What does lumbar support do on ergonomic chairs?
When spending hours in an office or gaming chair, quality lumbar support is essential. A lumbar support system provides support to the lower back (lumbar region) while you are seated. This helps with maintaining a neutral spine and healthy posture, reducing muscle pain, strain, and fatigue.
In the UK, 27 per cent of employees experience back pain, according to Simplyhealth ⁽¹⁾. Almost 19 million working days are lost due to physical health issues. Eight million of these days are attributed to back pain, proving how essential back support is for an office or gaming chair.
We recommend an ergonomic office or gaming chair with an advanced lumbar support system. The Ergohuman office and gaming chairs are designed to alleviate back pain when used correctly and in conjunction with an active lifestyle.
The science of lumbar support
How does a lumbar support system work for our bodies?
> The anatomy of the lumbar spine
The lumbar spine is made up of five large vertebrae in the lower back, which support the body's weight, protect the spinal cord, and contribute to a wide range of motion. The lumbar vertebrae are also the centre of your balancing, walking, running, and lifting abilities.
There are several issues that can affect your back, including common lower back pain. This discomfort can arise from serious health conditions or, in many cases, from back strain, which is often the result of poor posture.⁽²⁾.
The lumbar spine naturally curves slightly inward, forming what’s known as the lordotic curve. This healthy curvature is important for evenly distributing your body weight across the spine and maintaining healthy posture.
> How lumbar support works
Maintaining a neutral posture is essential for back health. When you’re seated for a while, a good lumbar support system will help you keep the natural "S" shape of the lordotic curve, allowing the lower back to rest in the best position. This reduces stress on the spine and promotes healthy posture.
Think back to when working from home became the norm. Did you ever sit at the dining table to work? You’ll remember that it was hard to maintain an “S” shape in the spine. Most likely, you resorted to an awkwardly upright position or slouching, neither of which is comfy.
Our ergonomic chairs, on the other hand, are built to support healthy posture. Even if you begin to slouch, the lumbar support makes it easy to correct yourself.
The Ergohuman’s automatic lumbar support system is located within the height-adjustable backrest. Lift or lower the backrest height to align the lumbar bar with your spine's curve. Once set, you can adjust the lumbar tension pressure to suit your weight and preferences. The built-in flex also adapts to your movements, ensuring ongoing comfort while you work.
When the lumbar support system is properly positioned, it aligns with the natural curve of the lower back, preventing the spine from flattening or slumping. Without this support, the spine can curve outwards, leading to slouching. Slouching increases strain on the lower back and places extra pressure on the muscles, discs and nerves.
Our lumbar support also alleviates pressure on the spinal discs, which act as cushions between each vertebra. It also relieves pressure on the nerves in the lower back, which can otherwise become irritated or pinched, causing leg pain.
Lumbar support on Ergohuman office chairs
Our ergonomic office and gaming chairs feature automatic lumbar support systems to support the lumbar spine. The adjustable backrest height, seat depth, and lumbar tension all work together to provide incredible comfort for each individual’s weight, height, and preferences.
If you’ve never experienced proper lumbar support before, it may feel quite extreme, to begin with, but hold steady – after a week or two, you should get used to the feeling, and you will experience sustained comfort.
The advantage of an active lumbar support system is that it’s customisable for each individual. You can adjust it to suit your comfort and posture needs. That’s what makes it excellent for people with specific lumbar support requirements. It’s also more flexible and adaptable, making it great for those who move frequently while seated, such as gamers.
Our lumbar support system is also designed to remain supportive and comfortable in the various recline positions. Keep the chair in free-float recline mode and enjoy easy reclining while the lumbar bar remains supportive of your lower back. You can also lock the recline in any of four positions if you have a favourite spot.
For additional comfort while reclining, consider adding a legrest and headrest to your Elite office chair, as this helps maintain a neutral spine and reduces pressure on the lower back. The gaming chairs come fully loaded with a headrest and legrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
> What are the benefits of a chair with lumbar support?
A quality lumbar support system can reduce back pain by alleviating pressure on the spinal discs. It can also improve posture and spinal alignment, leading to enhanced comfort. When seated for hours, an adjustable lumbar support system contributes to incredible comfort and possibly even enhanced productivity.
> What is the best way to sit in an office or gaming chair?
How you sit in your ergonomic chair is as important as the chair you choose. You could buy the best office chair in the market, and if you don’t adjust it according to your measurements, you may not experience the intended comfort.
First, sit in the chair with your back against the backrest and feet flat on the floor. Adjust the seat height so your knees are at a 90-degree angle for optimal blood flow and comfort.
Next, adjust the seat depth. Slide the seat until there is a 3 cm gap between the front of the seat and the back of your legs.
Decide on your recline position. You can keep it in free-float mode in order to recline easily throughout the day or lock it in any of the four positions to suit your tasks and preferences.
Switch on or off the forward seat tilt, which activates when free-float mode is on.
Adjust the backrest height so the lumbar support system fits comfortably to the shape of your spine. Next, modify the lumbar tension to increase or decrease its strength.
The 5D armrests have adjustable height, width, depth, angle, and armpad tilt. It’s easy to make adjustments depending on your task or gaming style. You will want to customise the support depending on whether you’re typing, reading, using a handheld device, or relaxing in your chair.
If you have a headrest and legrest, adjust them to suit your comfort needs. The headrest is height- and angle-adjustable to fit into your neck’s curvature and your head height. The legrest simply extends up or down.
Put your back health first
Good lumbar support, like those in our comfortable office and gaming chairs, can significantly reduce pain and strain while promoting a healthy posture and enhancing overall comfort. Investing in an ergonomic office chair with an automatic and adjustable lumbar support system is a smart choice for your health, productivity, and business. Explore our selection of office chairs and gaming chairs to find your perfect comfort zone.