In prone, which pillow placement reduces lumbar extension stress?

• A. Under knees: protect knee
• B. Under pelvis: prevents excessive lumbar lordosis
• C. Under chest: reduces lumbar extension stress
• D. Small pillow under head

Answer: (C)

In prone, the goal is to minimize the bending in the lower back caused by gravity and body weight. Elevating the chest with a pillow changes how the trunk rests, letting the abdomen sit toward the surface and encouraging the pelvis to assume a more neutral or less extended position. This reduces the lumbar lordosis and the associated extension stress on the lower back.

Other placements don’t affect the lumbar region as directly. A pillow under the knees can help by altering pelvic tilt somewhat, but its effect on reducing lumbar extension isn’t as targeted. A pillow under the pelvis might raise the lower spine and could maintain or worsen extension depending on height. A small pillow under the head mostly influences neck alignment, not the lumbar region.

So, placing a pillow under the chest best reduces lumbar extension stress in prone.