Category: Equipment

If you have an office job, odds are high that you sit in front of a computer for a good part of every day – even if you don’t have an office job; people of all ages spend at least an hour or two a day in front of a computer. Spending that time sitting in a comfortable and ergonomically correct chair is key in preventing minor back pain (that could eventually lead to more serious problems). There are some general rules to follow when it comes to proper body posture in a chair and aspects to the chair that can help you follow the rules.

Be aware of what your body is doing while you sit; don’t slump or slouch. A good chair can help you sit up so that your vertebrae are aligned with proper curvature of the spine. The chair should provide proper seat depth and width as well as a backrest that has lumbar support built in. Supportive padding in the seat and backrest is extremely important and if the seat is not deep enough or too deep, then the knees, hips and back will be strained. A good chair will have many different knobs and dials to adjust the lumbar support, the tilt of the seat and backrest, and the height of the chair. All of this adjustability insures the best fit possible, which also insures the most ergonomically correct chair.

Try to have right angles at the ankles, knees, hips and elbows. Bring your elbows close in to your side. Be sure that there are no angles at the wrists; the natural (neutral) way that your wrists line up with your forearms should be the way that you type and mouse. The chair should raise and lower to achieve the proper height for the individual. Your feet should be flat on the floor straight down from your knees. Adjustable armrests are optional, but it is important to do whichever helps you keep your elbows at a right angle and your wrists neutral.

Choosing a chair mobile chair is imperative. A swiveling motion will allow the whole body to turn so that the back is not twisting. Rollers on the base of the chair are also necessary to allow you to get closer to an object, such as a phone, desk drawer or stapler, so that you don’t have to reach for it. Reaching, bending and twisting movements can lead to overuse strains. Chairs that allow you to follow these rules could mean the difference between back health and many costly doctors’ visits.

Office supply stores carry lines of ergonomic chairs and many different brands and styles can be purchased online.

Sitting down and propping up your feet after a long hard day can feel wonderful. Add a gentle massaging action to that and it is heaven. Chair massagers can provide added relaxation after a long day or relief from throbbing pain from a sore back. The massaging action from the chair can increase circulation and blood flow to the area, which helps to circulate oxygen and carries away toxins. One of the great things about chair massagers is that a person can completely relax into the chair (especially if the chair also allows you to raise your feet). Some handheld types of massagers can leave residual tension in the arm that is holding up the massager; the chair doesn’t have that problem. People also like the idea in investing in a chair massager for convenience and economy – as compared to paying a massage therapist.

Often a brand will have several options at several prices levels, so it is possible to comparison shop and find something that works for you.

Here are some options to consider when purchasing (or using) a chair massagers

• Variable settings – Many chair massagers come with several different settings including a vertical rolling motion or kneading action as well as a pulsation or vibration option. Settings can be changed to target the upper or lower back or a mixture of the two.
• Individual needs – Different chairs will target different areas. Do you want something that targets the upper back, the seat area, and do you prefer vibration to rolling action? Check out all the options before buying.
• Variable speeds – Does the device have several different speed options? Different pain can be treated in different ways, so speed variance can be important.
• Heat – With proper use, infrared heat penetrates deep into muscle tissue through the skin. The heat helps to relax the muscle and get circulation going in the area.
• Intensity – The kneading or rolling action of a chair massager can sometimes be intense. If you have serious back problems, or experience any discomfort, it is best to speak with your healthcare provider.
• Space – Chair massagers are extremely bulky and heavy. Consider where it will fit best before purchasing.
• Cost – Chair massagers can be very costly, so it is worth looking around and comparison shopping.

Massage chairs can be found at many different stores and there are two websites, massagechairs.com and comfortchannel.com, which are both great resources; both have a large selection. Directions should be followed to increase effectiveness and prevent harm.

If you suffer from back pain, it is likely that you are always looking for relief options. If you are already exercising, stretching and keeping your weight down, but still have occasional soreness, the personal handheld massager might be just the relief you are looking for. Increasing the blood flow to an area helps to circulate oxygen and nutrients and to carry away toxins, and massage increases blood flow by stimulating circulation. So massage not only feels good, but also provides physiological help as well.

When it comes to personal handheld massagers there are many different options. Some of the big names in massagers are Homedics, Heliohealth, Conair, Max and Ultrasonic, though there are many other brands. Often a brand will have several options at several prices levels, so it is easy to find something that works for you.

Many brands are thinking ergonomically. Handheld massagers are liked by people because they can massage specific areas; a drawback is that whichever hand is holding the massager (and therefore that arm and possibly the shoulder as well) can’t completely relax. Makers of ergonomic products are trying to make using their brands the most relaxing and truly healthy experience possible.

Here are some options to consider when purchasing (or using) a handheld massager:

• Variable speeds – Does the device have several different speed options? Different pain can be treated in different ways, so speed variance can be important.
• Variable settings – Many massagers come with several different settings including percussive action, steady action or short bursts. Settings can be changed depending on if it will be large muscle groups are being massaged or smaller groups with more concentrated nerve endings.
• Ergonomic – Consider how often you’ll need to use the device and for how long it will be operating. Back pain can sometimes be caused from tired muscles, so you want the massager to have easy handling and maneuverability. If your arms are weak be sure to choose an ergonomically designed device.
• Cord vs. cordless – Massagers come both battery operated and with cords. Consider how and where your device will be used.
• Heat – With proper use, infrared heat penetrates deep into muscle tissue through the skin without causing skin burns. The heat helps to relax the muscle and get circulation going in the area.
• Noise – Massagers can be very loud when operating. Think about how loud the action is prior to purchase.

There are many stores that sell personal handheld massagers, such as Brookstone, Costco and Bed Bath and Beyond and the online resources are innumerable. However, a good place to start is comfortchannel.com or amazon.com.

Many people experience back and neck pain. Whether a person sits at a desk for a good part of the day or performs heavy lifting, back pain is likely to knock on the door at some point in their adult lives. There are several things that can be done to help prevent back pain, like practicing good posture, going to a chiropractor, or strengthening the muscles of the back. If a person sits at a desk using a computer all day, then prevention can come in the form of an ergonomically correct desk chair. Sometimes all that is needed is the quick relief that comes with rest and relaxation, so personal handheld massagers and massage chairs can help to relieve a tired and sore back. This article takes a look at some options for self-managing minor back pain.

Ergonomic Chairs

With the onset of the computer age, more people are spending more time sitting in front of a computer. Using a comfortable and ergonomically correct chair is key in preventing minor back pain (that could eventually lead to more serious problems). Individual needs dictate which chair is right for which person, but here are some things to look for when shopping for a good ergonomic chair.

1. Height – can it raise and lower to suit individual height
2. Seat depth and width – the backs of the thighs need to be fully supported and the hips shouldn’t be squished
3. Backrest – correct and natural curvature of the spine needs to be supported with a high enough back and lumbar support
4. Arm rests – should be adjustable to accommodate the individual
5. Swivel and rollers – chair should easily turn and roll to help reduce the amount of bending, twisting and reaching a person does.

Office supply stores such as Office Depot or Office Max carry lines of ergonomic chairs and many different brands and styles can be purchased online.

Personal Hand-held Massagers

Massage not only feels good but has an actual positive physiological effect. Massage increases circulation to an area which increases blood flow. Increased blood flow helps to circulate oxygen and nutrients and to carry away toxins. What people like about the hand-held massagers is the “any time, anywhere” access to relief and the one-time cost, unlike going to a massage therapist. People also like the way they can massage specific areas, but this also means that whichever hand is holding the massager (and therefore that arm and possibly the shoulder as well) can’t completely relax.

There are many different options when it comes to personal hand-held massagers. Massagers come small, large, battery operated, with cords, etc., so finding something for your individual preference is easily achievable.

Massage Chairs

Massage chairs are effective and helpful since a person can relax fully into the chair. Massage stimulates blood flow which increases oxygen to the area. A full chair can be purchased that has the massage unit built in or an insert can be placed on any upright or reclining chair.

Common options in massage chairs include:

1. Vertical rolling or kneading motion
2. Pulsation
3. Concentration on lower back, upper back or both
4. Heat

Personal hand-held massagers and massage chairs can be found at many different stores including Bed Bath and Beyond, Brookstone and Costco. A good resource online is comfortchannel.com where a full selection of massage therapy products and types are available. Directions should be followed to increase effectiveness and prevent harm.

In the treatment of back pain there isn’t just one remedy; treating the symptoms by several different means can be very effective. Besides the more well-known remedies, like pain killers, icing and exercise, electrical stimulation has also been successful in pain management. Transcutaneous (or “through the skin”) Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) works by transmitting electrical impulses via electrodes placed on the skin. The electrode pads are carefully placed to target the areas which are causing pain. A physiotherapist or healthcare professional can advise on the most effective placement of the pads. The chronic musculoskeletal pain of the back is one type of pain that responds very well to the TENS machine.

The idea behind the TENS machine is that pain messages sent to the brain are overridden by the electrical messages of the machine. Just as when you hit your funny bone and immediately reach down to rub the area, the electrical stimulus can help with chronic pain. The machine can be set to several different settings: constant, modulation and burst. The first sends a constant signal that is better for acute pain. The frequency on the modulation mode changes so that the nerve doesn’t adapt. The burst mode is what it sounds, a burst of frequency happens that has proven to be good with people with chronic pain.

Some TENS users find experience immediate relief and some find that they have to wait a few weeks before obtaining effective results. The good news is that, if used properly, there are no adverse side effects, which is not necessarily the case with other treatments. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) has also shown to stimulate the body’s production of endorphins, which has also been proven to relieve pain. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and run.

In order for the machine to be the most effective, and the safest possible, electrodes should never be placed:

• Do not place electrode pads on broken or damaged skin, over the front or side of the neck, on each temple, close to eyes or in the mouth.
• On areas of decreased sensation (numb skin)
• In or near water such as in the bath or shower.

TENS should not be used by people with epilepsy, or people who have an artificial cardiac pacemaker, or with people with certain types of heart disease. TENS should also be used with great caution in pregnant women (affect on the developing fetus are not known). Before using the machine a doctor should be consulted.