Controlling Back Pain With The Proper Chair

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Today, people are more aware of their health and are seeking the best advice on ways of optimizing their lifestyles. More than ever before, consumers are seeking products and services that maximize their health and provide them with the day to day comfort benefits we Americans have become accustomed to.

In my particular practice, questions related to bed selection, pillow selection, chair selection, fitness concerns, nutritional guidance, and the selection of supportive footwear occur daily. Being in a position of having the knowledge and skill to provide my clients with literally life-changing advice, I would be flagrantly remiss if I did not introduce you to specific products and services that I believe offer the highest value and produce the desired results you are seeking.

Because I see a large number of executives and clerical personnel in my practice, one of the most frequent requests I receive is concerned with chair selection.

After 26 years of clinical practice and having had the opportunity to preview and use countless hundreds of chairs, I had come to the conclusion that there was not one chair out there that did everything I wanted it to do.

That is until now.

I was recently provided with a new chair by Smart Motion Technology called the Swing Chair. From the moment I saw this revolutionary new chair, I knew this was no ordinary chair. The Swing Chair redefines form and function and is truly a work of art that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

In addition to its stunning looks, the Swing Chair exceeds my expectations in terms of its functionality, ease of use, and clinical effectiveness. I can easily customize the chair to any size person and in doing so provide a level of support and comfort that can not be duplicated with most other chairs. From the multi-adjustable armrests to the integrated “swing seat”, the Swing Chair allows me to create a better sitting posture for my clients no matter what sitting position they need to be in. And, a better sitting posture reduces stress to the low back and neck, reduces fatigue to the neck and back muscles, and enhances productivity. The Swing Chair, in effect, actually becomes an integral part of my treatment program.

You can absolutely be assured that the Swing Chair is of the highest quality, offers the most value, and will perform better than any chair you have ever sat in. In addition to a great sitting chair, you will be overwhelmed by the service Smart Motion Technology offers its customers - service that is based on their knowledge and expertise and service that you will not find from any other manufacturer. Ask about their 90 day free trial offer - truly unprecedented.

Like I said, over the years I’ve evaluated some of the best ergonomic chairs on the market - Freedom, Aeron, Leap, Sensor, to name a few - and, by far and away, the Swing Chair smokes them all. The only thing I would add that would, in my professional opinion, make the Swing Chair the “perfect chair”, is an integrated neck support like the Freedom chair. Otherwise, at $495, the Swing Chair represents outstanding value and superior performance in comparison to the other chairs I’ve used.

If you’re in the market for a new chair, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you seriously consider the Swing Chair. Your back will be forever grateful! Check them out here: Swing Chair

As always, I’m interested in your comments or questions. Use the form below and I’ll do my best to respond promptly.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Sciatica and Back Pain Management: New Home Treatment Device May Be Effective

Sciatica and back pain are conditions where the symptoms naturally wax and wane in terms of frequency and intensity. Treatment for sciatica and back pain ranges from evidenced based therapies to the latest “snake oil” remedy. While the majority of sciatica and back pain cases represent a medical enigma, one thing is for certain; very few treatment options are actually effective.

My purpose here is to provide you with a review of a popular treatment option for the management of sciatica and back pain. My hope is that the information provided will assist you in making better decisions for the management of your particular condition.

To relieve lower back pain and sciatica, spinal decompression, improving muscular flexibility, and enhancing one’s posture are all treatment options advocated by many health care professionals. Specific treatment ranges from high tech traction devices to very simple stretching exercises. Look in any magazine or land on any late night infomercial and you’re sure to come across some form of back care treatment claiming to “end back pain forever”.

True Back Device
One such device advertised on the Internet is the True Back. The True Back claims to be a non-powered orthopedic traction device that helps eliminate pain by decompressing the spine and lengthening the muscles of the back.

The unit is made of a single piece of hollow plastic approximately 24 inches long by 10 inches wide, making it very light weight. The top of the True Back has a center channel that the bony part of the spine lies in. On either side of this channel are 15 pairs of suspension posts that are situated in such a way as to provide constant pressure to the muscles on either side of the spine. On the outside of these posts, are two removable foam cushions.

How It Works
To use the True Back, a person positions the unit so that the center channel lines up with the center of your back. From here, you simply lay back on the device as shown here.

The spine is suspended in the center channel while the weight of the body is supported on the suspension posts. The prolonged pressure provided to the spinal muscles results in a relaxation effect. While lying on the True Back, you are encouraged to take slow, deep breaths and allow your body to relax. Treatment time is a steady progression based on your tolerance and can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

The manufacturer of the True Back claims that the device provides spinal traction or decompression. This claim can be argued as there is no actual separation of the vertebral bodies themselves as you would expect to encounter with traction or decompression. That being said, however, one could argue that the front portion of the vertebrae in the thoracic spine move sway from one another while on the device resulting in an “apparent” elongation of the spine and an overall improvement in posture.

My Recommendation
The True Back Device is a handy device to assist with improving upright posture and spinal mobility, specifically that of thoracic and lumbar extension. Its use will also assist in improving the flexibility of the abdominals, anterior neck, chest, and shoulder musculature. For this reason, I would recommend the use of the True Back in treating the Backward Pelvis and Forward Head Syndromes as defined here: 4 Common Causes of Sciatica & Back Pain

Keep in mind, however, that, while I like the device in certain respects, it, in no way, represents a “final solution” to back pain. The medical research is quite clear in its assessment of back pain treatment options; active treatment has more long term benefits than does passive treatment. The True Back IS passive treatment and should only be utilized within the context of an active rehabilitation program and only for specific conditions.

Perhaps some of you have used the True Back and would like to comment. I certainly would like to know your experience with this device, especially the effects it had on your sciatica and back pain.

Of course, anyone with a question or comment, feel free to fire away in the comment section below. Oh, by the way, if there is something you’d like me to review related to anything back pain, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT,MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Back Pain, Sciatica, or a Herniated Disc Got You Down?

This blog post has absolutely nothing to do with back pain, sciatica or a herniated disc - well practically nothing.

I get notes from people all the time who desperately desire to get their life back - the life back pain has “stolen” from them.

Some of these folks are so down, they have to look up to see bottom. Maybe you can relate.

Anyway, I thought I’d pass along a note I received from a friend that technically has nothing to do with back pain other than give you hope for better days ahead. Hope this brings a smile to your face and a glimmer of light at the end of your “back pain tunnel”. Enjoy!

1. There are at least 2 people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to at least 3 other people.
7. Someone that you don’t even know exists, trusts you.
8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look because what you see may surprise you.

I’d love to hear your comments. Please use the form below and let me know what you think.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Low Back Pain: When Is Back Surgery Necessary?

Low back pain has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It’s estimated that as high as 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their life. The good news is that most of these back pain episodes will resolve on their own and never require medical intervention.

The bad news is that despite considerable advancements in the treatment of low back pain, a definitive reason for the onset of symptoms continues to elude even the most skilled practitioners. I am often asked by patients if I think they will require surgery and my answer is always the same — probably not.

In my experience, only about 10% of low back pain sufferers will require surgery. Meaning 90% of people suffering with back pain can be helped with conservative measures. Despite this fact, however, the “surgery question” still comes up.

I came across this interview with a neurosurgeon I thought might shed some light on what goes into making a surgery decision for treating low back pain. I think you’ll find it very informative.

As you learned in this interview, surgery IS NOT necessarily the first or best alternative in managing low back pain. People experiencing back pain should look into more conservative measures first before even entertaining the notion of back surgery.

The Erase Your Back Pain program is an excellent alternative to treating low back pain and has an established track record of getting results where other back pain treatment methods have failed. Learn more here: Back Pain Relief

I’d really like to know your reaction or comments to the information on this video. Please use the form below to comment.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain.

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Back Pain Treatment: The 6 Keys To Losing Weight

Because excess weight can contribute to one’s back pain symptoms, I wrote an entire book about how to lose weight effectively and efficiently. Here are the 6 main points I emphasize in the Metamorphic Weight Loss program: [Read more]

Back Pain: What Type of Mattress Should I Use?

One of the first questions asked by patients suffering with back pain is “what type of mattress do you recommend?”

Because most people spend between a third and half of their lives in bed, it’s important to ensure that the time spent there is as comfortable as possible. [Read more]

Back Pain, Healing, & Fraud

Back pain is a condition that people will do just about anything to get rid of. The healing benefits of all sorts of “snake oil” remedies have been marketed to the public for years and the public has responded by spending billions of dollars.

Now in my 26 years of clinical practice treating patients with back pain, I’ve heard some pretty outrageous claims [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment Is Confusing

Selecting the best back pain treatment for your condition can be an exercise in futility.

In the United States alone, patients with low back pain can choose from a seemingly endless array different health care and non helath care practitioners ranging from their family physician to faith healers. And, among these specialties, there are some 200 different treatment options ranging from surgery, to low back exercises, to body casting, to taking herb supplements. [Read more]

How Does Back Pain Start?

Here’s a few back pain statistics compiled by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) you might be interested in.

Over the past 3 months, approximately 59.1 million adult Americans have experienced a back pain episode. [Read more]

Back Pain: 3 Factors That Contibute To Slower Healing

Back pain is a condition that affects as many as 30 million people at any given time. And, while the majority of back pain can be treated relatively quickly, lifestyle habits can contribute to slower healing. Cigarettes, coffee, colas, and alcoholic beverages are irritants to pain receptors and nerve pathways of the body. As a result, increased consumption of these substances will slow the healing response of the body. Here’s how… [Read more]

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