Lumbar support that doesn't leave you on the edge of your seat

January 1, 2024 1:27 PM

Someone I know purchased a lumbar support pillow to use with their office chair. Their back has been hurting, and they thought this would help. They like the back support (yay), but the pillow is so thick that it pushes them out towards the front of their chair. Are there lumbar support pillows that can be used with an office chair, but that is just thick enough to provide support without pushing your whole body forward?

The pillow that they have is about 3-inches thick. It is somewhat curved and thinner at the bottom. The problem is that all those inches push them forward on their chair, so they get lumbar support but their tush also gets relocated.

Are there lumbar support pillows that attach to office chairs in a similar way, but that are only, say 1.5 inches thick? The idea would be to support the back but not relocate the whole body forward. We've been unable to find one.

Thank you.

posted by Winnie the Proust to Shopping (8 answers total)

A lot of office chairs have an adjustment where the seat can be slid back forward and backward, so double check if their chair has that feature and can slide out enough to accommodate the pad. If not, or if they're tall enough that the seat is already at max extension, it's probably not worth getting a whole new chair for it.
posted by LionIndex at 1:45 PM on January 1

The Purple back cushion is about 1.5" thick and straps to the back of the chair. The cushion leaves a gap below so your hips can still fit in underneath to the full depth of the seat. I prefer it to the cushions that "sit" on the seat and push you forward. I've had one for a couple of years and it's very comfortable. The only thing is that the gel is cold feeling which is great in the summer. As you sit in the chair for awhile. it gradually warms up.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 2:04 PM on January 1

I like the one from CushionLab.
posted by matildaben at 4:53 PM on January 1

N-thing the recommendation to see if the office chair can be adjusted to fit better (sunk cost fallacy and all that).

There are lumbar supports that are not cushions.
posted by oceano at 5:25 PM on January 1

Product dimensions at the link has a 4" thickness, so: McKenzie Slimline (2.5" depth); Relax Support Lumbar Roll (2.4" - 3.5" depth, 3 adjustable inserts); Gel Lumbar Support Pillow (2" depth). (Looking for lumbar support cushions for car seats and wheelchairs turned up shallower pillows.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:12 PM on January 1

This isn't exactly what you asked, but most people have never heard of it: Nada Chair an extremely clever device that uses knee straps to apply very firm comfortable pressure exactly where it is needed, independent of whatever padding the chair has. It works so well you might be fine on a comfy stool with no back support whatsoever.
posted by superelastic at 6:29 PM on January 1

Good office chairs are usually very adjustable, but are seldom adjusted well. Find the manual, adjust the chair.
posted by theora55 at 7:37 AM on January 2

Seconding the Purple back cushion. I've had one for a couple of years and it is very comfortable. You can adjust its height on the chair to the position that feels most supportive for your back without pushing forward.
posted by Preserver at 3:18 PM on January 2