Understanding Lumbar Support
Lumbar support is one of the most recognised features of an ergonomic office chair, but it's also one of the most misunderstood.
Many people believe that the more lumbar support a chair has, the more ergonomic it must be. Others assume that increasing the lumbar support will solve lower back discomfort.
In reality, lumbar support is only one part of an ergonomic chair. When correctly positioned, it helps support the natural curve of your lower back, but it cannot compensate for a chair that is the wrong size or incorrectly adjusted.
What Is Lumbar Support?
The lumbar spine is the lower part of your back. It naturally curves inwards and helps support your upper body when sitting and standing.
Lumbar support is designed to maintain this natural curve by filling the gap between your lower back and the backrest of the chair. Rather than forcing your spine into a particular position, it should provide gentle support that allows you to sit comfortably throughout the day.
Why Do Office Chairs Have Lumbar Support?
Many modern office chairs include some form of lumbar support, whether it's built into the shape of the backrest or provided as an adjustable feature.
Its purpose is to improve support for the lower back and accommodate the natural differences in body shape between users. Some chairs achieve this through the design of the backrest alone, whilst others allow the lumbar support to be adjusted for height, depth or firmness.
The presence of lumbar support doesn't automatically make a chair ergonomic. The overall design of the chair, its adjustability and how well it fits the user are far more important.
Do I Need Adjustable Lumbar Support?
Not necessarily.
For many people, a well-designed backrest provides all the support they need without requiring additional lumbar adjustment.
Adjustable lumbar support can be beneficial where more personalised support is required, but it shouldn't be considered an essential feature for every user.
The best ergonomic chairs are designed to fit the individual. Lumbar support is simply one of several adjustments that may help achieve that fit.
How Should Lumbar Support Be Adjusted?
Before adjusting the lumbar support, make sure the rest of the chair is set up correctly.
Sit fully back in the chair so your back is supported by the backrest. Adjust the seat height so your hips are slightly higher than your knees and ensure your feet are firmly supported on the floor or a footrest if required.
Once these foundations are in place, adjust the lumbar support so it sits comfortably within the natural curve of your lower back.
The aim is to provide gentle support, not pressure. If the lumbar support feels as though it's pushing you forwards or creating discomfort, it's likely to be positioned incorrectly or adjusted too aggressively.
When Can Adjustable Lumbar Support Be Beneficial?
Whilst many people are comfortable with the natural shape of a supportive backrest, adjustable lumbar support can be helpful for those who require more personalised positioning.
It may be particularly beneficial where:
- Multiple people use the same chair.
- Users have noticeably different body proportions.
- Additional lower back support is recommended following a DSE assessment.
- Fine adjustment is needed to improve long-term comfort.
In these situations, the ability to alter the height or depth of the lumbar support can help achieve a better overall fit.
Choosing a Chair With the Right Support
When choosing an ergonomic office chair, it's easy to focus on individual features such as adjustable lumbar support. However, the most important consideration is whether the chair fits the person using it.
Seat height, seat depth, backrest shape and overall adjustability all influence how well a chair supports your posture. A chair with a supportive backrest that fits correctly will often provide greater comfort than one with numerous adjustments that are never used or incorrectly set.
Lumbar support should be viewed as one element of a well-designed ergonomic chair rather than the feature that defines it.
Related Advice
If you're buying a new chair, our How to Choose an Ergonomic Office Chair guide explains the key features to consider and how to select a chair that suits your body and working environment.
Already have a chair? Read our How to Adjust an Ergonomic Office Chair guide for step-by-step advice on setting it up correctly.