Do you have back problems? Here are a bunch of useful gadgets to help your spine feel more comfortable.
If back pain is making your life miserable, here are a few items that might make you feel a little more comfortable during your recovery. These are the ones that work for me, from cheap to somewhat expensive. Over the years, as my back problems slowly increased, I started collecting anything that didn’t hurt my spine, and I’m glad I did because now they come in handy. I am currently battling a severe case of sciatica and a lumbar disc herniation, which at times renders me almost immobile. Hoping to get better soon, I resort to using a mountain of painkillers and muscle relaxers, along with all my devices. Despite the slow healing process, they all really help.
The I Joy massage chair from Sharper Image
This chair is a powerful massage tool that can really work my back like a real masseuse. It has various settings and a pad to place between the skin and the massage rollers. This softens the intensity of the massage a bit, and when your back hurts, it’s best not to let the chair work too hard on your back. When I bought it, my main back problems were less complicated, just movement pain, which went away in a week or so. Now that I have graduated with stronger back problems, this chair is even more helpful to me. I use it once a day and only for twenty minutes. If my spine hurts while using the chair, I cut the session. The doctor told me to do what feels right with my back, so it’s fine as long as I know when to stop. I joys are trusted massage chairs with a track record of satisfied customers. Mine has a cup holder and even an outlet so he can use my laptop while I get my massage. The newer chairs even have connections for iPods. They are mid-range in price, there are more expensive chairs, but this one has all the configurations I need from bumping, tapping and more. You can even tell the rollers where to massage and choose your own manual options yourself, rather than using the automatic ones, giving you a variety of techniques altogether.
Memory foam is a wonderful thing
Instead of buying those expensive memory foam mattresses, I have a 4-inch slab of memory foam on top of my mattress. It is very comfortable and molds to my body. I’ve also had the 2 inch mattress topper, and that’s fine too. The thicker the memory foam, the more “locked” you feel as you lay in there. My doctor gave me the thumbs up on memory foam when I asked for it. He’s not one to brag about anything, so hearing that he likes this is a compliment to the product. I also have a memory foam pillow and use it to cushion my lumbar (lower back) while I work. Smokers, please note that memory foam is flammable unless instructed otherwise, so it’s best not to smoke while wearing it. Foam and fire do not mix. The denser the foam, the more durable it is. I have a medium density for my mattress topper, and it holds its shape very well. Memory foam can make sleeping much more comfortable if you have severe back pain. I could never feel comfortable using only mattresses, but now I wake up more rested due to a better quality of sleep.
handheld back massagers
The portable massager I use for my lower back is called the Accuvibe and I bought it from Sharper Image. It has heat or no heat settings. I prefer non-heat mostly, but I use the heat setting after icing my back (doctor said to alternate hot and cold on my back). The massage wand is long and easily reaches most areas of my spine. My previous back massager was from Dr. Scholl’s, and it’s fine, but it has a less strong massage. It has a handy heat option without the massage, which is nice when I’m dealing with muscle spasms in my back. It’s like a heating pad, but it can get hot, so I’m careful not to fall asleep with it on my back, to avoid burning my skin.
wedge pillows
Over the years, I’ve had a few different wedge pillows, but my favorite is one with a memory foam roll on the bottom, which I purchased through QVC. It’s soft, easy to clean, and strong enough to support my back in bed or in my chair while I work. There are also lumbar pillows, disk-shaped pillows to place behind you while sitting. Another good wedge is the one that is placed under the knees while sleeping. This helps take pressure off your spine and helps keep your spine straight when you lie down.
Dr. Grosso’s Back Relief Belt
This handy little belt is useful for giving you lower back support. Comes with blue gel ice packs, to insert into a hidden pocket on the belt, for ice therapy when needed. The belt is adjusted by easily manageable straps and by an air pump on the side. Just pump it up to the correct voltage and then go about your business. Helps take pressure off while working or lifting. The belt isn’t for heavy lifting, but it’s good for basic lower back support when you need it. With the belt, you get a pocket booklet called “A Guide to a Pain-Free Back” by Dr. Grosso. It’s packed with easy-to-understand diagrams and explanations on how to help your back, as well as providing brief explanations of common back ailments. It is also full of exercises to strengthen your back muscles.
There are many other aids available, which I haven’t discovered yet. Find what makes your recovery time more bearable and use it. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other medications are the most important part of my therapy right now, but I hope in time I won’t need to use them as much as I do now. The entire sciatica pain experience has taught me to stop abusing my back and think twice about how I feel, stand and move. Any article that makes life easier is welcome. Give them a try, and you might like them too.