Back

Back Health and Support

Back pain – strain, posture and technical principles behind back support

Biomechanics of the spine

The spine consists of 33–34 vertebrae that together form a flexible but stable pillar for the entire body. It supports the weight of the upper body, protects the spinal cord, and enables movement in multiple planes.
The lumbar spine that most often causes pain (L1–L5) is particularly vulnerable because it receives up to 70% of the entire body's vertical load when standing and walking.

Between each vertebra is an intervertebral disc (disk) that acts as a shock absorber. When you have poor posture, lift heavy objects, or sit for long periods of time, these discs can be subjected to uneven pressure distribution, causing pain and stiffness.

Common causes of back pain

  • Mechanical overload: heavy or repeated lifting, torque.
  • Static load: prolonged sitting without lumbar support.
  • Muscle imbalance: weak core muscles and short hip flexors.
  • Disc degeneration or bulging: uneven pressure in the discs.
  • Incorrect posture: forward-rotated pelvis, increased lordosis.

Biomechanical and technical analysis

When standing upright, the body's line of gravity should pass through the ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.
When the posture deviates from this, the torque force on the lumbar spine increases exponentially.
For example:

  • A forward bend of 20° increases the pressure on the lumbar discs by about 50% .
  • At a forward tilt of 45° during lifting, the disks can be subjected to over 1,500 N of compression.

The deep core muscles (transversus abdominis, multifidus) function as a natural corset system . When these are not activated sufficiently, stability is lost, leading to compensatory tension in the superficial muscles of the lumbar spine.

During prolonged sitting, the discs become compressed and intradiscal pressure increases by up to 40% compared to a standing position .
This explains why static office work often causes pain in the lower back and buttocks.

Prevention and self-care

  • Train your core regularly.
  • Switch between sitting and standing work.
  • Avoid sitting slouched; use lumbar support.
  • Lift with your legs, not your back – keep the weight close to your body.
  • Take short walks every hour when working sedentary jobs.

Technical function of the backrests

A backrest is designed to distribute load and increase postural control rather than passively fixating the body.
The most technically advanced supports use:

  • Elastic materials with gradual compression , which support the lumbar spine without restricting mobility.
  • Semi-rigid braces or shaped back panels to stabilize the lumbar curvature (lordosis).
  • Proprioceptive zones , which stimulate the core muscles and remind the user of correct posture.
  • Heat-regulating material (micromesh) that increases blood circulation during muscle tension.

Several European patents describe precisely this balance between support, freedom of movement and muscular activation , for example:

  • EP2217546B1 – Lumbar orthosis with adjustable tension zones
  • WO2016153429A1 – Orthopedic belt for dynamic spinal support

Clinical and technical evidence

Biomechanical studies show that lumbar support can reduce muscle activation in paraspinal muscles by up to 15–20% during heavy lifting, reducing fatigue while maintaining natural posture.
Additionally, proprioceptive support belts have been shown to improve postural feedback in people with chronic pain, contributing to reduced pain response over time.

Summary

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders globally.
Understanding the biomechanics of the spine, posture and muscular balance is crucial for preventing and treating the condition.
Technically well-designed backrests can provide temporary relief and sensory support during recovery or during static loading, without hindering the body's natural movement patterns.

NordFiness applies these principles in its backrests, focusing on comfort, breathability and biomechanical functionality.

References

  • 1177 Health Guide: Back pain – causes and self-care
  • McGill, S. (2007). Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation. Human Kinetics.
  • Adams, MA, & Dolan, P. (2005). Biomechanics of Back Pain. Baillière's Best Practice & Research.
  • EP2217546B1 – Lumbar orthosis with adjustable tension zones.
  • WO2016153429A1 – Orthopedic belt for dynamic spinal support.
  • NordFiness technical analysis of the backrest's material and compression principles.