OPTP The Original McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Travel Lumbar Support

I'm 75 years old with the typical lower back issues of a worn out body. During my later years and my back was hurting I have spent untold dollars on different lower back supports each promising to relieve my pain. Some were more trouble than they were worthand didn't really help much. Other's were cumbersome and really didn't help much. Still other's were too thick, it too thin, and you quessed it , didn't help much. Well finally after decades of being disappointed The McKenzie company has a swered my prayers. I can only speak to my individual case. Im not saying it's everybody's answer to a sore back. I am very, very satisfied with its capability and range of controlled support. The self inflation capability is not a big deal to me in itself but dies work. I can put my mouth on the valve , as per the instructions, and fill it up to any point of pressure , and close the valve. After it is in place on my lower back I can reach around to my back and turn the valve, ever so slightly, and reach the perfect pressure I need at that time. I spend most of my day in my recliner,which does not have lumbar support control. I love my recliner except for the one defect. Now that support has been corrected. I don't have to pay major money replaced my recliner just to get controlable lumbar support. Give it a try. It's not bulky or even heavy duty feeling. When I first opened the package I said "Really?" Thinking it was not well made or wouldn't hold up. Well it's been only a few days so longevity cannot be proven yet, but as far as form and comfort, I love getting out of my chair and not holding my back in pain untill I can loosen it up. I just get up off my chair and walk off without a second thought. Thank you McKenzie Co.

I wasn’t sure about this but it really worked for me. I had 4 back surgeries last year and finally went on an airplane last weekend. It was very easy to use and supported my spine either horizontally or vertically, depending on my pain/support needs. Very light. The fact that you can inflate or deflate in 1-2 seconds to your softness or hardness preference was convenient and easy. Glad I bought this. It’s a well thought out product for ppl with spine issues.

Bought this at the last minute prior to a month long trip to New Zealand. HUGE help for low back on long and short leg flights, as well as drives. Self Inflates and to deflate it is simple. Rolls up flat and fits into one of the water bottle pockets on my travel backpack. Don’t think I would have survived the long flights without it due to chronic low back pain related to aging. Easy to adjust degree of inflation/support. A+++worth every penny! If in doubt watch the videos, that convinced me!

The McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Lumbar Support is an excellent lumbar support, especially well suited for the car, minivan, or traveling on airplanes. We have been decades-long boosters of this product but have found that, consistently after a number of months and certainly a year, that leaks begin developing. Despite the leaks, we continue to purchase this excellent lumbar support though we are going to try a different brand this time around as we replace them in our cars in hopes the product from other manufacturers do not experience this issue.

Earlier I wrote a glowing review of this product. I sincerely loved it. However, the product has changed and is no longer a product I like. Depending on how the company responds (I wrote to them directly), I will return one of two new airbags / pillows that I bought as it is NOT ACCEPTABLE. My earlier review is below the ***** line. The updated one follows immediately; it is from the comments I gave directly to the company. I recently bought two Original McKenzie self-inflating airbags. I did this as my wife regretfully left one in a public place and it was lost. I liked the first one I had so much that I wrote a glowing review on your website and also posted it to Amazon. To replace the lost one, I ordered two, to assure I'd have one in reserve in case another was lost. I like the earlier one that much. However, I am GREATLY DISAPPOINTED by the new ones. When I got them from Amazon, they were bulging, fully inflated. I thought that was odd but dismissed it. Then, I opened one and used it. When I was done, I did as I so often did with the first one I owned, rolling it up to fully deflate it, closing the valve, unrolling and flattening it, and putting it aside. When I returned a few hours later, I found it fully inflated again. I checked the valve. It was securely closed, yet it "leaked" to a full and bulging position. This is not good as I travel with it in a folder slot of my briefcase and now I believe it will inflate in my bag and make my bag appear stuffed. The earlier model _definitely_ did not do this. It would remain thin and flat for days. In addition, I fear that on airliners, which I often use, the airbag will inflate past where I want it when the airplane ascends and the cabin pressure rises. I valued the earlier version as it was a small, thinner back pillow. This worked well for my back and I don't need or want it to be so thickly inflated. Lastly, this airbag is finished differently. It feels more "plasticy" than the earlier model. I think it will cause sweating. Perhaps this is related to why it inflates all on its own. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! Depending on how you reply, I may seek to return (to Amazon) the one I never removed from it's plastic bag container. If I must do this, I will update my earlier review to state the new version of this once-valued airbag is no longer the quality of the earlier model. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS PRODUCT. I want the earlier version but suspect you no longer offer it. If you have any of those left, I would buy them but I am not happy with this newer model. ******************************************** After a serious back injury some years ago, I have tried many back pillows, to give lumbar support in the majority of chairs that have lousy (even awful, or no) lumbar support. Some pillows have been good, specifically the sort you use at home that retain their shape. I also like the mesh ones you can buy inexpensively. However, these don't transport well -- either on airplanes or to your local restaurant. So, I've also tried several air-inflating pillows. Most sprung a leak and became useless, though I have one I like that I've only had to replace once. However, the best yet, especially for travel, is the Original McKenzie® Self-Inflating AirBack™ Lumbar Support. This is the best I've found for a few reasons -- (1) It is small and discreet, when you may not want to advertise your back weakness; (2) It lasts well. I only had to replace it when my wife left mine somewhere after borrowing it and someone else evidently decided they liked it, too; (3) It is fairly thin. I do not need a thick pillow and the air-inflated ones I've used I only filled partially; (4) It rolls up small when evacuating the air though I usually then flatten it out and carry it in a briefcase; and, (5) You do not have to blow into it, which is part of it being discreet. Oh, one more thing: It doesn't make noise when evacuating the air out of it. No wonder, then, that I bought two when I had to replace the one my wife lost. I got mine from Amazon, for $18.95, which is a little bit less than from OPTP.com direct. It's a great product and I heartily recommend it.

Don't buy these. I really like these lumbar supports and they are great as long as the don't spring a leak. A leak in a self inflating support means it inflates to its full size and stays there unless used for an extended time period. This is very inconvenient in particular when traveling (over inflated in a computer bag is a bad thing) and when trying to use for short periods in a car. I have bought 6 of these and they will not replace them due to them being 6 months old (30 day warranty). I won't be re-buying from them as they are not cheap and not reliable. On to a better supplier.

At first, this product worked well and provided great back support. It was not too aggressive like some other back supports. It also was firmer than other back supports due to it being inflatable. In fact, that makes the firmness adjustable, which is a nice feature. I owned two of those over something like three months, and each one developed a leak after some time. I can only guess that it has something to do with the glue being used to hold the two halves together. It seems like something manufacturing could and should fix. I would hope it would last at least a year.

This a nice self inflating lumbar pillow. Every bit as nice as my thermarest for a much lower price. I am a side sleeper with chronic low back pain and I use this under my waist while sleeping, to support my spine. It is also great for travel. You can use it for lumbar support while traveling and it rolls up very small for stowing in suitcase or backpack.

Perfect because you can adjust it to your preference of inflation/ size . Perfect for travelling but also for bringing along in the car etc

Very comfortable, great product. Highly recommend it. Love it. And very good customer support too. Genuinely nothing bad to say about it, only good.

Excellent product while it lasted. Unfortunately, sprung a very slight leak and as a result......unusable. Perhaps this is a generic problem with all inflatable pillows, but I did expect superior quality from OPTP (Dr. McKenzie's book was instrumental in helping with my recovery in 2012; still going strong!)

Very helpful for my back! A great support that goes with you anywhere! I use it mostly in the car. I expect to bring it on the plane too.

Has saved my back numerous times. Stores away compactly. Win.