Lumbar Pillow Guide

Lumbar Pillow - Prevent and Relieve Lower Back Pain

A lumbar pillow is a very simple item that gives very powerful results. By offering essential support to your lower back while sitting at your desk on in your car, lumbar pillows help you adopt the right posture and prevent or relieve lumbar pain.

The Roots of Lower Back Pain - Why we suffer from back pain and how the lumbar pillow can help.

The back is a masterpiece of engineering with bone, muscles, nerves and other soft tissues working in harmony to support us in an upright position.

The trouble is that our bodies were designed for a more active lifestyle. And sitting for long periods places a strain on our torsos.

The problem is made worse by the fact that most chairs aren't really designed to give your lower back the vital support it needs.

The result for those of us who live the sedentary lifestyle is lower back pain. Unless that is you can find an item that gives your lumbar region the vital support it needs when you're sitting.

Introducing the Lumbar Pillow

Enter the lumbar pillow. It's a specialized type of orthopedic pillow that provides vital support for the lower back when you're sitting. By doing so it relieves pressure on the lumbar region of the spine.

Lumbar support pillows come in a range of shapes and fillings.

At its most basic, a lumbar pillow is a simple rectangular item measuring around twelve inches by five inches and about two inches thick. This is the optimum size to support the lumbar region while sitting.

Some models feature handles or attachments at each end for ease of positioning.

The covering is usually cotton or polyester of a blend of the two. Most lumbar support pillows come with removable machine washable covers which is a great feature as they can get dirty and sweaty.

Other shapes include the cylindrical full roll pillow and a half roll pillow. The latter is used by putting its flat side against your chair and the rounded side against your lower back to provide lumbar support.

Wedge shapes are also available.

The stuffing is of key importance. It has to be a dense material to give the right support and not compact over time. And of course it needs to be soft enough to be comfortable when sitting against it for long periods.

You can choose from a range of filling materials. The most common is dense foam which offers the optimum blend of softness and firmness.

One sophisticated option is to use back pillows filled with memory foam which will 'remember' the contours of your body.

In harmony with these modern eco-conscoius times is the trend is to use organic fillings. Buckwheat hulls are very popular right now as is rice. Some users like to heat these up in a microwave to apply a soothing warmness to their lower backs.

One nice touch is the lumbar massage pillow. This handy device works like a standard unit but contains a massage function.

A great option for traveling or just taking around with you to use in restaurants, theaters and libraries for example is the travel lumbar pillow or cushion. Great for use on long rail or air journeys.

These are inflatable items that pack away to a tiny size or easy carrying in your purse or pocket. Some of them are self inflation. Just pop the cap and they unfurl up to full size. They're not recommended for extended use, however.

You can also get magnetic back pillows. These are claimed to use bio-north magnetic fields to relieve muscle tension and prevents lower back strain. There is no medical evidence to support the idea that magnetism has any effect on back pain.

Always remember that back pain can be the symptom of a serious underlying condition and your should always consult your medical advisor in case of any queries.

Using a lumbar pillow is a safe, inexpensive way to support your back and prevent or relieve back pain. A quality item will give your many years of use. You can find the best range of pillows and lumbar cushions at the web sites of online vendors. Check out the back support cushion buying tips.