The Correct Way to Use a Lumbar Support Pillow

It is easy to suffer an injury to your lower back (lumbar) area. You can injure it while playing sports, in a car accident, as a result of a household fall or through the aging process. After initially treating the injury with rest and ice, you will be instructed to start getting on with your normal everyday activities. When those activities include driving or sitting in an office chair, a lumbar support pillow can go a long way toward easing your discomfort.

Office Chair

• Many people who work in an office tend to slouch or sit with poor posture as the day goes by. This can be especially damaging if you already have some kind of lumbar weakness. In order to help support your lumbar area, slide the pillow in the gap between your lower spine and the chair. The pillow will be in a vertical position, and it will support your lumbar area as you sit in the chair and do your work.

Driving

• Driving for more than 15 minutes at a time can have a negative impact on a lumbar area that is already ailing. The force of gravity pulls down on the spine, and the result is pain, soreness and numbness. If your lumbar problems are also accompanied by sciatica pain that travels down one of your legs, you may also feel a sharp pain down that leg while driving. A lumbar pillow placed behind the lower back will support the natural curve of the lower spine and make driving long distances a less painful experience.

Sleep

• Many individuals with lumbar problems have a difficult time sleeping through the night. Extending your legs will result in pressure on the lower spine if you sleep on your back. To minimize the discomfort, place a pillow under your knees to relieve pressure on the lower spine. This should result in a more peaceful night of sleep.