An orthopedic back support for displacing a person's weight from the lower area of the spine by providing support for the upper torso and for use with a chair or seat having a seat base and a seat back. A flexible fabric cross piece is connected between vertical members to provide back support. The cross piece may include vertical channels or sleeves at opposite sides to receive and support the vertical members. A flexible strap is connected to the fabric or the vertical members and adapted to be positioned behind a seat or a head rest. The entire unit is portable or may be fabricated as part of a seat.