Lumbar supports are used in the treatment of low back pain patients to make the impairment and disability vanish or decrease. Lumbar supports are also used to prevent the onset of low back pain (primary prevention) or to prevent recurrences of a low back pain episode (secondary prevention).

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While the spine can maintain a natural curvature without lower back support provided by the seatback, the natural tendency for most people when sitting for a long period is to slouch forward. This slouching posture pushes the lower back out, so that the natural inward curve goes in the opposite direction—outward toward the chair—straining the structures in the lower back.

When sitting in an office chair, a good lumbar back support should be flush against the small of the back. Many portable lumbar back supports are shaped specifically so that one end should be positioned up and the other down. When placed correctly, a lumbar back support should provide the following benefits:
Ears, shoulders, and pelvis (hips) are kept in alignment

Back support options

Portable lumbar back support. A curved cushion or lumbar roll, fitted to the seat back of an office chair, can be manually placed to fit the proper areas of the lumbar region. These cushions can be used in conjunction with most types of chairs to best fit the individual's need. Some products may be inflatable to increase or decrease the amount of support. Again, many portable lumbar supports are designed to have a particular end facing up and the other down. This type of support may be transferred to the office chair, to use in chairs at home, in the car, etc.

Natural inward curvature of the lower spine is maintained

It is important that the back be flush, because this is what provides the support for the lower back. Overall, the lumbar back support should keep the spine in a very natural position. It should not overly accentuate the inward curve, nor should it feel unsupported.