The Best Lumbar Support Pillows
Over the course of a long working day in the office, lower back pain is more a rule than the exception for a majority of desk workers. Lumbar support pillows work with the natural curve of your back to provide the added padding you need to reduce strain and inflammation. While these nifty accessories made their most recognizable debut strapped to the bottom of office chairs, they can also provide relief when you're lying flat on your back. If you want to improve your posture without wrecking your bank account in one purchase, check out our top lumbar support pillows. Regardless of your physique or size, these powerful pads ease your spine's discomfort when your job adds undue stress to your life.
Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow
Pad Your Posterior
Back pain is a difficult burden to bear day in and day out, especially when you’re in the same position for hours. Everlasting Comfort’s lumbar support pillow is a therapeutic device aimed at promoting and reinforcing your spine’s natural curve. The pillow works by strapping to the back of an office chair and pushing the curve of your back forward to prevent lumbar flattening. This model impressed us particularly with its adaptive anchoring system and top-quality materials. The last thing you want to worry about at your 9-to-5 is a sweaty and sore back as deadlines pile on. This pillow’s advanced memory foam cradles your spine while its mesh layering keeps you well ventilated, delivering all-day comfort no matter your seat of preference.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Available in five colorings
- Machine-washable mesh cover
Cons:
- The pillow takes time to warm up and soften when using
OPTP Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll
Simple Sitting Support
For fans of the rolled-up towel method of back pain relief, OPTP’s McKenzie Roll will come as a welcome and effective tool for managing discomfort. While naysayers may shout that the small size is a disadvantage, we firmly believe that the McKenzie Roll’s targeted support makes its case for a different way of looking at back pain relief. A large number of lumbar pillows have padding that runs the length of the upper and lower back, which, over time, can flatten and thus be rendered useless. OPTP recognized this flaw and instead decided on a more dense construction less than five inches in diameter that rests snugly in the small of your back.
Pros:
- The adjustable strap can be wrapped around you if it’s not compatible with your chair
- Made in the USA
- Available in two types of firmness
Cons:
- The strap’s stitching will tear if overtightened
Niceeday 3D Lumbar Support Pillow
Comfort Around Every Corner
If you’re concerned that your desk or driving gig is compressing your spine, this pillow from Niceeday is here to navigate with you through the long hours and deep muscle aches. This incredible device is substantially larger than its competitors but is shaped appropriately to curve and center your spine with angled padding from three directions. While the support it provides to your lower back is impressive, equally outstanding is the support further up the back. This pad extends up to the lower edge of the shoulder blades, providing comfort but, more importantly, reducing fatigue on the upper body when you don’t have the chance to stretch much during the day.
Pros:
- It can be used lying down or sitting upright
- Spectacular customer support
- Discreet side pocket for cellphone storage
Cons:
- It may be too thick to fit on smaller office chairs
Ziraki Lumbar Pillow
Complete Chair Control
If you’ve got multiple workstations or are a frequent flyer with frequent back pain, you know the importance of having a support pillow. Ziraki’s lumbar pillow is ideal for the on-the-go professional who’s looking for an easy-to-transport pad or an affordable purchase for multiple chairs. This lumbar pillow has a convenient handhold on the sides so that you’re not swinging your support by the straps. Though made of memory foam, the actual pillow is incredibly dense and not for those looking for added comfort. Posture correction at all costs is the name of the game, and Ziraki is the undisputed champion.
Pros:
- Fantastic value for the price
- Travel bag included with purchase
- Extender strap included for larger chairs
Cons:
- Sits awkwardly in heavily-curved office chairs
Gentle Living Cooling Lumbar Support Pillow
Sleepy Spine Serenity
Combating the effects of slouching doesn’t stop when you punch out of work for the day. Gentle Living’s cooling pillow may not sit upright, but if you’re reading, binge-watching, or sleeping, few pillows offer this level of lower back support in such a surprisingly small package. Starting with the cover, this one utilizes bamboo to offer unmatched perspiration resistance with an incredibly soft feel that won’t irritate sensitive skin. The lumbar support is made of two pieces and can be customized to reduce height, meaning no matter which way you angle yourself, this pillow has you covered. By aligning your hips, propping up your stomach, or aligning your back, this pillow can reliably enhance the quality of your sleep.
Pros:
- The foam body is infused with cooling gel
- Hypoallergenic cover
- Long enough for all body types
Cons:
- No anchoring to stay in place for restless sleepers
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the science behind lumbar support pillows?
Lumbar support pillows are meant to place your spine in its natural alignment, which can be interrupted due to injury or poor posture over extended periods. When we slouch, the vertebrae start to bend in a direction opposite the lower back’s curve, ultimately resulting in a straighter spine. This is known as lumbar flattening. When this occurs, our vertebrae start to compress and can result in pinched nerves, chronic pain, and bone deterioration in the worst-case scenario.
How firm should my lumbar pillow be?
Lumbar pillows are by no means meant to be comfortable or soft. While lumbar pillows can have padding on the exterior, this memory foam’s objective is to reinforce the spine. That said, the lumbar pillow you ultimately choose should be firm but not too firm. Harder varieties can result in bruising or cause just as many problems as they solve. Aim for a pillow that delivers consistent pressure to your lower back without losing its shape.
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