Lumbar Pillow
According to the American Heart Association, an average U.S. adult spends about 6 to 8 hours a day being sedentary. While sitting down may not sound too dangerous, habitual inactivity does pose certain threats to the central nervous system. First, your spinal discs and lower back muscles experience a notable amount of pressure while in the sitting position. Naturally, sitting in the same position for several hours can be tiresome, so people tend to slouch forward. But this only increases the pressure on your lower back. As a result, many people begin to experience low back pain by the time they are 30. This is the pain that you experience just below the rib cage, the lumbar region. People often describe lower back pain as a dull ache or mild shooting. Some try to relieve the symptoms with the help of a heating pad or warm bath, but that only provides temporary relief. Sometimes, the pain goes away by itself but that isn’t always the case. Fortunately, using lumbar support has been known to have a positive effect on spinal posture and overall low back comfort.
What is a Lumbar Support Pillow?
While a sedentary lifestyle is almost inevitable, it is none the less important to be mindful of our musculoskeletal system. Lumbar support is key to maintaining a good posture. The lumbar support pillow is specifically designed to support your spine, thus relieving it of significant pressure and minimizing slouching while sitting. The pillow is designed to be used anywhere that you might need it. They are often small and compact so that you can take it with you to the office, on a road trip, or over to a friends house if needed.
How to use a Lumbar Support Pillow?
To get the most benefit from a Lumbar Support Pillow, place it against the backrest of the chair. This will allow your back to keep its natural curve. Once you feel like the pillow has been placed in the optimal position, use the adjustable straps sewn to the back of it to secure it in a fixed position. The nice thing about lumbar pillows is that you can take it with you and use in the car, at the office, or at the dinner table at home. If you are going to sit for a long period of you time to can adjust it easily to help modify the pain.
Who Would Benefit from a Lumbar Support Pillow?
The good news is that low back pain can be relieved or at least modified to be tolerable. Even with a back diagnosis, you can reduce the pressure on your spine with the help of lumbar support. This includes those with:
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Lumbar mucle strains
- Sciatica
- Anyone that has had a prior back surgery
- Spondylosis
- Back Fractures
- Disc herniations
The Best Lumbar Support Pillows
The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll
The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll is a cylinder-shaped cushion designed for back pain relief. It is made of high-quality foam that absorbs moisture. This was invented by one of the best minds in treating low back pain.
Pros: The Lumbar Roll’s adjustable strap, makes it is suitable for both car seats and office chairs. Its 100% polyester cover can easily be removed for proper cleaning.
Cons: The Lumbar Roll may be prone to minor sliding, depending on the material of the chair it is attached to.
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Samsonite Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow
The Samsonite Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow is a 13.5 by 14 inch pillow that covers most of the lumbar region. The memory foam gently molds to your shape on both sides of the spine.
Pros: The pillow is well-padded, which prevents stiffness of the lower back. The ergonomic design improves circulation, thus relieving back pain. You can easily adjust the strap with one click.
Cons: The pillow may flatten after durational use.
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Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Pillow
The Everlasting Comfort pillow is made of 100% memory foam, allowing comfortable body alignment and perfect molding to your shape. The size of the pillow, roughly 12 by 13 inches, leaves an optimal amount of space between the lower back and chair’s backrest. To ensure that the pillow stays in place, two adjustable, elastic straps are attached to the back of it.
Pros: Unlike other Lumbar pillows, the Everlasting Lumbar Pillow has dual straps that keep it fixed in place.
Cons: The size of the pillow isn’t always suitable for traveling.
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Lumbar Stuffers Pillows
The Lumbar Stuffers Pillows provide both support for your back and serve as couch decorations. Simply, choose a cover that will best fit into your interior.
Pros: The pillow provides firm support in the lumbar region and remains resilient even after many uses. The microfiber pillow is 100% Hypo allergenic.
Cons: The relatively small size of the pillow is too small for a sleeping pillow.
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RS1 Back Support Pillow
The RS1 Back Support Pillow is a firm, yet soft, pillow that will not flatten with time. The 4-inch thick padding at the bottom of the pillow cradles both sides of the lower back.
Pros: The Pillow’s 16.5 inch width envelopes the lumbar area and controls the temperature. This pillow can even be used during pregnancy or for the wheelchair. The cotton cover is removable and machine washable.
Cons: The adjustable strap isn’t very long.
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Conclusion:
No matter what our activity level is, low back pain often becomes a reality. The dull ache can grow into mild shooting, causing limitations to our daily life. This discomfort, however, can be treated. By using lumbar support, you will reduce the pressure on your spinal discs and gradually improve your posture. Simply place the pillow against the lumbar region when you sit.
Works Referenced:
American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/01/04/how-to-sneak-in-healthy-physical-activity-during-a-sedentary-work-day
Lumbar support pillow study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766244/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for educational purposes only. This is not a substitute for a medical appointment. Please refer to your physician before starting any exercise program.