Why is sitting painful?
If sitting creates back discomfort, you have a highly sensitized back, or tissue damage, or both. Avoiding this pain trigger will reduce the pain sensitivity. Avoidance of the pain triggers is part of the documented strategy to de-sensitize back pain throughout the day as evidenced in Back Mechanic.
Sitting causes the low back to flex which is normally not an issue. But modern life has increased sitting time at work, on the road, and at home. Soon sitting at the computer becomes uncomfortable. We call this the flexion intolerant back. Specific low back tissues become stressed and sensitized, in particular the spine discs and ligaments. Sitting upright to restore the natural curves to the spine relieves this stress. But it “costs” in terms of muscle work resulting in those muscles to tire and allow the spine to slouch. This increases disc and ligament stress. Reducing stresses in the back associated with sitting not only makes sitting more comfortable, but it helps build more capacity for pain-free movement throughout the day.
The objective is make sitting a dynamic activity with frequent posture change and support the natural curve of the low back.
Reduce the pain. Make sitting a dynamic task.
The ideal sitting posture is one that continually changes. The EmbraceAIR and LumbAIR dynamic sitting supports (shown below) use the latest science to ensure minimal stress on the low back tissues, and to provide for posture change. Using an inflatable bladder the user increases or decreases the lumbar support. This measurably reduces stress. The inflation/deflation pump facilitates easy pressure change to create regular posture change. (Evidence and explanations are in Dr. McGill’s textbooks). Static back rests simply cannot provide these advantages.
Even with the dynamic sitting supports, those who have back pain exacerbated from sitting generally are able to reduce disc annulus stresses with the following exercise (shown in picture, source: Back Mechanic ). Stand up out of the chair, reach for the ceiling, then push for the ceiling with the hands, then fully and deeply inhale. This process should take about half a minute. Gentle and progressive extension of the lumbar spine is achieved dispelling the accumulated stresses.
Will the supports help you? – Take the test
Take the test to see if the sitting support is for you: Sit in a chair with a firm seat pan and back rest. Place your hands between your low back and the back of the chair. Adjust your hands to assess if pain is reduced and comfort has increased. If comfort is increased then the adjustable supports will help you.
For use at work, in the car, watching TV...
The LumbAir was designed to be portable for use at work, in the car, and on airplanes. In fact we did a study of airline seats noting the absence of lumbar support, and how the LumbAir measurably reduces spinal disc stress. The EmbraceAir was designed to provide more support for watching TV, and in helping those with shorter thighs to achieve more comfort and support. The pneumatic bladder support is strategically adjusted within the frame to fit all body types.
Many people enjoy the pain relief provided by the LumbAIR when sitting. Some who have had spine surgery, or who have a specific region of pain sensitivity, have requested us to redesign the LumbAIR to remove pressure from the sensitive scar site. The solution is the new “LumbAIR PS” where the inflatable support was re-designed to take pressure from the midline of the back. After several prototypes and trials with patients we are able to offer this proven solution.
Using the LumbAIR
Place the LumbAIR in your low back. Begin by placing the bottom of the support at the top of your “crack” (“Gluteal fold” in medical terms). Then adjust the support a few centimetres up and down to optimize comfort. Now adjust the amount of support with the inflation bulb adding and subtracting air until optimal comfort is achieved.
PropAIR ~ Increasing back comfort in bed
Recently, this same air bladder technology has been shown to reduce disc stress while sleeping. This resulted in the “PropAIR sleeper.”
Lying on the back causes the low back to flatten to the mattress causing spine flexion. Many people have flexion-triggered pain making back sleeping painful. Pain will increase your sensitivity to more pain during the day – eliminating pain while lying will help wind down your pain sensitivity.
Take the test: To assess whether the PropAIR will help you try this. Place the hands palms down under the low back while lying. If comfort is increased, then the support provided by the PropAIR will enhance your sleeping comfort. Some type of back pain will not be helped with the PropAIR for example certain conditions of stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
Others will find relief while side lying by placing the PropAIR between the ribcage and hip to avoid painful side bending.
The optimal level of support is tuned to any mattress, or spine shape, using the hand activated air pump. The plush velour material against the person and the silk material interface with the bed sheets facilitates easy sliding and turning.