhances Comfort
Simply put, using lumbar support makes sitting more comfortable. It’s like having a constant, gentle support that prevents you from slumping or hunching over, which I find a relief.
Pro #5 — Improves Concentration and Productivity
When I’m not distracted by discomfort or the need to reposition myself constantly, I concentrate better on my work. Good posture supported by lumbar support helps me stay focused and productive.
🔍 Tip: Practice mindfulness to boost your productivity; Take a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing and be fully present. This helps clear distractions, reduce stress, and improves focus.
Pro #6 — Supports Recovery
If you already suffer from lower back pain or have had back injuries in the past, using lumbar support can be part of the recovery process. It ensures that your lower back is supported in a way that doesn’t exacerbate existing conditions.
Pro #7 — Encourages Deep Breathing
Proper posture aided by lumbar support allows for better chest and diaphragm expansion, facilitating deeper and more efficient breathing. This is not only good for my oxygen intake but also helps with concentration and stress reduction.
How to Use a Lumbar Support?
Here are four tips and strategies I’ve put into practice to ensure I always use lumbar support effectively in my office chair:
- If my office chair has built-in adjustable lumbar support, I modify it to match the contour of my lower back.
- If my chair doesn’t have built-in support, I use a lumbar pillow or roll between the curve of my lower back and the chair's backrest to fill the space.
- I sit all the way back in the chair so that my back is against the lumbar support to prevent slouching.
- I adjust the seat height so that my feet are flat on the floor and my knees are at or slightly lower than my hips to maintain the natural curve of my lumbar spine.
You can follow these steps to effectively use lumbar support to promote better posture and reduce the risk of lower back pain while sitting for extended periods.
FAQs
- Does lumbar support help lower back pain? Lumbar support helps prevent and treat low-back pain. They maintain the natural curve of the spine and reduce strain on the spine and surrounding muscles, which can help prevent the onset of back pain. However, their effectiveness depends on various factors.
- Do lumbar support pillows work? Yes, lumbar support pillows can relieve lower back pain. They distribute pressure over a wider body area, which helps limit back problems from a lack of lumbar support.
- What are the disadvantages of lumbar support? While lumbar support has numerous benefits, it’s not without its potential downsides. One of the main disadvantages is that overreliance can weaken the core muscles. Likewise, a lumbar support that is too thick or low can cause the spine to curve unnaturally, which can stress the muscles and ligaments and lead to pain.
- How do I know if I need lumbar support? You may need lumbar support if you experience difficulty standing up from your chair, neck pain, pain in your lower back, stiff legs, dizziness, tiredness, sciatica, and shooting pains in the arms and fingers.
Summary
Lumbar support is essential for maintaining proper spinal alignment, reducing muscle fatigue, preventing back pain, and enhancing overall comfort. It improves concentration and productivity and supports recovery from lower back issues.
However, choosing the right type and using it appropriately is crucial to avoid further complications. Position the support correctly to fit the lower back curve, adjust the chair and support as needed, sit back fully, and always maintain an ergonomic posture.
If you’re interested in exploring lumbar support further, find my complete article on expertEasy.
