A back support, in particular a spine supporting device, for supporting the spine of a user, the back support comprising upper and lower support members which are in use fixed to upper and lower regions of the body of the user, and a mechanical spine which interconnects the upper and lower support members, such as to transmit a load from the upper support member to the lower support member, with the lower support member being anchored to the user such as to bear the transmitted load, and thereby relieve the spine of the user of that load.