Like anything that is air-sealed, changes in pressure—even atmospheric pressure—can make it susceptible to bursting. To prevent rapid changes in cabin air pressure from damaging your lumbar pillow during flights, be sure to keep the valve open during takeoff and landing. Partially filling the pillow while in flight also provides a margin of safety as cabin pressure fluctuates.
If you use a lumbar pillow in your car, it's a good idea to deflate it each time you leave the vehicle, especially on warm or sunny days. The temperature inside a parked car can rise significantly, causing the pillow to expand and potentially burst. Extreme heat can also weaken the seams, so we recommend not leaving the pillow in your car if high temperatures are expected during the day.