The principle behind inserts is that they should offer you the following:
- Total Back Support. This is necessary as the main muscles in the back that hold it in any position are the 2 broad bands beside the spine. To get adequate comfort and relief from back pain, they must be kept in as relaxed a position as possible. This is only possible with providing total spinal support. The humble lumbar roll is great when utilized in the acute stages of back pain to reinforce your positioning but is not recommended to provide long term comfort.
- A means of adjustment so that as your condition or comfort level changes either with a change of seating or your condition, there is some means to make changes.
- It must have adequate lumbar support and be set at a backrest inclination of greater than 90 degrees
Having provided these 3 basic points, the choice of a back support is determined by your comfort level. Your will instinctively know if the support you choose provides you with the right level of support. Do not try to find a support that keeps pushing you in the small of your back all the time. You will shortly learn that this can be uncomfortable and the best combination is one where you have support right throughout your back.