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Get in Shape for the New Year!

By Relax The Back on January 4, 2012
This entry is filed under Prevention, Products and tagged exercise.

When it comes to losing a few pounds in the New Year, sports are a great way to have fun and stay fit. But don’t let your New Year’s resolutions land you in the doctor’s office. To protect your joints and muscles, follow the below guidelines before exercising or heading out to the ball field.

Stretch – Give yourself a good 10-15 minutes of proper stretching before getting in the game. For the back, try extension stretches with a Fitness Ball or Lumbar Extender to loosen up your muscles. Time on a Mastercare Inversion Table is also an excellent way to stretch your upper and lower back while increasing blood flow to your spinal discs. For the lower body, stretch your quadriceps, calves, hamstrings, and piriformis (hips) to help prevent injury.
Hydrate- Your body, like any other machine, needs fuel. Try water, sports drinks, or various flavored and fortified waters to maintain a proper fluid intake. One word of caution – the sweeter the drink, the more it should be consumed in moderation. But whatever your preference, staying adequately hydrated before, during, and after exercising will help stave off soreness and/or injury.
Wear protective gear- Helmets, mouthpieces, goggles, face guards – use the appropriate protective gear for your sport or activity. Although equipment like this does not guarantee freedom from injury, it can go a long way to protect your life and limbs.

The next time you exercise or enjoy some healthy competition, take care to follow the above guidelines. They can help keep you on the field and out of the infirmary.

Review: Tempur-Pedic RhapsodyBed

By Brendan on October 28, 2011
This entry is filed under Product Reviews, Products, Sleep, Tempur-Pedic Reviews and tagged bed, mattress, pillow, sleep, tempur-pedic, tempurpedic.

We recently bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress for our master bedroom. We replaced our traditional, coil mattress, which we had for 10 years. Before purchasing one, we tried Tempur-Pedic’s entire line at our local Relax The Back. We went up and down the row of mattresses, comparing each one’s characteristics. At the end of day, we chose The RhapsodyBed by Tempur-Pedic, known as one of the firmer mattresses by the Swedish company.After a month, we can say that it was an excellent decision.

The difference between sleeping on a traditional coil mattress and sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic mattress is dramatic. The Tempu-Pedic RhapsodyBed cradles every contour of my frame. Instead of tossing and turning to get comfortable, the bed conforms to me. My lumbar, shoulders, and back are fully supported, but without the pressure points. After a while you wonder how you slept on anything else.

The most surprising thing we’ve noticed is that we wake up in the same position we went to sleep. Because of the Rhapsody’s contouring qualities, there’s a lot less fumbling around, trying to find a comfortable position.

The Rhapsody, like all Tempur-Pedic mattresses, is temperature sensitive, so you reach full comfort after it’s absorbed some of your body heat. It takes a little getting used to. When you’ve slept on a traditional coil mattress your entire life, making the switch to a high-quality, ergonomically friendly mattress can be a little jarring. But in a good way, like switching from bologna to filet mignon. When we lie down on the Rhapsody, we can feel the difference, as the mattress conforms to our bodies.

To complete the experience, we also purchased a pair of Tempur-Pedic’s ClassicPillows. As someone who usually needs 2-3 pillows to get comfortable, it was a bit of adjustment sleeping on it. Over the last few weeks however, I have gradually stopped using the other pillows. It comes as a surprise to me, but the ClassicPillow provides so much support for my neck and head that I no longer feel it is necessary to sleep on more than one pillow.

Taken together, these features create a sleep experience that leaves us fully refreshed, reassuring us every morning that we made the right purchase.

Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager

By Relax The Back on July 26, 2011
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Product Reviews, Products and tagged massage product, neck, shoulder. | 1 Comment

If you have tired muscles, back pain, or pain from injuries, then the Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager may be right for you. It provides a wealth of benefits, with a body-hugging design that allows for a comfortable massage.

After a hard day at work, or an intense workout, the flexible design of the Epulse can relieve aches in your neck, shoulders, thighs or almost anywhere you need relief with up to 20 pre-programmed rhythmic massages. This kind of massage can help improve blood circulation and provide a deep, penetrating muscle massage. Part of what makes the Epulse so unique is its drum-massage technology, which can provide a deeper, more-targeted massage than traditional handheld massagers.

The Epulse also offers tapping massage and shoulder massage with a heating function to increase its effectiveness. And, for those of you who come away from massages sometimes a little too sore, don’t worry. The Epulse comes with a built-in eight-minute timer, so you can get a healthy massage without overdoing it.

One of its chief benefits, though, is its convenience. Unlike many massagers, the Epulse is a breeze to use. It features a one-touch control panel so you can program the exact kind of massage you need. Whether you need to unwind, rejuvenate, or recover from an injury, the Epulse can be programmed to meet your needs.

Some of the many other benefits of massage include:

Reduce neck & lower back pain
Increased flexibility
Reduce spasms and cramping
Stimulation of the immune system
Relieve migraine pain

The Epulse provides benefits like these that can have you feeling your best in no time. In fact, many proponents of the Epulse have reported a greater sense of calm, stress-reduction, and overall well being. If you need a good neck and shoulder massage, then be sure to give the Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager a try.

Is Sitting All Day Killing You?

By Relax The Back on May 10, 2011
This entry is filed under Back Pain, Conditions, Prevention, Products and tagged back pain, Infographic, Sitting is Killing You, Stand Up Desk.

If you have back problems, or a hard time sitting for prolonged periods at work, then a Stand Up Desk may be the answer. If you’ve been waiting for just the right infographic to come along and persuade you to ditch your desk, check this out…

REVIEW: Human Touch Perfect Chair – PC6

By bobby on May 8, 2011
This entry is filed under Product Reviews, Products and tagged Human Touch, Neutral Posture, Perfect Chair, Zero Gravity.

The Human Touch Perfect Chair is boldly named. A chair that’s “perfect”? It sounds as trite as “100% satisfaction guaranteed” or “new and improved.” But, after a week of actually sitting in one, I can honestly say there’s something to it.

The Perfect Chair is in a category we refer to as zero gravity chairs. They got that name because they operate on ergonomic principles developed by NASA. The aerospace scientists were looking for ways to prevent their astronauts from being crushed by gravity during shuttle launch. In the traditional upright sitting position, the forces of gravity are concentrated on the spine, creating enormous pressure.

To counteract this, the scientists developed the “zero gravity position,” in which the feet are raised above the spine, allowing gravity to be dispersed more evenly throughout the body. This reduces pressure points and is why zero gravity chairs offer a deeper, more relaxing kind of comfort.

When you sit in one, you can feel the difference. The old, familiar feeling of sitting in a regular chair, with hips and spine at an uncomfortable 90 degree angle, is completely absent. Instead, in the zero gravity position, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body. Your circulation flows with gravity instead of against it. You will also notice that the chair’s back is slanted slightly away from the seat, which encourages an open thigh-torso angle. Positioning the pelvis as well as aligning and stabilizing the lumbar spine is important to establish “neutral posture,” which is the body’s most natural position. The perfect chair achieves this effortlessly, insuring maximum comfort and pain relief.

The benefit of “neutral posture” is that it creates a relaxed, dreamy feeling that, for me at least, induces sleep in a matter of minutes. The reduced pressure on your back, shoulders, neck, and spine means your muscles don’t have to work as hard supporting your body. Again, this “neutral posture” position makes it easier for your body to relax, reducing strain and fatigue.

Perfect chairs have a nontraditional design. They don’t look like regular chairs, with sleek angles, curving along the chair and leg rest. Another difference is that they are made of 100% renewable, plantation grown wood from the Para Rubber tree. Although they have a nontraditional design, zero gravity chairs are designed for superior comfort.

You may also notice that, in comparison to other chairs, they have less padding. The reason for this is that they don’t need it. Padding does not always equal comfort. Zero gravity chairs do not need a foot of cushioned material because they put the body in its most natural, “neutral” posture.

They are built to conform to the body, rather than the other way around.

Proper Sleep Positions

By bobby on May 6, 2011
This entry is filed under Ask The Experts, Conditions, Prevention, Products, Sleep.

It is estimated that the average American sleeps 1/3 of their total lifetime. For someone who is 75 years of age, this is a total of 25 years spent sleeping! Considering this huge percentage of our lives spent sleeping, it is crucial to understand why the way in which we sleep is so important.

Many people are concerned with their posture while they are awake and living their lives, but have no idea that the way they sleep can be having negative effects on their posture and overall health as well. The following are the proper sleeping positions for the stomach, side and back sleeper.

First, we’ll take a look at stomach sleepers. I will go ahead and say that if you are a stomach sleeper, I would strongly recommend you try to train yourself to sleep in a different way as sleeping on your stomach puts an enormous amount of negative pressure on your cervical spine (your neck). Think about having your neck turned one way or the other for 8 hours at a time, this is essentially what is happening when you sleep in this position. However, if this is the only way you can sleep, I recommend a pillow that does not have a lot of resistance or density to it, for example a buckwheat pillow.

Next, let’s move on to side sleepers. If you are a side sleeper, there are two key things that you should consider. The first being support for your neck and head and the other being support for your pelvis. Let’s start with the neck and head support. The ideal side sleeper pillow accomplishes two things: 1) it supports the cervical spine in a neutral position; and 2) it supports the musculature between the neck and shoulder on the side you are laying. There are some companies that make pillows specifically for side sleepers, however it is important to have a qualified retailer or healthcare professional assess which size is right for you. The second thing to be aware of if you are a side sleeper is that you need some sort of support between your legs to keep your pelvis in neutral as well. Because of the biomechanics of our pelvis and lower extremities, when we lay on our sides without a support between our legs our pelvis becomes torqued due to the gap and gravity. This torsion can lead to severe back pain and unfortunately most people would never look to their sleeping posture as the culprit!

Lastly, let’s talk about back sleepers. This is by far the best way to sleep for a number of reasons, but perhaps the most important is that if you have the right pillow, it can actually be therapeutic for your cervical spine. Your cervical spine is designed to have an anterior curve, or lordosis, in it. Because of the way we sit at desks, in front of the TV and our posture in general, a large percentage of the population develops what is called anterior head carriage. Anterior head carriage is a result of a straightening of the cervical spine due to the repetitive load placed on it. This in turn, causes stress to be placed on your spinal cord and allows the degenerative process to begin. Many problems besides just general neck pain can be attributed to this straightening of the cervical spine. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this and sleeping on a good cervical pillow on your back is one of them. Cervical pillows are designed to gently reinforce the proper curve in your cervical spine while you are sleeping. Much like the side sleeping pillow I referred to earlier, it is a good idea to have someone qualified in sleeping posture assessment to evaluate and fit you with the proper sized cervical pillow.

In closing, I would like to reiterate the importance of taking steps (if you haven’t already) to improve the way in which you sleep. A number of problems can be prevented, alleviate or at the very least greatly reduced simply by making sure your body is supported correctly while you are sleeping.

Author
Kayla Smiley, D.C.
Performance Life Chiropractic & Wellness
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Phone: (405)286-1259

How to Choose a Tempur-Pedic Pillow: What’s Your Sleep "Personality"?

By Brendan on October 19, 2010
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Product Reviews, Products, Sleep, Tempur-Pedic Reviews.

If you want more sleep, try a pillow from Tempur-Pedic

Known for their mattresses, Tempur-Pedic offers a line of quality pillows for every sleep position. If you sleep mainly on your side, then you’ll want to try Tempur-Pedic’s SidePillow. This pillow’s unique shape was developed by doctors to encourage proper head and neck alignment. Because of its ergonomic friendliness, it promotes deep relaxation, for long-lasting pain relief. The SidePillow also helps prevent snoring by providing improved alignment for your neck, head, and shoulders, which opens up your airway. For best results, rest your head in the center of the pillow. This keeps your chin away from your chest, further opening up your airways.

For particularly loud snorers, your sleep partner will be so thankful.

The Body Pillow

The BodyPillow is another great one for side sleepers. This pillow is 48”, so it’s a little longer than most models. Its long design, however, provides support for the entire body, making it an ideal pillow for expectant mothers. The TEMPUR material also makes it easy to shape it to your unique body contours.

For Back Sleepers

The Rhapsody Pillow.

If you’re a back sleeper, you may want something a little more traditional. The Rhapsody Pillow comes in a conventional shape, with the same pressure-relieving material as the SidePillow. The Rhapsody cushions every contour of your neck, shoulders, and head with a super-conforming inner sleeve. If you have allergies, you can relax with this pillow under your head. It is allergen and dust mite resistant, with a washable cover.

If you have a stiff neck….

The NeckPillow, in particular, is recommended for those who need a more therapeutic sleep posture. The dual lobe design supports the curve of you head, neck

Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow

and shoulders for optimal spinal alignment. However, make sure you choose the proper pillow thickness based on your shoulder dimensions and sleeping position. Proper alignment and posture are absolutely essential for a good night’s rest, so if you’re interested in the NeckPillow, choose the proper pillow thickness according to height and width of your shoulders in your natural sleeping position.

Another pillow that can help relieve neck pain is the TEMPUR-Cloud. The Cloud is built for people who often wake up with a stiff neck or knotty shoulders. It’s an extra soft pillow that provides proper support for the head and neck. It’s designed to increase your relaxation and it got its name for a reason – after a few nights you’ll feel as if you’re sleeping on a cloud.

Designed to Fit Your Body

Part of what makes Tempur-Pedic pillows different is that they are designed for the human body. Their ergonomic friendliness can be especially beneficial if you have suffered an injury or have a chronic condition. In fact, their pillows are designed to complement their mattresses, from basic models such as the ClassicBed to the luxurious CelebrityBed. Whether you sleep on your side or your back, if you snore or have an injury, or if you just want to get a better night’s rest, Tempur-Pedic has a pillow for you.

If you would like to get fitted for a proper pillow, please visit your local Relax The Back store to receive a personal fitting by our staff who are trained in ergonomics, posture, and spinal disorders.

Relax The Back Employee Picks

By Brendan on September 16, 2010
This entry is filed under Product Reviews, Products.

Employees of Relax The Back pick their favorite ergonomic products.

Part of what makes Relax The Back a different kind of company is that we actually use the products ourselves. We pride ourselves on our customer service because WE are customers, too. Below are the favorite products of a few Relax The Back employees.

Ernest Benion, Jr., Sales and Training Manager
Foam Roller-I love the Foam Roller. The added intensity is perfect for me in the office. After sitting for long periods, I like using the foam roller on my back to help me feel rejuvenated and refreshed. I also love its versatility, as I can gently or aggressively massage any area of my body. I recommend using this $30 item at the office a few times per day. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel, and how much better your mental clarity will be!

SANYO Foot Massager

Betsy Rodriguez, Marketing Project Manager
Sanyo Foot Massager – As a participant in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I often think of the Sanyo Foot Massager during my training walks. I’ve tried many foot massagers over the years that were too hard on my feet, but I LOVE the Sanyo Foot Massager. I jokingly call it my boyfriend.

Robert McMillan, Chief Financial Officer
Human Touch 1650 Massage Chair – I have a Human Touch 1650 massage chair which I try to use every day. I am an avid tennis player but I broke my ankle twice when I was young and it can cause me some mobility problems. If I can get at least ½ hour on the massage chair after playing I am good to go for my next match.

Lifeform Mid Back Executive Chair

Matt Geer, Chief Creative Design Coordinator
Lifeform® Ultimate Mid Back Executive Office Chair – I sit in a Lifeform® Ultimate Mid Back Executive Office Chair at work and I must say, it’s done wonders for my back! Before coming to work here I had major back problems from sitting incorrectly in poorly-designed chairs all day. By switching to an ergonomic office chair all those back problems have cleared up. Not only that, but it’s the most comfortable office chair I’ve ever sat in.

Donnikah Y. Castillo, Customer Service Representative
Portable FIR Heat Back Wrap – The Portable Far Infrared Heat Back Wrap is one of my favorite products to use in the office. I get cold easily and this wrap is a great “warm up” for the day. The belt can be hidden under your clothing so no one can tell you’re wearing it! I love how it has a rechargeable battery so I can leave my desk as I please and I don’t have to worry about getting yanked by any cords. I just turn it on and I’m set for the next 2-3 hours.

Brendan Gill, E-Commerce Manager
Theracane – I love the Theracane, a lightweight, handheld massager. It’s hard to believe how many knots I had in my back before I started using it. I use the Theracane twice a day and it has made my neck and shoulders a lot less stiff. My range of motion is better, too. If you don’t have time for a massage, I recommend this $35 device. It provides a similar level of comfort, in as little as two minutes.

Contourside Travel Pillow

Mandy Stevens, Customer Service Supervisor
ContourSide Travel Pillow – A few years ago I received the ContourSide Travel Pillow for a Christmas gift, and I don’t think I have slept without it since. Before I started using the ContourSide Pillow I would wake up with all this tension in my neck from the lack of support I was getting from my traditional pillow. Now I wake up well rested and tension free. I have found that the support I get from this pillow is far above any other pillow I have ever slept on. So much so, that I take my pillow everywhere I go.

Jeff Dewane, Real Estate Manager
Back-A-Traction Inversion Table—I love the feeling when I finish a session on my inversion table. You can exercise, stretch, or just relax in an inverted position. The ability to lock in position at -30, -15 and 0 degrees gives you the extra sense of control. Every time I use it I few refreshed and renewed. I recommend you use just prior to going to bed to maximize the benefits of inversion therapy.

Mastercare Inversion Table

Bad Ergonomics – the iPad

By Brendan on September 2, 2010
This entry is filed under Product Reviews, Products. | 1 Comment

Cricket iPad and Laptop Stand

Ah, the joys of iPad ownership. Quick, convenient access to the web, email, work files, e-books, and more – all while drinking a latte at your local coffee shop. Still, there’s one thing to keep in mind before you have the iPad surgically attached to your body – although it is extremely useful, the iPad isn’t necessarily ergonomically friendly.

The iPad makes it difficult to view the screen without straining your eyes. If you’re typing while it’s in your lap, your eyes have to look down at an unnatural angle. You ever wonder why you see so many photos of people using the iPad while sitting down or with their legs crossed? It’s because, without any elevation, the device causes a 90-degree downward gaze, which causes neck and eye strain. In fact, if you hold it with your hands at any angle, eventually it will strain your arm and shoulders.

However, with a Cricket iPad and Laptop Stand, you can reduce the chance of repetitive stress injuries that comes with an iPad. The Cricket elevates the viewing screen and keyboard of your laptop or iPad to a customizable viewing angle

The Cricket makes it easy for you to view the screen, without straining your eyes or your muscles. The Cricket elevates up to 9 inches in height, so you can look comfortably at the computer screen. Remember, the correct viewing position should be at a slight downward angle of 15-20 degrees, with your screen directly in front of you.

A display screen that is too high or low – one in which you have to look up or down to view – can cause neck and shoulder strain over time. With the Cricket you can set it at an angle that won’t strain your eyes or muscles. The Cricket also improves air circulation, so your iPad can run cooler while you play the latest computer games or surf the web.

The iPad has taken the consumer-computing world by storm, but it doesn’t mean it’s ergonomically friendly. While new smaller computers and multi-media phones make our lives easier, they are increasing the possibility of awkward postures and increased eye strain. So, before you spend hours and hours with Apple’s latest technological wonder, make sure your workstation is set up for comfortable computing. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a stiff neck, tired eyes, or both.

Avoid Airline Fees – Bring Your Own Travel Pillow

By Brendan on August 20, 2010
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Products, Tempur-Pedic Reviews, Travel.

Wrap Around Neck Pillow from Relax The Back

Save money on airline travel by bringing your own pillow.

Airlines love to charge. Love it. Headphones, snacks, wifi service – even your luggage. Last year, airlines collected $7.8 billion in fees. It is any wonder consumers are getting fed up?

One way you can cut down on these nickel-and-dime charges is to bring your own travel pillow. It makes no sense to pay $6 for a pillow when you can bring your own. Besides the price, the pillows the airlines hand out are ill-suited for comfort on a long flight and wear out easily.

Relax The Back, however, offers a variety of pillows designed to support your neck and back and help you fall asleep on long flights.

The Wrap Around Neck Pillow curls around your neck and provides a gentle cheek cushion, while aligning your chin and neck. It also releases a pleasing lavender aroma to help you relax. The Wrap Around is designed to create a “spa-like” experience, and over the course of an 11-hour flight, it’s probably as close to a spa as you’ll get.

Tempur-Pedic makes an excellent travel pillow. Over the years, Tempur-Pedic has become almost a synonym for quality, and the famed mattress maker’s U-Shaped Travel Pillow is no exception. This pillow is designed for riding in a car, train, or plane with a great degree of comfort. It does a great job of surrounding and cradling your neck proper support. I recommend this one highly for frequent flyers or commuters traveling by train.

If you prefer to sleep on your side there is a pillow designed especially for that – the JetRest Memory Foam Pillow. This ergonomic pillow has an L-shape design that cradles your head so you can rest comfortably on one side. Although it provides support for one side, it doesn’t neglect your head and neck. Its rectangular body gives you a firm but flexible upright support to those areas. For frequent flyers (or anyone else who steps on a plane), it comes with a convenient carry bag as well.

These products may not make it “cheap” to fly, but they can reduce the final tally. They’re also much more comfortable than airline pillows, which are often… not. So, the next time you fly, I recommend you save a few bucks and fly with your own travel pillow. That way you can concentrate on relaxing and not pulling out your wallet or purse over and over and over….

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