Archive for the ‘lumbar support’ Category

BackSac Molded Back Support Review

The Back Sac molded back support system is the first of its kind, with an original design unlike any other lumbar support product on the market. A highly affordable back pain solution that is adaptable for both home or office usage.

The Back Sac is designed to fill the gap between your low back and a chair, or surface you are sitting on. It also fills the curve in your neck while lying down or reclining. The design is absolutely unique compared to other back support cushions. Most support cushions are made to fill the spinal curves by molding to the average person’s neck or low back curve. The Back Sac is one of the first products to acknowledge that your spinal curves are probably not average.

The Back Sac uses an air bladder that intentionally contains a larger potential volume than the area it needs to support. A small amount of air, relative to the potential volume is blown into the air bladder. The air can then travel into whatever space needs to be filled or supported.

What we thought:

Easy to use and effective. When I received my Back Sac in the mail I was anxious to test it out as I am with most back support products because I suffer from upper back pain from sitting for multiple hours on a daily basis. I have come to find that a lot of back support products do not provide me with the amount of support I need, or they simply do not fit in the curvature of my neck. After using the Back Sac for just one day I could already feel the difference it made on my body and I was already experiencing minimal upper back pain. I now have to have my Back Sac with me whenever I am sitting down and working because if I do not have it the same pain returns. I’m happy to report it has been two weeks since I first started using the Back Sac at work and I have not experienced any back pain since.

The Bad:

Usually for most of my reviews I can find a way to conjure up a few negative qualities of the product, however with the Back Sac I can only think of one minor setback that keeps me from saying its design is flawless. The only problem I can find with the Back Sac is that it does not allow for much movement; if you get up to move around, lean forward to type, or take a quick break to stretch you will need to reposition it again.

The Good:

The Back Sac is very affordable and conveniently priced at $19.95 to fit into everyone’s budget. The Back Sac is also very reasonably priced compared to other back support products sold elsewhere which can cost up to $100 for full back support. Not only is the price point favorable, but the amount of back support you will receive is unbeatable. Its unique design will have your back feeling healthier and happier from the moment you begin using the Back Sac support. At its ultra light weight of less than a pound, the Back Sac is also easily transportable and can be taken wherever it is needed including for use at work, home, or while traveling. It can also be easily deflated(the Back Sac only takes 3 breaths to inflate!) making it even more compact than it already is.

Grade:

5/5 Chairs

Overall, the Back Sac is a great investment, with the number of ways and the different capacities this support can be used in; it would be beneficial for anyone to own one or even multiples! The Back Sac is also great for people of any age from kids using it as a pillow for reading, to teens using it as a support while lying on the couch, to young adults using it as an exercise ball, and of course for adults as a back support for their office chair.

To purchase your own Back Sac molded back support click here!

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Chairs for Lower Back Pain

The lower back is the connection between the upper and lower body and bears most of the body’s weight. With such a burden to bear the lower back can easily be injured and feel strained, especially without proper support and regular exercise. Lower back pain is often caused by strain, injury, or overuse. This can occur when lifting something that is too heavy, getting jolted in a car accident, playing sports, or simply by sitting for multiple hours a day in an office chair that has no lower back support. Aging may also play a part in developing lower back pain; bones and muscles lose strength with age thus leading to an increased risk of injury. The good news about lower back pain is that most cases will go away within a few weeks with some basic self-care. This can include sitting in an office chair that provides good lumbar support and is properly adjusted to meet the needs of the user.

Not all office chairs come with the necessary support to help eliminate and relieve lower back pain, so it is essential to look for the qualities that make a chair “back friendly”. There are numerous different chair designs that will provide lumbar support, some more basic than others. To start, the simplest kind of back support is a “S” shape design back rest. The importance of the “S” shape is that it mimics the actual shape of the spine, molding your spine into proper anatomical alignment. This benefit can not be achieved in “L” shaped chairs that have flat backs and work the other way around, forcing you to fit your back to the shape of the chair.

A chair with a “S” shape curve can be beneficial but can also work against you if not properly aligned with your spine. If an office chair comes with an “S” shape back rest that is not adjustable, shorter or taller users may not benefit from having the back support positioned on the correct parts of their spine. The next thing you should look for in an office chair after finding one with an “S” shape back is a ratchet back feature. This will allow you to easily move your backrest up or down with a simple knob or lever, allowing you to position the back exactly where you need the support. Not everyone is able to fit into one generic mold, which is why having a chair with adjustable features such as an adjustable back height can be advantageous.

Adjustable Lumbar Support

Another good feature some desk chairs possess is an adjustable lumbar support built into the back rest. If a chair does not have a ratchet back function, an adjustable lumbar support can make up for this and can even be more favorable in some opinions. Most adjustable lumbar supports allow the user to move the support up and down according to where they need it to rest on their lumbar region. More advanced lumbar supports allow for adjustment in and out in addition to movement up and down, allowing the user to determine the amount of pressure needed.

Perhaps the most advanced lumbar support system of all is the self-adjusting lumbar support. This unique support system self positions and moves with the user no matter which position they are sitting in. For example, in almost any chair if the user is leaning forward typing they will have any support on their lower back leading to aches and pains. With self-adjusting support, the lower back support is independent therefor allowing it to move with you whether leaning forward to type or sitting back to relax. This precise support provides exacting comfort and a more comfortable sitting experience.

There are many other different back support options available for office chairs, ranging in price and effectiveness. Some of the most advanced office chairs allow for exact placement of pressure along every spot of the vertebrae allowing for a fully customizable sitting experience, great for chronic back pain sufferers. For those with mild back pain, simply having an “S” shape back rest may suffice. The most important factor in achieving lower back pain relief with the help of an office chair is straightforward, having a chair that is going to provide you with the necessary support for your lumbar region. If you will be spending most of your day sitting might as well have a desk chair that is going to provide relief rather than strain.

To view our complete catalog of chairs for lower back pain please click here.

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Why Own a Back Support Pillow?

Lower Backrest

More than half of Americans live with chronic or recurring pain, most of whom say this interferes with their regular activities, lifestyle, mood, relationships, and work productivity. Six out of 10 of those who suffer from pain say that their pain is moderate or worse, and for 2 out of 10 it was considered to be severe. Interestingly enough,  1 out of 4 people who suffer from pain say that their last pain experience was with back pain. Back pain was the number one cause of pain among those surveyed, and peaked with men especially among between the ages 30-49. Sampling, data collection and tabulation for this poll were done by TNS Global. With such a large number of pain sufferers in the United States, many are seeking out ways to relieve, eliminate, or at least alleviate their pain to make their lives more comfortable and enjoyable. Getting back pain relief can be expensive with the never ending medical bills adding up and expensive furniture on the market that most simply can not afford. If continuous trips to the chiropractor are not feasible for your budget, consider investing in a back support pillow to help alleviate your back pain.

Deluxe Molded Lumbar Support

The majority of us spend the greater portion of our work days sitting, whether it is the commute to get to work or the long hours of working in an office chair. If your desk chair or car seat is not providing you with full back support, aches and pains are sure to occur, especially if you are sitting for hours at a time. A properly maintained posture can help relieve and prevent back discomfort. While this concept may seem simple enough, after sitting for hours at a time it is easy to forget to have proper posture and eventually you may find yourself slouching over. Many back posture issues are created when sitting in a slumped position where your spine is not properly aligned. Back support pillows allow you to rest the spine in a position that conforms to the natural spine curvature while providing the support necessary to relieve pain. Their orthopedic design helps reduce back fatigue while sitting or driving.

Full Backrest

Back support pillows come in all different shapes, sizes, and features but all have one common goal in their design: providing back pain relief. Lumbar support pillows are designed to replicate the S shape of your spine and fit right in that S curvature to provide lower back support where most chair and car seat backs do not. There are also full backrests which envelope the entire back and spine, providing both lumbar support and upper back/neck support for moderate cases of back pain. Not only do back support pillows provide the supreme support, but they are a much more viable option for those looking to save money. Most range between $25 for smaller lumbar pillows up to $100 for higher end full back pillows, a more economical approach to take as opposed to purchasing a new ergonomic office chair. In addition to savings and support, back pillows also are easily transportable with their light weight allowing for use when needed whether you are in your car or sitting in your desk chair at work.

Whether you have moderate back pain or just looking for a little extra relief on your spine, a back support pillow is a considerable option to keep in mind. For the best  and largest selection of back support pillows online please visit Sitbetter.com.

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Active Vs. Passive Lumbar Support » Finding the Right Support for Your back

Style, look, feel, comfort, features, price, durability, and functions. These are all common factors a person would seek out and research when deciding on a new office chair purchase. While all the aforementioned factors are of great importance in the decision making process, perhaps the feature that should be most sought after most is the amount of support a chair is going to give you, especially when it comes to lumbar support. The lumbar region of the back, or more simply stated the lower back, is one of the most essential parts of your body that needs to be properly supported while seating in order to avoid long term health effects that can make working and sitting a real pain (literally). With that being said, it is important to be educated in the types of lumbar support offered in order to find the best kind of support for you and your body.

Active Lumbar Support

When analyzing the importance of lumbar support, it is important to first explain the importance of adopting the correct sitting position, an often overlooked but common contributing factor to back problems. Sitting right is simple, although it may seem like a chore at first always trying to remember to sit correctly. The lower back below the belt line must be as far back as possible, thus ensuring the lumbar gets the support and the back is maintained in a straight position. Lumbar support and correct sitting posture together, not individually, will give you good ergonomic comfort.

To illustrate, a good point of reference is statistics provided by the British Society for Rheumatology in a study conducted to understand the mechanics of the lumbar disc. When compared to the pressure on the lumbar disc in the standing position, unsupported sitting, which can be caused by the improper position or lack of lumbar support or both, increases the load by 40% on the disc. (On top of that, reclining, comparatively, reduces the strain by 70%).

Passive Lumbar Support

There are two different kinds of lumbar supports which can be found on any ergonomically correct chair; active and passive. The difference between the two, simply put, is that passive is usually not adjustable, but built into the frame of the chair, while active is a standalone lumbar support that can be adjusted in a multitude of ways. While most would be quick to judge and assume active lumbar support is the way to go, this is not necessarily true. Passive lumbar can achieve the same amount of support as fully active if the chair has other ergonomic elements built in to adjust the chair such as a ratchet back or seat slider, for example. However, if these elements are not present, then an active lumbar support is the winner.

Adjust-ability is important when talking about lumbar, speaking in terms of an active support. While adjust-ability up and down is crucial because you can fit it to where your lumbar is, adjust-ability in and out is just as important, in that it regulates the pressure applied to your lumbar; the support strength, if you will. Four-way adjust-ability allows for the user to customize their office chair’s lumbar support for their personal needs. Usually, four-way lumbar is a premium feature, but not one that should be overlooked.

Adjust-ability in passive lumbar support is rare, being as it is built into the frame of a chair, but certain office chairs incorporating passive support also include a seat slider and ratchet back, to allow for adjust-ability. Depending on your back problems, and on the amount of time you sit in your chair during the day, the support needed is a personal issue. Most chairs have built in passive lumbar, but if you feel stress on your back with that format, then try an active support for a while, or vice versa.

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How to Use an Office Chair

Most would think it is common sense when talking about the subject of how to sit in an office chair considering most of us sit in one for hours on end everyday. While office chairs certainly are easy to use with a little bit of knowledge, most of us are not familiar with how to properly adjust and sit in our chairs in order to avoid pain and injury. When even starting to consider purchasing an office chair it is important to pick out a chair that will allow you to adjust your body and posture to conform ergonomically to you. An ergonomic chair will come with adjustable seat height, back/lumbar adjustments, armrest adjustments, and a tilt lock. While most are not familiar with chair adjustments it is essential to learn about your chair and become properly educated on how to use it before using it just as you would for say a car or bike. However, an office chair will not take nearly as long to figure out as either of the aforementioned.

When sitting in an office chair the first area of the chair to focus on is the part you sit on all day, the seat. With your back against the backrest, the seat should support most of the length of your thighs without applying pressure to the back of your knees.  Waterfall seats (which most chairs now come with) are ideal for allowing you to sit comfortably and properly. Your seat height should be set so that your thighs are approximately parallel to the ground when your heels are firmly planted on the ground. If it is not possible to have your feet flat on the ground because your work station is too high and not adjustable, a footrest is a good addition to keep your feet flat and body in proper posture. Movement throughout the day is encouraged, so do not feel as if you always need your feet to be planted on the ground. There is generally a lever on the right side if not the left that when pulled up allows you to move either up if your taller or down if you are of shorter stature. A tip for adjustment is to start with your seat at its highest and lower it gradually until it is at a comfortable height. as you cannot usually raise your seat while you are sitting in it.

The backrest of a chair is an important feature, especially if you suffer from mild to severe back pain. A chair that comes with adjustable lumbar support is recommended for those that suffer from back pain. If your backrest does come with built-in lumbar support, its height should be such that you feel firm support over the lumbar curve of your lower back. Chairs that are S shaped also provide natural back support that will fit to the natural curvature of your spine. If your chair lacks lumbar support, adding a lumbar cushion or lumbar pillow can help aid your back. Lumbar support products should only be added if your seat has sufficient depth in order to avoid pushing yourself up to far that your upper legs are not properly supported. While sitting in your chair, it is usually easier to lower the backrest than raise it. So begin with the back rest as high as it goes, then sit in your chair and gradually lower the backrest until it fits comfortably.

Another feature that is crucial for a good chair to have is adjustable armrests. Most chairs that have adjustable armrests can easily be lowered or raised by pushing a button in and manually pulling the armrests up or pushing them down. Armrests have to be at the right height for your body, if they are too high it will force you to position your arms awkwardly. If armrests are too long you might find yourself to be slouching or sitting in an awkward position which might start to cause a back ache. While typing, your arms should be able to swing freely. Armrests should be positioned about half an inch below your elbows, with your elbows hanging comfortably at your side. If your arms are resting on the armrest while you are typing, you will be inhibiting the normal arm movement which will cause extra strain on your fingers and their supporting structures.

The backrest angle should be set so that you feel the backrest while you are in your preferred sitting position. You should not have to lean back to feel it, nor should it force you farther forward when you are sitting. Your back rest angle should allow, however, to move forward and backward with added pressure while still providing you with lumbar/back support. Usually, underneath your chair there is a knob that allows you to adjust the backrest to the amount of pressure you want. After finding that perfect spot make sure to lock your backrest angle to ensure it stays in place. Usually by pulling the lever up you can unlock the back angle and pushing down locks it into place.

It is important to remember that not all chairs are built the same, meaning that some levers and knobs may be in different places or may be used differently depending on the chair. Also, some chairs may not come with all the features mentioned above and may only possess one or two. What is the key takeaway is take some time to get to know your chair and how to use it when purchasing a chair or even if you already have an office chair you like. In the long run, it can save you from hours, days, or years of suffering from common work related injuries that occur from not sitting properly. If you are not happy with your current chair and its features, look into a chair that has all the adjustments mentioned in order to ensure that it is ergonomically correct.

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