The Battle for Support
Lumbar Support Pillow vs. Built-In Lumbar Support
When it comes to maintaining a healthy posture and ensuring comfort during long hours of sitting, we’ve been told lumbar support is crucial.
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Whether you're working at a desk, driving, or relaxing at home, it has been said that proper lumbar support can make a significant difference in your overall well-being.
In this battle for support, two popular options stand out:
Lumbar support pillow
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Built-in lumbar support
Each has its unique advantages and challenges, and neither is a perfect solution. Let's delve into the pros and cons of each to understand which might be the best fit for you.
Lumbar support pillow
Advantages
Variety of Options
These pillows come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing you to choose one that suits your needs.
From memory foam to inflatable options, there's a wide range of choices available.
Adjustability
One of the most significant benefits of a lumbar support pillow is its adjustability.
You can move it up or down to find the perfect spot that will align the natural curve of your spine, usually near the top of the pelvis.
This flexibility ensures that you can customize the support according to your height and personal comfort preferences.
PORTABILTY
Lumbar support pillows are portable, making them ideal for people who need support in different settings.
Whether you're moving from your office chair to your car seat or even traveling, you can easily carry your pillow with you.
Lumbar Support Pillow
Advantages
Adjustability
One of the most significant benefits of a lumbar support pillow is its adjustability.
You can move it up or down to find the perfect spot that will align the natural curve of your spine, usually near the top of the pelvis.
This flexibility ensures that you can customize the support according to your height and personal comfort preferences.
PORTABILTY
Lumbar support pillows are portable, making them ideal for people who need support in different settings.
Whether you're moving from your office chair to your car seat or even traveling, you can easily carry your pillow with you.
Variety of Options
These pillows come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing you to choose one that suits your needs.
From memory foam to inflatable options, there's a wide range of choices available.
Challenges
Finding the Right Thickness
One of the common issues with lumbar support pillows is finding the right thickness.
If the pillow is too thick, it can push you too far forward, causing discomfort. If it's too thin, it may not provide adequate support.
Upper Back Support
When a lumbar support pillow is well-positioned, it often means that your upper back doesn't make contact with the chair.
This lack of upper back support can lead to discomfort or poor posture over time.
Challenges
Finding the Right Thickness
One of the common issues with lumbar support pillows is finding the right thickness.
If the pillow is too thick, it can push you too far forward, causing discomfort. If it's too thin, it may not provide adequate support.
Upper Back Support
When a lumbar support pillow is well-positioned, it often means that your upper back doesn't make contact with the chair.
This lack of upper back support can lead to discomfort or poor posture over time.
BUILT-IN Lumbar support
Advantages
No Additional Accessories Needed
Built-in lumbar support is integrated into the design of the chair, so there's no need to purchase or adjust additional accessories.
This can be convenient and ensure a clean, uncluttered look.
Consistent Support
Once you find a chair with built-in lumbar support that works for you, it provides consistent support every time you sit down.
There's no need to worry about adjusting or repositioning a pillow.
Built-In Lumbar Support
Advantages
No Additional Accessories Needed
Built-in lumbar support is integrated into the design of the chair, so there's no need to purchase or adjust additional accessories.
This can be convenient and ensure a clean, uncluttered look.
Consistent Support:
Once you find a chair with built-in lumbar support that works for you, it provides consistent support every time you sit down.
There's no need to worry about adjusting or repositioning a pillow.
Challenges
Fixed Positioning
One of the main drawbacks of built-in lumbar support is that it often isn't positioned at the correct height for everyone.
Since it's fixed, it may not align with the natural curve of your spine, especially if you're taller or shorter than average.
Depth of Support
It can be challenging to find a chair with built-in lumbar support that offers the right depth of support.
Too much support can push you forward uncomfortably, while too little can leave you without adequate lumbar support.
Challenges
Fixed Positioning
One of the main drawbacks of built-in lumbar support is that it often isn't positioned at the correct height for everyone.
Since it's fixed, it may not align with the natural curve of your spine, especially if you're taller or shorter than average.
Depth of Support
It can be challenging to find a chair with built-in lumbar support that offers the right depth of support.
Too much support can push you forward uncomfortably, while too little can leave you without adequate lumbar support.
THE outlier: pelvis support
Advantages
The Solution to Spinal Alignment
Pelvis support plays a critical role in achieving and maintaining good posture, since the angle of the pelvis determines the position of the spine.
Proper pelvis support helps to stabilize the lower back, preventing slouching and the cascading effects of poor posture throughout the body.
When the pelvis is well-supported, the spine can maintain its natural curves, reducing the risk of developing chronic back pain, fatigue, and other musculoskeletal issues.
Good Posture Over Time
Supporting the pelvis throughout the sitting day prevents the pelvis from “collapsing”, resulting in slouching. The body adapts to good sitting over time and will result in improved posture overall.
The Outlier: Pelvis Support
Advantages
The Solution to Spinal Alignment
Pelvis support plays a critical role in achieving and maintaining good posture, since the angle of the pelvis determines the position of the spine.
Proper pelvis support helps to stabilize the lower back, preventing slouching and the cascading effects of poor posture throughout the body.
When the pelvis is well-supported, the spine can maintain its natural curves, reducing the risk of developing chronic back pain, fatigue, and other musculoskeletal issues.
Good Posture Over Time
Supporting the pelvis throughout the sitting day prevents the pelvis from “collapsing”, resulting in slouching. The body adapts to good sitting over time and will result in improved posture overall.
Challenges
It’s Hard to Find
Very few chairs offer support low enough to be considered pelvis support.
The goal is to find a chair that provides support to the upper pelvis, just below the lumbar area.
It Needs to Be Adjustable
The few chairs that offer support closer to the pelvis are either static or on a spring which does not provide the support required to maintain the pelvis position over time.
Challenges
It’s Hard to Find
Very few chairs offer support low enough to be considered pelvis support.
The goal is to find a chair that provides support to the upper pelvis, just below the lumbar area.
It Needs to Be Adjustable
The few chairs that offer support closer to the pelvis are either static or on a spring which does not provide the support required to maintain the pelvis position over time.
THE verdict
Both lumbar support pillows and built-in lumbar support have their strengths and weaknesses.
But ultimately the best choice for maintaining posture over time is pelvis support due to its biomechanical advantages as the foundation of the spine.
Lumbar Support Pillow
If you value adjustability and portability, a lumbar support pillow might be the better option for you.
However, be prepared to experiment with different thicknesses and positions to find the best fit.
Built-In Lumbar Support
If you prefer a more integrated, hassle-free solution and don't want to deal with additional accessories, built-in lumbar support could be the way to go.
Just ensure that the chair you choose has adjustable features to help you achieve the best possible support.
Adjustable Pelvis Support
As the foundation of the spine, supporting the pelvis in neutral will result in spinal alignment.
An adjustable pelvis support will accommodate multiple body types and provide individualized support.
Lumbar Support Pillow
If you value adjustability and portability, a lumbar support pillow might be the better option for you.
However, be prepared to experiment with different thicknesses and positions to find the best fit.
Built-In Lumbar Support
If you prefer a more integrated, hassle-free solution and don't want to deal with additional accessories, built-in lumbar support could be the way to go.
Just ensure that the chair you choose has adjustable features to help you achieve the best possible support.
Adjustable Pelvis Support
As the foundation of the spine, supporting the pelvis in neutral will result in spinal alignment.
An adjustable pelvis support will accommodate multiple body types and provide individualized support.
Anthros is the only FDA registered chair on the market that is guaranteed to relieve pain – or your money back.
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Anthros is the only chair in the world that is guaranteed to relieve pain — or your money back. Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance.
Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance.
Anthros is the only FDA registered chair on the market that is guaranteed to relieve pain – or your money back.
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