Lumbar Supports from The Back Centre, Ivybridge, Devon. Specialists in home and office ergonomics

Lumbar Supports

What they do and how to choose

Lumbar supports are our most commonly supplied back care product. They are foam or air-filled, shaped cushions which are designed to infill and support the natural inward curve of the lumbar spine when the user is seated (as in the diagrams below). The shape and size of support is dependent on two principal factors; the type of seating (e.g. office chair, sofa, car seat etc) and the user's size and shape. In general, the softer the seating, the larger the lumbar support required. In softer seating such as armchairs and sofas, you may need a support of much greater thickness than in firmer seating, such as car seats and office chairs.

Diagram showing where lumbar supports are used

Lumbar supports are positioned with the thickest part of the support at belt level, to support the top of the pelvis and to fit comfortably in the small of the back. We encourage customers to try before they buy wherever possible and to choose a lumbar support which isn't too large for the job. Most people imagine that they need a lumbar support the size of a small tree trunk, but it's surprising how small the support needs to be, particularly in car seats. Cylindrical lumbar rolls or 'D' rolls are generally inappropriate in car seats as they push the body too far forward and you lose contact with the car seat above and below the support. They can also localise pressure in a small area of the back, which is very uncomfortable for any length of time. It is much better and far more comfortable to spread the pressure and support the back as evenly as possible, meaning that aerofoil shapes (which taper gently) are generally better than cylinders and D rolls.

Dimensions are given as H (height from bottom to top), W (width from side to side) and T (maximum thickness).

Putnam Duo Car Lumbar Support

The Duo is also available in tough black fabric

An excellent, small, comfortable, viscoelastic foam lumbar support which has a halter-neck strap to suspend it at the right height from the car seat head rest. It is unique in that it also has a removable layer of foam to make it even slimmer if required. It is narrow enough to fit in between the wings of modern car seats. Available in a synthetic fleece (main photo) or hard wearing black zipped cover.

Product Code: 4111.19

Dimensions: H:21cm; W:28cm; Max T:7.5cm or 5.5cm

Price inc VAT: £29.00

Price ex VAT: £24.68

Tempur Transit Lumbar Support

A very popular, small, viscoelastic foam lumbar support most commonly used in car seats. It has no straps to attach it but you get used to positioning it when you get in the vehicle. Blue cover only.

Product Code: 4111.35

Dimensions: H:25cm; W:30cm; Max T:6cm

Price inc VAT: £38.00

Price ex VAT: £32.34

Spina-Bac Lumbar Support

Spina-Bac Lumbar Support in Fawn

A larger, slim, adjustable lumbar support most commonly used in car seats. The tough plastic inner frame has vertical steel bands which offer adjustable curvature to suit a wide range of body shapes. The hard wearing zipped covers are available in Black, Blue Fawn or Burgundy.

Product Code: 4111.22

Dimensions: H:42cm; W:31cm; Max D:6cm

Price inc VAT: £55.00

Price ex VAT: £46.81

Posture Products Mini Pad Lumbar Support

A square, soft, polyethylene foam lumbar support, most suitable for car seats, although it has no straps for attachment. Only available in Blue.

Product Code: 4111.39

Dimensions: H:29cm; W:30cm; Max D:7cm

Price inc VAT: £20.50

Price ex VAT: £17.45