How Important is Lumbar Support? 6 Facts You Should Know
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While you have no problem knowing when you have an aching back, you might not know how important lumbar support is in your everyday life. Just how important is lumbar support to your back?
In the past, back pain was associated with the elderly or people who did manual labor. However, in our modern society, back pain is becoming an everyday problem for many people.
If you understand some facts about lumbar support and that a lack of it is detrimental to your physical health, you will understand the importance of lumbar support and be able to avoid suffering from an aching back.
Lumbar Support Must-Know Facts
#1. To keep us erect, the spine needs a strong musculature.
Having a strong musculature helps to carry our body weight. Muscles gain strength through physical movement. The less you move, the more you lose strength in your muscles. The phrase “move it or lose it” is apropos to having a strong musculature.
The lifestyle we live today does not support strong muscles. Travel is, by necessity, done in a car, bus, or train. There are elevators and escalators so that stairs get neglected.
Electric bikes and electric scooters get us around urban areas. Children prefer to sit behind a screen and play video games than run and play outside. Today’s world and our habits have taken a toll on musculature systems.
#2. The job scale has tipped heavily to the side of tech, and manual labor jobs have dwindled.
At over $1.6 trillion, the US Technology Sector is one of the largest components of the nation’s economy. The tech industry is continuing to grow, which means that it is the norm to have a desk job.
The way we work is changing; people are not working in jobs with manual labor, but behind a desk, and it has a profound impact on people physically.
#3. The natural tendency when sitting is to slouch forward.
If you sat for short periods during the day, this would not be an issue. But most people now work behind a desk and sit for most of the day.
When slouching, the lower back pushes out so that the back’s natural inward curve goes in the opposite direction, which strains the structures in the lower back.
#4. The lumbar region of the lower back contains only five lumbar vertebrae.
Although there are only five vertebrae in the lower back, they are the spinal column’s largest vertebrae. This region of your body is capable of a great deal of movement.
A human body is, by nature, designed to be in motion. There can be adverse effects on this area of the body when it does not get the necessary lumbar support.
#5. Office chair lumbar support is an essential component of your office equipment.
When you are sitting in your office chair, whether at home or your place of employment, you need to have an ergonomic office chair. An example of good lumbar back support is when the chair, or support, is flush against the small of the back. The back must be flush because this is what provides the support for the lower back.
#6. You can prevent or alleviate lower back pain by using some form of lumbar support.
Some form of lumbar support should be a given if you work from home or behind a desk. The most obvious form would be to have an office chair with lumbar support.
The working world learned a while ago that the Best Ergonomic Chairs were as essential as their laptop. Office ergonomics was not a fad; it was a science, and office chair ergonomics were front and center as a way to protect your physical health when working long hours behind a desk.
There Are Tools On The Market Today To Help With Lumbar Support
You know as well as I do that there are a gazillion things on the market for anything and everything. Please don’t think that lumbar support falls into the category of an unnecessary gadget. It is essential to your physical health and prevents lower back pain when you have some lumbar support.
The best form of lumbar support is in an office chair with that support. Many office chairs have a seat back that you can raise or lower to fit your needs.
If you don’t have that, and it is not an option to get one, you can get a lumbar support cushion to help support your lower back. The cushion is curved and can be placed in the proper area behind your back when sitting in a chair.
These cushions provide a form of portable lumbar support that you can take with you wherever you need it. These cushions come in several forms; some are in the shape of a roll, and others look more like a cushion.
The lumbar cushion support designs have a particular end facing up and the other end down. They are available online, in some of the bigger box stores, and at medical supply stores.
If you find yourself needing some sort of lumbar support, and have nothing available, watch this video of what to use in a pinch: DIY Lumbar Support for $1 – and Just as Effective.
In Conclusion
The world works differently today than it did a hundred years ago. The effect of that work style can be felt in the aches and pains you get in your lower back.
It is best to avoid sitting in the same position for more than thirty minutes at a time. If possible, you might consider one of the Best Standing Desks For Home Office.
There are also Best Height Adjustable Corner Standing Desk Converters that allow you to move back and forth between standing and sitting.
It is wise to use the ergonomic tools at your disposal to prevent experiencing that back pain and enhance your quality of life at the same time. The saying may sound trite, but there is only one you, and taking care of yourself will pay dividends long after your working days are over!
FAQ
Are there exercises to do that would help prevent back pain?
Yes, some exercises will help prevent back pain, but as with any exercise program, consult with your family physician before you begin any regime. Ask your doctor if these Back exercises in 15 minutes a day recommended by the Mayo Clinic would benefit you.
How do I maintain correct lumbar support when driving?
When driving, use back support at the curve of your back. This can be a rolled-up towel if you don’t have anything else. Your knees should be at the same level or a bit higher than your hips. Move the seat close to the steering wheel to support the curve of your back. The seat should be close enough to allow your knees to bend and your feet reach the pedals.