Lumbar Support Cushions - Back Support Pillows for Office Chairs

Sitting at a desk all day long can seriously affect posture and lead to chronic back pain. If you don't have an ergonomic chair available, you can easily transform a regular office chair into one by strapping a back cushion onto it. You can opt for a lumbar support pillow made of precision-cut foam, a polyester-filled neck support pillow that can double as lumbar support, or a variety of inflatable back support cushions that you can easily adjust and deflate for portability, such as the Medic Air Back Pillow.

The reason lumbar support pillows are the most popular back cushions for chairs is due largely to the fact that lower back pain is more prevalent than middle or upper back pain. However, lumbar support does more than alleviate lower back pain — it also helps the spine maintain its natural S-shape while sitting, prevents slouching, and promotes good posture.

A good lumbar support pillow ideally has two straps to keep it in place, a lumbar depth of 2-4 inches, and a breathable cover that is easy to wash. Women should opt for more pronounced back support cushions as their lower back curvature is generally larger, while people with a higher BMI benefit more from a cushion that aims higher up in the back. Take into account that there is such a thing as too much lumbar support, as the spine can curve excessively and cause fatigue and more back pain, so get a back cushion that properly fills the gap between the chair and the spine when sitting upright, without pushing the body forward. You can get a lumbar support pillow for your car seat, another one for your office chair, and yet another one for your home office, or you can opt for a portable back cushion that you can use in all these places as well as when traveling by bus, train, or plane.

The most popular back cushion on the market is the Original Back-Huggar by Bodyline. It is a single piece of molded polyurethane foam that fits perfectly on straight-back chairs and car bench seats. Designed by a chiropractor to support the back both laterally and vertically, it helps relieve lower-back disk pressure, reducing the associated pain and fatigue. Another sought-after feature of back cushions for chairs is vacuum-formed air pockets that help stimulate blood circulation and invigorate muscles by mimicking a pressure point massage when leaning back. To get overall back support and comfort when seated for long periods of time, pair any of these lumbar pillows with a supportive orthopedic seat cushion like RelaxoBak and neck support that reinforces the natural curve of the cervical spine. Brands and other recommendations aside, the best back support cushions are the ones that best fit your spine curvature and your specific needs.

Sleeping upright while traveling can be challenging without the proper neck pillow. Choose a pillow that wraps comfortably around your neck and make sure the fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable. You can opt for travel pillows that adjust to your size with the help of buttons, like those from PILLOW of HEALTH®, or neck pillows made of viscoelastic memory foam that mold to the unique shape of your neck and head, like Memory Travel Core™.

While chiropractic neck pillows can help you sleep better, when it comes to avoiding neck pain while seated, smaller neck support can be enough. Pair it with some form of lumbar support and a seat cushion and you are all set. Note that some pillows, such as NeckBone® from Original Bones™, can be extremely versatile and act as neck support and lumbar support and you can even place them between your knees when lying down on your side. Besides adjusting your desk chair with all these aids for proper posture, it is equally important to incorporate some exercise into your workday. You can do chair yoga stretches every now and then, hit the gym after work, or you could simply stand up and walk around the office every hour.