Do you dream of working comfortably while seated, without tension in your back? With lumbar support in your office chair, you can make your working day more comfortable. This practical support in your desk chair provides relief when your back feels strained and, if used early on, can help prevent it from getting that far in the first place. It actively supports your lumbar spine while you sit at your desk and helps you prevent back pain.
In our guide, we answer all your questions about lumbar support. We explain exactly
- what lumbar support is
- who it is suitable for
- what you should look out for when buying
- why it is so useful
- how to adjust it correctly to your body
What is lumbar support?
In short, lumbar support in a desk chair supports the lower back while sitting and helps promote a healthy posture for your spine. To answer the question in more detail, let’s first clarify what lordosis is.
To do that, let’s take a look at the human spine: it is divided into five sections: cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum and coccyx. When viewed from the side, the spine should have a slight double S-shaped curve. This S-shape gives it both flexibility and shock-absorbing properties.
More specifically, the cervical spine curves forwards, the thoracic spine backwards, the lumbar spine forwards, and the sacrum and coccyx backwards again. The two forward curves of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are referred to as lordosis. The backward curves, on the other hand, are called kyphosis.
Broad back muscles are located to the right and left of the lumbar spine. Together with the abdominal muscles, they support the lumbar spine area and ensure that it retains its natural forward curve.
And this is exactly where lumbar support comes in. It is a shaped and flexible insert in the backrest – usually in ergonomic desk chairs or car seats. It helps maintain a healthy sitting position in the lumbar region. This comfortable support is either integrated directly into the chair or can be added later as an upgrade.
Why is an office chair with lumbar support useful?
If you sit at your desk or in the car for long periods, sooner or later the muscles that support and stabilise the lumbar area become tired. Once this natural support decreases, the healthy posture of your back also changes. The slight, healthy curve of the lumbar spine straightens or may even curve backwards. This creates a rounded back, which can of course lead to back pain.
On the other hand, the curve can also become too pronounced, which is known as hyperlordosis and commonly referred to as swayback. The causes can likewise include sitting or standing for too long in a monotonous position. But performers who have to remain in one body position for long periods also suffer from it. An imbalance between the back and abdominal muscles can also lead to hyperlordosis.
To counteract this, there is the practical lumbar support. It ergonomically supports the lumbar vertebrae area and automatically helps you maintain an upright posture. The muscles are relieved and tension as well as back pain are prevented.
Lumbar support in the car
When looking for lumbar support, you have probably also come across one for the car. As you have probably guessed, it serves the same purpose as in the office: supporting the spine in a healthy way. Lumbar supports for cars are often retrofitted. For this, there are padding and support elements that are attached to the backrest – known as lumbar cushions, lumbar pillows or lordosis cushions.
The premium option is to install an additional back support directly into the car seat itself. If desired, this can even be electrically adjustable. The retrofitted lumbar support can then be adjusted to suit you using a separate lever.
When is lumbar support suitable?
Sitting for long periods
Lumbar support is generally suitable for anyone who sits a lot and for long periods. This may be in the office, but also in a vehicle if your job involves driving for hours at a time – and therefore sitting – as part of your daily routine.
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In the office: People who work in an office know the feeling all too well. Sitting for hours every day. Because that is exactly when we tend to put the wrong strain on our backs, lean forward and curve the spine.
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In the car: Lumbar support is also worthwhile for bus, truck or taxi drivers, as it actively supports them during hours of sitting.
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No height-adjustable desk: Ideally, you work in an office equipped with height-adjustable desks . If this is not the case or you do not have a height-adjustable desk in your home office, an ergonomic office chair with lumbar support is a good alternative. This will significantly improve your back health.
Don't wait until it's too late to get a desk chair with ergonomic lumbar support. After all, its main purpose is to help prevent back problems from developing in the first place. What's more, a healthy sitting posture not only helps your back, it also prevents premature fatigue and improves your concentration while working.
Whether at work or while driving – lumbar support helps maintain a healthy posture over long periods and therefore reduces the risk of secondary issues caused by poor posture.
After spinal surgery
For people who have had spinal surgery, for example due to a slipped disc, it is important to protect the back. If the back is weakened after the operation, an orthopaedic lumbar support can be a helpful aid during the healing process, as it relieves pressure on the lumbar spine. In this case, however, you should definitely seek medical advice before buying one.
How to adjust lumbar support correctly
The aim is to relieve and support your back comfortably. With the right adjustment, you can get through a long working day with ease:
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Sit down comfortably and relax in your desk chair
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Slide your hips all the way back against the backrest of the chair
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The backrest itself should be tiltable and move with your upper body when you lean back – for stability and dynamic sitting
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The lumbar support should be positioned at the height of the iliac crest, roughly at belt level
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When adjusting it, always pay attention to your individual comfort
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Some people prefer the lumbar support slightly higher, in the curved area of the lumbar spine, while others prefer it lower, in the area of the iliac crest
Also make sure to set your desk at the right height in relation to your office chair. If your desk is not height-adjustable, you may not be able to place your feet fully on the floor. For healthy sitting, however, you should be able to position your legs at a 90-degree angle.
If that is not possible, you can opt for a suitable footrest to compensate for the height difference. Simply place it under the desk so you can rest your feet comfortably on the footrest and support a healthy posture. We explain everything about footrests and what you should look out for when buying one in our guide to footrests.
What to look for when buying lumbar support
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Purpose
Find the right lumbar support for your personal needs. Portable add-on supports are practical because they are easy to transport and versatile in use. However, they sometimes do not offer the same quality as an integrated lumbar support. Lumbar supports designed specifically for the car, in turn, are less suitable for use with an office chair.
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Material
The material should not lose its effectiveness or deform even after prolonged use. For example, support cushions made of foam become compressed more quickly and lose their supportive effect over time.
Integrated lumbar support in the office chair
Here, too, there are differences in quality. It should meet a few criteria to satisfy the ergonomic needs of your back. This is what makes a good ergonomic lumbar support:
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High-quality lumbar supports are adjustable and can therefore be individually adapted to your body shape.
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Ideally, you should be able to adjust the height of the support and the degree of curvature.
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You should also be able to adjust the pressure of the backrest.
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It is important that you feel comfortable, secure support. However, you should not feel restricted in your freedom of movement
Lumbar support in the car
For a car seat, an integrated lumbar support is also ideal and offers the best support for your back. However, retrofitting one can involve high costs. In that case, a mobile support that can be attached afterwards is a good alternative.
As an additional element: the mobile lumbar support
Instead of choosing an office chair with integrated lumbar support, you can also get an additional lumbar cushion for your current chair. There are models for the entire back, the lower lumbar area or the middle lumbar area. Small lumbar cushions relieve pressure exactly where the lumbar spine is. This may feel unusual at first, as there is no additional support in the upper back or neck area. If you prefer a low backrest, a small support cushion can certainly make sense for you.
In general, however, we recommend choosing larger lumbar supports, as they support the entire back. Especially if you sit for several hours at a time. These mobile lumbar support versions are available:
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Lumbar cushion made of latex or memory foam (viscose) |
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Lumbar cushion made of cold foam |
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Mesh lumbar support |
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Inflatable lumbar cushion |
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As well as the filling, you should also pay attention to the cover of the support cushion. Ideally, it can be removed and machine washed. Alternatively, it should at least be easy to wipe clean on the outside. Ideally, the cover material is breathable to prevent sweating. Cotton, nylon or polyester, for example, are all suitable options.
Finally, the attachment of your lumbar support also matters. Common systems include straps or clips, elastic bands or hook-and-loop fasteners. In any case, the fastening should be flexibly adjustable so that you can attach your lumbar support depending on the size of the car seat or chair.
Office chairs with lumbar support specially for women
Did you know that there are office chairs designed specifically for women? Most desk chairs on the market are primarily tailored to the male body. However, women have different seating needs due to their different anatomy. For example, the back muscles are usually weaker and the connective tissue is looser. This makes a perfectly tailored office chair and an adjustable lumbar support all the more important.
One great option for women is, for example, the Ergohuman Slim. With its many different adjustment options, it offers maximum ergonomics, specially adapted to the female body. You can adjust the headrest, backrest, seat depth, armrests and, of course, the lumbar support precisely to your body. It is also equipped with a point-synchronised mechanism. This follows the body's exact movements and can be adjusted according to weight.
Lumbar support: popular with gamers
A lumbar support definitely also makes sense for gamers. After all, people do not only spend a lot of time sitting in the office; passionate players also like to spend several hours in front of a video game screen. Healthy sitting posture is therefore just as important when gaming as it is when working. That is why there is now also a range of ergonomic gaming chairs with integrated lumbar support.
Want to know more?
In our guide, you’ll find more interesting content on the broad topic of the workplace. Of course, we’re also happy to offer help and advice by phone, email or via online chat. We’re here for you and look forward to hearing from you!