We know that feeling. That “Ouch, my back really hurts” feeling. That feeling where it hurts when you sit down, but it also hurts when you stand up. Sometimes we know exactly what we did to cause it. Other times, it seems to creep up on us out of nowhere, for no reason.

This back pain can range from feeling a little bit achy to nearly debilitating. In any case, it’s a painful nuisance that puts a damper on your day, sometimes even causing you to call into work.

Many of us feel that we have to suffer through this back pain, that there’s nothing we can do about it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you have suffered from lumbar or back pain for too long, a lumbar pillow could provide the relief you’ve been searching for.

Where is Your Lumbar Spine?

You hear the words “lower lumbar support” and “lumbar pain” thrown around a lot, but what does the word mean?

When we refer to your “lumbar,” we’re actually referring to a few vertebral bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels at the bottom end of the spine. 

This portion of your spine is important because it provides support for the upper parts of the spine and controls movements of both the spine and legs. When we ask so much of this area of our body, it’s no wonder why it hurts sometimes.

What Causes Lumbar Pain?

What sort of motions do we do with our bodies that lead to this lower back pain?

There are quite a few different things you can do to stress out your lumbar spine and cause that lower back pain.

Your Job

Yes, your job could absolutely be the thing causing that achy back at the end of the day.

When you think of job-related back pain, you may immediately think of hard labor. Lifting heavy things and working construction all day must cause back pain, right? You’re not wrong there, but you may be surprised at what other jobs cause back pain.

If you’re mostly sedentary at your job, that could also cause some lower back pain. Sitting at a desk all day can put a lot of stress on your lower back, which does most of the work holding up your body weight.

This is why it’s important to make sure you have proper support for your lower back during long days at the office.

Improper Form When Lifting or Working Out

Overuse injuries can cause lumbar spine pain as well. If you’re lifting weights or rowing with an improper form, you could cause tears in the muscles and ligaments in your lower back that are hard to get rid of.

This is a concerning cause of lumbar spine pain since it is due to injury, and you should seek medical help if this happens.

Poor Posture

Yet another common cause of lumbar spine pain is poor posture.

When you don’t sit or stand properly, your body distributes weight unevenly. This leaves your lumbar spine struggling to keep up and level out your body, causing a lot of that lower back pain.

You can solve this problem by paying attention to your posture and strengthening your core muscles to keep your body standing up correctly.

What Is a Lumbar Pillow?

When you have lumbar spine pain caused by poor posture or a sedentary lifestyle, consider trying out a lumbar pillow.

A lumbar pillow is a specially designed cushion made of memory foam and gel. It comes out in an arch and has high sides. You can attach a lumbar pillow to your chair at the office, your driver’s seat in your car, anywhere you need lumbar support.

Some of them feature cooling gels or ventilation holes to avoid any sweat accumulating on your back after long days of working.

They usually come with some sort of straps so that they can be attached to the seat. These straps give you the option of adjusting the lumbar pillow to align with your body and back.

How Do They Work?

What does a lumbar pillow do?

It works by keeping you from leaning too far back or sitting too far forward. When you lean into the cushion an appropriate amount, it will provide you support for your lumbar spine, alleviating that pain from too much stress.

It essentially ensures that you maintain proper posture when seated, keeping you from experiencing lumbar spine pain. And it just makes sitting down more comfortable.

Do They Actually Help?

Before you try something out, it’s only natural to wonder if it really works.

Luckily, we’re happy to relate that lumbar pillows are proven to be effective at reducing lower back fatigue and soreness. 

In clinical trials, they have shown a reduction in flattening of the lumbar spine that causes the achiness of your lower back.

The gel cushion lumbar pillows, in particular, can provide another level of comfort. This is because they form to your soft pelvic tissue, providing support only exactly where you need it.

Lumbar pillows redistribute weight and allow your lumbar spine muscles to relax and release, stopping those muscle contractions that cause pain.

So, Is a Lumbar Pillow Worth It?

When you consider all of the factors and research surrounding the efficacy of lumbar support pillows, are they worth it?

Lumbar pillows are certain to provide you with the support and relief that your lower back needs from the weight and stress that it has to hold up. Support your lumbar spine that has always supported you by treating your back to a lumbar pillow.

Sources:

Lumbar Spine Anatomy and Pain | Spine-Health

Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment | Spine-Health

"Back pain at work: Preventing pain and injury" | Mayo Clinic