The Story Behind Back-A-Rest

The Story Behind Back-A-Rest

"Hello, my name is Richard Dallaire, and I'm the inventor and developer of Back-A-Rest -- a new and innovative solution for lower back pain relief. After years of struggling with my own back issues, I set out to create something that  truly works. This is my story."

I've spent most of my life -- over three and a half decades -- working in the steel industry as a Tool & Die Maker / Machinist. Years of heavy lifting, bending, and long days on my feet, often 8 to 12 hours at a time, took a serious toll on my lower back.

Like so many others, I began waking up stiff and sore every morning, struggling just to get moving. And by the end of the day? Let's just say my lower back felt "not good."

At some point, I started instinctively placing my fist and forearm behind my lower back -- whether I was sitting in a chair, lying on the couch, or resting in bed. I discovered that this position gave me a noticeable stretch and some relief. It felt good.

But as you can imagine, that position wasn't sustainable. Within minutes, my arm would fall asleep and start to tingle, and I'd have to move. The relief was real -- but short-lived.

That's when the idea hit me:

What if I could recreate the effect of my fist and forearm -- but in a way that actually worked and lasted?

I didn't have access to fancy labs or high-tech equipment -- but I did have the skills and determination to figure it out myself. I started laminating pieces of foam flooring into rectangular blocks...

It wasn't easy. I'd carve, then test it by laying on it. Then carve again. Then test again.

I made cardboard templates to help keep the shape symmetrical, using my own back as the test subject. Bit by bit, I fine-tuned the contours -- raising here, lowering there -- until I finally had something that felt just right.

The Result?

A shape that cradled my lower back perfectly, providing that same lifting, arching stretch I used to get from my fist and forearm -- but without the numbness, discomfort, or time limit.

The final shape of Back-A-Rest wasn't just about comfort -- it was about function under pressure.

Although it starts with a flat bottom, Back-A-rest was carefully designed to flex and deform under body weight. I chose  foam for the prototype for many reasons. Foam has a unique ability to compress, flex, and return to form. I knew that once someone lay on it, the material would bend, stretch, and form a new shape under load -- one that would cradle the lumbar spine and support the muscles just right.

This behavior was baked into the design from day one.

The center of the device is thicker, denser, and wider, providing strong support directly under the lower spine. As you move outward toward the left and right ends, the foam becomes gradually thinner and more flexible, allowing those ends to rise slightly under pressure, forming what I now call the "smile effect."

The shape, flexibility, and placement all work together to create the LADS system -- Lifting, Arching, Decompressive Stretching. And because the center section is wider, Back-A-Rest can be placed lower down the spine, near the sweet spot just above the tailbone, while still providing full lumbar support farther up.

It's not just about shape. It's about geometry, material behavior, and biomechanics -- all coming together in one simple, durable, effective device.

Back-A-Rest: Built for Me, Meant for Everyone

At first, Back-A-Rest was just something I made for myself -- something to help me get through the day with a little less pain, and to get through the night with a little more comfort. But over time, I started to realize...

This wasn't just working for me. It was working, period.

It didn't wear out. It didn't flatten. It didn't stop being effective.

It became a regular part of my day -- just like brushing my teeth or putting on my work boots. And I thought, if this helps me this much, how many other people are out there dealing with the same pain?

People who work on their feet. People who sit at a desk all day. People who've been told, "well, that's just what happens when you get older."

That's when I knew -- Back-A-Rest had to be more than just my personal fix. It needed to become a product. Something real. Something people could buy, use, and depend on -- without needing to book an appointment, spend a fortune, or risk side effects.

A Solution I Use Every Day

I've been using my Back-A-Rest prototype for over five years now, and I can honestly say -- it's done wonders for my lower back. It's not a cure, and it's not magic. But it works. And it's become a trusted part of my daily routine.

I built this for myself -- but I'm sharing it with you, because I know I'm not alone. Back pain doesn't care who you are or what you do -- it finds a way to make life much harder.

That's why I created Back-A-Rest -- a simple, durable, affordable solution that's built to last and designed to help. If you're tired of living with that same daily ache, and you've tried everything else, I invite you to give it a try. You will not regret it!

No batteries. No electronics. No straps. No noise. And most of all, no gimmicks. Just a smart design, made by someone who knows what it's like to wake up stiff and sore -- and wants to help others feel better.

Back-A-Rest won't cure your back pain. But it will certainly help you. And sometimes, that's all it takes to change your day -- or even your life.

-- Richard Dallaire --

Inventor / Tool & Die Maker / Guy with a Bad Back Who Finally Got Relief