Back pain is a common problem for many people who sit for long periods every day. The lumbar spine, in particular, often suffers from poor posture and insufficient support. A frequently recommended solution is a lumbar support brace – but when is it truly beneficial, and how can it support spinal health?
In this article, we explain exactly what a lumbar support is, in which situations it can be used effectively, and why it alone is not always the optimal solution.
What is a lumbar support?
A lumbar support – also known as a lumbar support or lumbar support – is a part of the backrest of office chairs that takes into account the forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region – thus mimicking the human spine.
It should be optimally adjustable to the user's back and body size in order to provide ideal support for the muscles.
What does lordosis mean?
Lordosis refers to the natural forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar and cervical regions. The backward curvature of the spine at the level of the thoracic region is called kyphosis.
Our spine is strengthened by the muscles in our abdomen and lower back. Prolonged sitting fatigues these muscles and reduces the natural support for the spine.
This also changes its natural curvature. Depending on the sitting posture, the natural curvature of the lumbar spine (lordosis) can either be increased or completely eliminated, which can lead to a straight spine or even a rounded back.
When is lumbar support useful?
Prolonged, static, one-sided sitting, for example in an office or in a car, puts strain on the lumbar spine and leads to poor posture , particularly in the lower back, often resulting in rounded shoulders and consequently severe pain. In some cases, the pain can also radiate from the lower back down the leg.
In this case, the pain is described as radiating along the sciatic nerve from the lumbar spine into the leg ( lumbosacral radiculopathy ).
A lumbar support is designed to support and relieve the lumbar spine during prolonged sitting without movement, thus preventing poor posture and pain.
Since every back is different, the lumbar support should be individually adjustable, both in height and curvature. When adjusting the lumbar support, it is recommended to pay attention to your subjective comfort.
Depending on its shape and subjective perception, the support can be located in the inward curve of the lower spine or somewhat lower, at the bony iliac crest. In any case, it must provide comfortable, easily perceptible, and upright support.
Adjusting the lumbar support correctly
If you experience stiffness or pain, especially in your lower back, after sitting for an extended period, this could indicate that your lumbar support is not adjusted correctly. So, how do you adjust your lumbar support correctly?
The following instructions will show you the steps to follow when adjusting the lumbar support so that it can provide optimal support for your back:
- Sit on your office chair and use the entire seat surface so that your back is directly against the backrest .
- Adjust the lumbar support to fit your back individually: Position it so that it is located in the middle, extending to the lower part of your lumbar spine . This allows the lumbar support to best support your natural spinal curvature.
- The lumbar support should provide firm yet comfortable support for your back. You shouldn't feel any unpleasant pressure while sitting.
- Now, proper posture is crucial: Keep your back straight so that the natural S-shape of your spine is maintained. You can find a detailed guide on how to sit ergonomically here .
Finding the right lumbar support setting can sometimes take some trial and error. So feel free to experiment with the different settings at first until you find the most comfortable one.
It also helps to change your sitting position throughout the day – the extra movement is healthy!
By the way: In general, make sure to get up and move around regularly. Even the best lumbar support cannot replace regular movement and stretching.
Is it possible to do without lumbar support when sitting?
If one can behave according to one's natural movement impulses while sitting, A lumbar support can definitely be dispensed with.
This means being able to move spontaneously, intuitively, and self-organized, just like when walking and standing. Walking and standing are natural human movement patterns, and nobody uses a backrest or lumbar support while hiking, for example.
Strictly speaking, a backrest "disenfranchises" the human back muscles, which are actually designed to keep the back straight and maintain an upright posture.
However, if the muscles cannot work because they are prevented from doing so by the rigid sitting posture or a backrest, a lumbar support provides relief and support.
Lumbar support in Aeris office chairs
The ergonomic Aeris 3Dee office chair, thanks to its 3D technology, enables free and natural sitting with numerous intuitive changes in posture. It is equipped with a mid-height, physiologically shaped slatted backrest that offers relaxed support without restricting movement.
The lumbar curve and backrest pressure can be individually adjusted with a single movement. The backrest and lumbar support of the Aeris 3Dee offer maximum comfort and an additional option for changing posture, thus expanding the chair's range of uses.
Here you can find out what you should generally pay attention to when choosing an ergonomic office chair.
To maintain the natural S-shape of the spine even during prolonged sitting, a dynamic workstation with a sitting and a standing desk, like the Aeris Active Office®, is ideal. Regularly changing between sitting and standing strengthens the muscles and promotes a healthy and flexible spine.
