What is Lumbar Support and Why Do You Need it?

Much fuss seems to be made over lumbar support; you’ll hear the term when speaking about mattresses, adjustable bases, and even pillows. But what is lumbar support and who needs to be concerned with it when they sleep?

Lumbar support in a bed is extra support for the lower back, which is made up of five vertebrae between the sacrum and diaphragm. Lumbar support is designed to limit the strain put on our lower backs to keep us comfortable whilst in a seated position and is usually found in car seats and office chairs. But lumbar support is also super important when you sleep, just as it is at work sitting in a chair or driving your car. A lumbar-supportive mattress helps promote good sleep posture by filling in the gap between the lumbar spine and the mattress, supporting the natural inward curve of the lower back. If you suffer from any type of back pain or injury, lumbar support is worth looking into. Proper lumbar support helps with:

Posture: Lumbar support can help maintain the natural inward curve of the lower back, which can prevent slouching and promote good sleep posture. Without lumbar support, the hips and shoulders can sink in, flattening out the natural S curve of the spine.

Pressure: Lumbar support can help distribute contact pressure more evenly over the lumbar, pelvic, and thoracic areas while lying down. This can help relieve pressure and limit compressive and shearing forces on the lumbar spine.

Pain: Sleeping on a mattress that's too soft or in a stressful position can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower back. Lumbar support can help protect the back and prevent these symptoms from flaring up.

Who needs lumbar support?

Without proper support, you may experience significant discomfort and an overall decrease in posture health and comfort. If you notice that your lower back doesn't have the naturally curved S shape, then you likely need lumbar support. If you suffer from back pain at any time of the day or night, you also will benefit from lumbar support.

Lumbar support comes in a few forms, including:

Mattresses

A mattress with lumbar support can fill in the gap between the mattress and the lower back. Mattresses with lumbar support are designed to keep your spine aligned and reduce pressure on your lower back while you sleep. This can help distribute your body weight and relax your muscles. If your spine isn't supported, too much pressure can build up in your lumbar area, which can lead to pain. You'll want to consider an ergonomically designed mattress with targeted lumbar support. This often includes reinforced springs, a strip of foam, and/or specialized quilting at the center of the mattress.

Adjustable bases

Adjustable bases can have lumbar support in the form of a bar or section of the base that moves into place to support the lower back. This support can help with back pain by reducing pressure on the lower back and realigning the spine. Some models allow you to adjust the support up or down, while others have an adjustable edge-to-edge lumbar section. Adjustable beds can also help with back pain by allowing you to raise and lower your head and legs separately. This can help take pressure off your lower back and improve circulation. For example, the contour position, which slightly elevates your head and legs, can support your spine's natural curvature and promote proper alignment. This position can be beneficial for both back and side sleepers.

Lumbar support pillow

A lumbar support pillow can be used in bed, on the couch, in a car, or in a work chair. The best lumbar support pillows provide additional padding and are firm enough to support the lower back without causing discomfort.

Looking for lumbar support in your bed but don’t know where to start? Stop into Sleep Architecture Mattress Store and our sleep architects will guide you through the process. We have several lumbar support bedding options available. Here’s a quick rundown of mattresses and bases with superior lumbar support to get you started:

1. M Lily Fusion Orthopedic Mattress: A firm hybrid mattress that distributes body pressure evenly for joint and back support.

2. Blu Sleep Conforma Adapt Mattress: This mattress features four layers of anatomically zoned support and pressure-relieving comfort; it’s ideal for stomach and back sleepers, and those with back pain.

3. Puffy LUX Mattress: Smartly designed to decrease back pain by cradling muscles and joints, this mattress has individually pocketed coils to support you and eliminate motion transfer, aligning the spine.

4. Rize Home Remedy III Adjustable Base: Features edge-to-edge lumbar support and five preset positions to remove pressure, including zero-gravity.

5. Rize Home Contemporary IV Adjustable Base: Features edge-to-edge lumbar support, motorized head tilt and preset positions, including zero-gravity and leisure.

6. BedTech BT6500 Adjustable Base: Features head and foot tilt with lumbar position adjustment.