Spinal misalignment, hip pain, and muscle tension are just a few of the issues that a high-quality chair pillow can alleviate. Instead of investing in an expensive massage chair or orthopedic recliner,...Read More about Best Chair Pillows Fellowes® Professional Series™ Back Support 1-2 business day delivery View Full Product Information Promotes Good PostureEasy to Set Up : Provides support for your back for optimal working comfort : Tri-Tachment™ System Eliminates Repeated Readjustments : 1.30 lbs. per EachA lumbar support cushion may help you manage back pain and ease some of your symptoms. Do you have a job that involves lots of sitting? If so you probably have experienced some lower back pain as the day has gone on.There are many different lumbar pillows on the market – plenty of choice for you. First though, I will explain a little about why a lumbar support can help and highlight some things to think about before you buy one. Many of us have lifestyles and jobs that require us to spend long, concentrated periods of time sitting.
Office chairs are very rarely supportive of the lower back and many of us fail to take regular, frequent breaks. As a result the lower back is subjected to stresses and strains that eventually cause discomfort. The story is hear most often is this: The symptoms may have first started years ago as just a mild irritation but the longer the problem goes on the more uncomfortable it gets. Sometimes you can't even get comfortable in the evenings either. The reason this happens is to with the stress and strains we are putting through our lumbar spines in these prolonged positions. If you do not use a lumbar support cushion or if the chair you use has no decent low back support then you will sit in a more flexed position. Your spine is a nice strong solid structure made up of vertebrae separated from one another by spinal discs and supported by large muscles and ligaments. When we are on the move this system is wonderfully strong and supportive. The trouble begins when we start applying prolonged low loads to the system.
By sitting in a flexed position for hours you cause the ligaments at the back of the spine to be put on a gentle stretch. They resist this movement for a while but after time they begin to lengthen, the technical term for this is creep, which is a great way to describe it as the pain does creep up on you. This creep continues causing stresses to the lower back tissues, the muscles fatigue and you start to get pain. If you move and relieve the tension the ligaments recover a little and that makes it easier to continue. However, in the laboratory, studies have found that it takes about 7 hours for the creep to disappear and the tissues to regain their normal properties. The answer is to use a lumbar support cushion which sits in the small of your back. This physically prevents you from sitting in a slumped position and stops the prolonged flexion stresses. This helps reduce ligament creep and can significantly relieve low back pain from sitting . There are a variety of different lumbar support products on the market.
The most common are moulded pillows or cushions which sit in the small of your back – in the curve called the lordosis. The other types are rolls or D shaped supports that do the same thing. This is a type of * lumbar support cushion that sits in the chair and creates a good low back support to prevent sagging. Advantages are they are robust, disadvantages are they are less spongy than rolls and they may not fit all seats, especially seats that have moulded sides such as sports car seats. Good for office chairs and nice and sturdy. The * Mckenzie Lumbar Roll is the lumbar support of choice for most physiotherapists. I own one and have had the same one for nearly 20 years (its very shabby after all that time but I love it). They come in a variety of degrees of firmness and width. Experiment to try and get the right size. Usually the medium size, medium density is suitable, the most common mistake is buying one that is too fat to be comfortable. More is not always better - it depends on your shape and how deep the curve is in your lower back.
*The McKenzie Super Roll is like the roll above but slightly more suitable if you have a chair with some built in support already. The roll is flat at the back and curved at the front. Do you need an inflatable lumbar support? If you travel a lot or find it uncomfortable sitting when you are out this may be the answer. See the choice of nice light inflatable lumbar supports and rolls on offer. Advertisement - Article Continues Below When I discuss this problem with my patients I explain that this type of postural back pain is caused by us exposing our lower back to stresses and strains that after a while it cant cope with. I usually approach the problem by first looking to remove some of the stresses by using a lumbar support but I also want them to think about ways they can make their spine better able to cope with the stresses put upon it. 1. Hedman, T.P. & Fernie, G.R. Mechanical response of the lumbar spine to seated postural loads. Spine 22, 734-743 (1997).
2. Solomonow, M., Zhou, B., Baratta, R.V. & Burger, E. Biomechanics and electromyography of a cumulative lumbar disorder: response to static flexion. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 18, 890-898 (2003). Lower Back Pain Toolkit Home Page Ariel High-Back Executive Chair Photios Club Desk Chair Arlingham Mid-Back Desk Chair Greer Mid-Back Mesh Desk Chair Gail Mesh Desk Chair Bonnie Mesh Desk Chair Ergonomic Mid-Back Mesh Desk Chair Margaret Caressoft Plus Executive Chair Strada Series High-Back Leather Executive Chair Pulse Mesh Desk Chair Back in Motion Health and Wellness Executive ChairFree accessory with UPLIFT desk purchase > Ergonomic ChairsThere are so many factors to consider when choosing an ergonomic chair: the right chair should fit your body and accommodate your work style, support you in the areas you need it most and encourage a healthy sitting posture. We offer ergonomic office chairs for all body types and physical needs.
The chairs we sell have been hand-picked by our in-house Certified Professional Ergonomist for their quality and comfort. For most office professionals who spend upwards of eight hours per day at a desk, an ergonomic chair is the most important work tool. We firmly believe that a comfortable worker is happier and more productive. Give us a call at 1-800-531-3746 or email us. We can help you pick the perfect chair for you. Expert Information About Ergonomic Chairs Need help deciding which chair is right for you? Fill out our Ergonomic Chair selector and we'll provide expert recommendations, typically within one business day. Most Popular Ergonomic ChairsQuick Ship ChairsCheap Office ChairsSit Stand SeatingUPLIFT Desk Chairs and StoolsHumanscale ChairsSteelcase Office ChairsRaynor Ergohuman ChairsVarierKneeling ChairsPetite Office ChairsErgonomic Drafting Chairs and StoolsMesh ChairsHigh Back ChairsChairs with HeadrestsMid Back ChairsTask ChairsBig and Tall Office ChairsLeather ChairsExecutive ChairsIntensive Use ChairsHealthcare Chairs and StoolsGuest ChairsLounge Chairs and TablesAll ChairsChairs by Brand
Buying an ergonomic chair can be an investment and not every chair is designed to fit every person. Our product specialists are trained to match you with the perfect chair for your needs. Feel free to browse our considerable selection, fill out our chair selector form or give us a call at 1-800-531-3746. Also, be sure to check out our blog for more reviews and perspectives: Ergonomic Chair Review: The Humanscale Liberty Chair Ergonomic Chair Review: The Humanscale Diffrient World Chair Ergonomic Chair Review: The Steelcase Leap Ergonomic Chair Review: The Steelcase Amia Ergonomic Chair Review: The Steelcase Think Custom Ergonomics: How to Select a Bodybilt Chair Review: The Raynor Ergo Elite vs. The Original Ergohuman: Is Change Good? Check Your Head: Headrests on Office Chairs A Field Guide to Recognizing Your Seats: Seat Cushion Materials The ErgoCentric airCentric Chair: A Mesh Chair Alternative with Lumbar Support The Varier Move Stool: A Dynamic Solution for a Standing Desk