A quick look at the best lumbar support pillows
Best for the car: Purple Back Cushion and Dreamer Car Lumbar Support
Best breathable lumbar support: Coop Home Goods Ventilated Orthopedic Lumbar Cushion
Best for sitting, sleeping, or working in bed: Coop Home Goods Four Position Support Pillow
Best luxury lumbar support: Velvet Floral Lumbar Pillow by Kevin O’Brien Studio
Best lumbar support for laughs: Bread-shaped plush pillow
Do you ever get low back pain after a long drive or a long day spent sitting at your desk?
If so, you’re in good company: A 2015 studyTrusted Source found that the rate of chronic, impairing low back pain more than doubled between 1992 and 2006.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 60 to 70 percentTrusted Source of people in industrialized countries will experience low back pain in their lifetime.
Research has proven that sitting, especially poor sitting posture, is a big contributor to low back pain, whether you’re sitting in a car, at a desk, or in bed.
But since we must sit, we can at least make it more comfortable by using pillows made especially to support our low backs.
What makes for good lumbar support?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) found that more than 1 in 4 working adults experience low back pain.
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NIOSH maintains a detailed website of resourcesTrusted Source for reducing low back pain in the workplace.
One of the organization’s most comprehensive recommendations is applying the science of ergonomics.
NIOSH defines ergonomics as “the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.”
In simpler terms, ergonomics uses our knowledge of the body to adjust and customize all types of working conditions, with the goal of preventing musculoskeletal disorders and reducing or preventing chronic pain.
The lumbar region is the lower part of your spine, also called the low back or lower back. Prolonged sitting often results in hunching, which fights the natural curvature of the lumbar spine. This can lead to pain and strain.
Placing pillows behind your lower back, under your knees, or in both areas can provide good lumbar support. It’ll help your spine maintain its natural curve and reduce pressure on your low back.
How we chose
Popularity. We seek out products that aren’t only highly reviewed, but are used and loved by hundreds of customers.
Clinical research. This piece was conceived based on multiple studies that show the benefits of getting lumbar support from specialty pillows.
Company reputation and transparency. We only recommend products from trusted brands. This means they haven’t had any recent recalls and lawsuits.
Customer reviews. All products have an average customer rating of at least 4 stars.
