Abstract: A pad for use on top of conventional mattresses, cushions and the like is described which comprises a plurality of ribs, separated by troughs, the pad being made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness between 75 and 95, the overall size of the pad being adequate to provide back support for the user when the pad is arranged with the ribs in a direction perpendicular to the spinal cord of the user and also providing flexibility in the longitudinal direction conforming readily to the natural curve of the spine, but very supportive in the direction perpendicular to the spine owing to the relative rigidity of its cross-sectional structural configuration. The pad may have a corrugated structure or the ribs may be provided by a plurality of structures arranged in series which may be hollow or solid, square or rectangular. The structures may also have an inverted L-shape or a T-shape.