Orthopedic Products

Special pillows

2012-01-24T15:23:00.002Z

Twenty years ago most people slept on either a feather and down pillow or a standard foam pillow. Things have changed in the last two decades and now materials like visco elastic memory foam and latex are common pillow filling materials and they offer what is considered to be superior orthopedic support.

Modern foams though are not the only options when it comes to selecting something a little bit different. At the extreme end of the spectrum there are pillows filled with animal hair and there are also pillows that are stuffed with dried grassed and other vegetation. These are very much niche pillows and appeal to a very limited number of people.

More common are some of the pillows that claim a therapy effect on the person sleeping on them. These can be pillows that are infused with an odour like lavender, or that have a filling that is composed of a very un-bed-like material.

One example of the above is bamboo which in both its dried and burnt form is becoming a popular bedding material (for mattress and pillow uses).

Bamboo has a number of traits that lend it to pillow applications. Firstly it has long been appreciated that it feels cool and that this makes it ideal in hot environments. With modern fabric making technologies this means that it can be processed and interlaced into a length of cloth and then stitched to make a pillow case.

When burnt, bamboo (as charcoal) has some additional properties that see it cleanse the air, produce negative ions and, according to some, make getting to sleep easier.

The other good thing about the bamboo charcoal is that it can be impregnated into other materials like memory foam and latex foam so that the advantages of the therapy can be combined with the qualities of orthopedic support. These pillows are becoming increasingly popular and they can be bought at many of the better chain stores. They come in standard designs and they do not look or feel out of place in any bedroom.

For a summary of the different pillow types available this http://www.orthopedicmattress.net/pillows.html page should provide an basic introduction. Naturally trying pillows out, in terms of feel and odour, is the best way to determine if they are right for you.

Orthopedic footwear

2011-12-02T18:14:00.000Z

One of the most overlooked orthopedic products are shoes. One of the reasons for this is probably because when you hear the term “orthopedic shoes” the vision of large cumbersome and attention grabbing shoes come to mind.

Shoes fitting this description are still around, but they tend to be worn by the elderly, people with foot deformities or people at risk from diabetes. Even then far more conventional looking shoes are often available.

Every day orthopedic shoes are intended to be worn by anyone and everyone who gives a priority to the health and welfare of their feet. This type of orthopedic shoe, sometimes called a comfort shoe or an easy fit shoe, is an everyday pair of shoes that you wear for work, for walking around or for simply sitting around. This type of footwear has a design that supports the feet and offers padding and cushioning in all of the right places.

The appearance too is pretty standard. Some minor concessions to conventional design can include the replacement of laces with hook and loop Velcro fasteners and an outer sole that has a wedge sole rather than one with a heel, but these features are barely noticeable.

Materials can be natural leather or one of the breathable fabrics that stretch and contract with the feet. Styles are rarely the height of fashion, but this type of orthopedic shoe never stands out, looks out of place or appears dated.

The obvious question is who are these shoes designed for and who should wear them?

The answer is just about everyone. These shoes are nothing more than well designed and well made footwear and they will look after the feet of a healthy child or an elderly and not too healthy adult.

Orthopedic shoes do not have to have a specific look. In actualisation, most good quality hiking shoes are designed with the same approach as a more normal looking orthopedic shoe and the same can be said for some of the better training shoes and cross trainers (or sneakers).

Some more unusual “orthopedic shoes” can be found online and in some stores. The “five finger shoe” is one example and here the design takes a radial re-visit of shoe design and how the shoe works with the foot. The result is something very different , both to look at and to wear.

To get more information about some of these shoes see http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net. There you can see exactly what the current thinking in orthopedics and shoe design have to offer.

Types of bed and bed frame

2011-11-14T19:40:00.000Z

I have frequently mentioned different mattress materials and products like memory foam and latex foam, all of which are important components in the make up of a bed. What I do not seem to have mentioned is the bed frame that supports the mattress and which also plays a part in the way that the body is supported during sleep.

The actual bed (not the mattress part), often called a frame or base, is the foundation of the surface on which we sleep and as such it is very important. A poor or failing bed frame will result in a poor night’s sleep however good the mattress, so the frame is important.

Bed frames come in two general forms, the first being the old style visible frame and the second being on of the divan style frames. More on both of these choices can be found here http://www.orthopaedicmattress.net/bed-types.html.

In the case of the divan, the construction of the bed frame is hidden and enclosed behind an aesthetic box-like surround that makes the bed appear solid.

In the case of a more traditional frame, all parts of the frame’s footboard, headboard, legs and any side detailing remain visible.

Advantages and disadvantages of each system

The divan has a very big advantage over the normal open frame and that is its ability to act as a storage area. The majority of divan beds have drawers and these drawers give access and storage to the large area under the bed. In simple terms the dead space beneath the area where you sleep can be used store anything from clothes and Christmas decorations to bed sheets and spare pillows. These divan drawers are a bit like having a horizontal chest of drawers laid across the floor.

Unlike the divan, the bed frame is open, lower and without any kind of storage area beneath or within it. In this way it loses ground against the divan – at least if saving or using space is at a premium.

Where the bed frame does beat its rival is in its style, variety and independence of mattress partner.

Bed frames can be wood or metal, low or high, large or small, plain or decorative, cheap or expensive, light or heavy…. And the list goes on.

The big advantage of the bed frame is in its style and they way that it can be selected to become the visual centre piece of any bedroom. Bed frames do not need to be hidden or disguised. Instead they can be used to make a statement about a bedroom and they also have the flexibility to hold almost any mattress. This means that you are not restricted to the mattress that came with the divan, nor is there a fabric finish that will only match the mattress-divan set.

In terms of performance, which is best between the divan and the frame is an unanswerable question. In both cases quality varies considerably and in both cases an orthopedic mattress can be used with the bed base.

Beds that are not beds!

2011-10-27T16:23:00.002+01:00

The term bed is often used for something that may not necessarily mean what we normally expect it to mean.

Most dictionaries describe a bed as an item of furniture on which we lie down with a view to resting or going to sleep. Many go one step further and add that it has a mattress, usually made with springs or foam, and that it is rectangular and comes in single or double bed formats.

This is of course the normal description and expectation of a bed, however there are a couple of other items of furniture that also take the name, but which do not really fit the definition given above.

The first is the sun longer or garden sun bed. This is used for relaxation, but most people think of it as a way of getting a sun tan on a sunny day and not a means of going to sleep or resting. Sun loungers come in different forms, but all are used in the same way and with the same “browning the skin” objective.

The other type of bed, also concerned with the sun, is the sunbed.

Sunbeds are not really beds at all and the sole function of this type of bed is the tanning of the skin.

Quite how the sunbed got its name is open to speculation, but the fact that you lay down horizontally on it is the most probable explanation.

Moving away from any kind of bed that a person uses you do of course have the flower bed. This however is a bed of a very different nature, but the term is still extended and derived to describe the flowers that are planted in it – namely “bedding plants”. Indeed you even “bed in” the bedding plants when planting them!

Ultimately, like many terms and expressions, “bed” and its derivatives have a number of interpretations based on context and form and the bed on which we sleep is just one.

More about “proper” beds and the important mattresses that we sleep on can be found off this site map page http://www.orthopedicmattress.net/site-map.html. The orthopedic properties, traits and features that are desirable in good beds are explained in detail for each of the different bed and mattress types.

For those more interested in flower beds, here is a picture of one.

Different types of chair

2011-10-24T16:20:00.000+01:00

It is amazing how many different types of chair variation there are. Chairs of one sort or another have been sourced or designed for just about every purpose conceivable from the wheelchair to the lounger chair found in the sitting room or family room.

At one end of the spectrum you will find chairs aimed very much at sitting down and relaxing whilst watching TV, reading or listening to music, whilst at the other end of the scale you have chairs that have been put together for a functional reason. This may be to operate a computer, play on a gaming console (with sound and even vibration provided by the chair), or for some skilled trade occupation.

One of the advances of modern technology is the specialisation of different chair uses. Once upon a time an easy chair was and easy chair and a high backed dining style chair was just that. Now however, there are chairs that offer therapies like heat and massage and chairs that have reclining features, or motors that assist with the getting up and sitting down activity. Ultimately there is a chair for everything.

A good selection of the alternative chair options can be found at http://www.orthopedicchair.net/more-chair.html where a number of the chairs described above are mentioned. Still more developed and customised chairs include those designed into a stairlift. These special lifts make it possible for someone who struggles with steps and stairs to travel effortlessly from one floor level to another without assistance.

Adjustable chairs have become increasingly good sellers, particularly when it comes to task chairs. These are chairs that are intended for the fulfilment of a particular job or activity and the adjustable features make the customizing of the chair’s set-up specific to anyone using it. The number and variety of adjustments vary from chair to chair and the more you pay the more you get.

So how many different chair variations and models are there? Well there are chairs for babies and children, chairs for cars with accessories, backrests, bolsters and cushions. Then there are chairs for outdoors and the garden, or even the beach. You also have special chairs that enable emergency services to get injured or disabled people out of buildings with stairs or danger. There are chairs that are designed to look good and fit into a certain environment or room, e.g. a bedroom chair, and then there are general chairs that will do for just about anything.

Ultimately there are a lot of chairs and variations on seats of all descriptions.

Mattress materials and systems

2011-10-18T13:50:00.001+01:00

Continuing on from the last post looking at therapeutic beds, this post will look at the different mattresses that form the support on which a person sleeps.

Not too long ago mattresses were limited to springs or coils that, along with padding and ticking, constituted the mattress body. These days things have moved on and we now have a myriad of different mattress types from which to choose.

In addition to springs there is foam and this was, for many years, seen as a cheap and inferior product. That all changed with the arrival of visco elastic foam, commonly known as memory foam, and we now have Talalay latex foam too.

In addition to the foams there are some old style mattress filling materials like feather and down, organic wool and there are even some companies who make mattresses with a filling that is derived from grass.

The most popular mattress remains the one that uses springs and there are two versions of the sprung mattress. The cheap and cheerful one uses innersprings that interconnect and have what is termed a “low spring count”. The second has pocket springs that work independently and the beds that use this type of spring have a much higher spring count (i.e. number of springs in a bed/mattress).

Foams cannot have a measure like a spring count, so instead they are graded by either density or firmness. Both of these metrics make it possible to get an idea of how hard or spongy the mattress surface will be.

Trying to compare one mattress material or product with another is never easy as each has its own unusual set of properties. There is also the problem of trying to define one as being better than another which again is difficult because the differences do not necessarily relate to something being better or worse. This page http://www.orthopedicmattress.net/mattress-compare.html gives some comparison information about the various mattress options that are available. It attempts to relate the different properties of each mattress type against another in an informative way.

Another mattress type, not mentioned above, is the water bed and you can also find air beds with controllable hydraulic inflation. Beds and mattresses can of course include other features like electric adjustment, vibration or massage and gentle heat. These can be found on some of the more expensive therapeutic or wellbeing beds.

The next post will continue the theme of mattress related products or products with an orthopedic slant to them.

Therapeutic and bariatric beds

2011-09-22T15:10:00.001+01:00

My first post in a while and it is back to one of my favoured subjects which is beds and mattresses of the orthopedic variety.

As previous posts have pointed out there are many different bed designs and mattress materials and fillers and all have a place depending on individual requirements and budgets.

This time I will make some observations and comments on adjustable beds and therapeutic beds, both of which are used in the medical and care sectors as well as in the home. These tend to be beds for dependency patients, people who spend prolonged periods of time in bed, or people who are recovering from an accident, injury, or procedure and for whom rest is critical to their recovery.

Therapeutic beds (you can find out more about them here: http://www.orthopedicbed.net/therapeutic-bed.html) can be beds based around wellbeing and providing the best possible support to the resting body, or beds intended to offer some kind of direct therapy like massage. A bed termed a “therapy bed” is more usually a bed from which a manual therapy is delivered by a practitioner and this is normally differentiated as being dissimilar to a therapeutic bed.

So what can you expect from a therapeutic bed? Well just about anything as the description is pretty open ended.

Many therapeutic bed types have memory foam mattresses and they may have some kind of frame based adjustment, often to enable the raising or lowering of the bed, or even to enable the incline of the backrest to be varied. This option may also apply to the leg support part of the bed and mattress. These adjustments can be electric or manually powered.

More exotic features can include embedded heaters to warm up the mattress and bedding and even special motors that can simulate a massage. Some massage features even allow the selection from a number of different massage techniques and timers allow the massage period to be preset.

High dependency beds tend to move away from the “luxury” features bed to a more practical bed design. These beds take into account the fact that a carer may be working with a patient and need constant access to all parts of the bed area. These beds focus on height adjustment to enable patient comfort, movement and ingress at a suitable level.

A further type of therapeutic bed, and one that is rapidly increasing in popularity and demand, is the bariatric bed (http://www.orthopedicbed.net/bariatric-bed.html). Bariatric beds are special bed and mattress combinations that have been developed for very large and heavy people. These people are often referred to as obese, however in the medical profession they are part of an area of medical care called bariatrics. Bariatrics looks at the care, treatment and aids that can be used to make the life of very overweight people easier, healthier and more like that of normal sized individuals. Methods include treatments and procedures, diet and exercise advice and the provision of assistive aids and furniture of which the bariatric bed is one example.

Further reading on these wellbeing and care focussed beds can be found by using the links provided in the text. There is a considerable amount of information covering all of the variations of orthopedic, therapeutic and body supporting beds accessible from these pages.

Finally, if you have not given serious thought to the health of your back and how your body recovers and regenerates during the night, you should. If you do you will discover that good sleep, aided by a good bed and mattress, is critical to a long and healthy life.

Swimming

2011-08-04T14:39:00.000+01:00

Swimming is of course one of the best ways to stay healthy and also one of the best ways to rehabilitate many injuries.

Swimming has a zero impact effect on the body, so joints, ligaments and tendons do not suffer. Furthermore, it gives a real all-body workout that means that almost any swimming stroke will exercise and tone every muscle from those of the fingers and toes to the large abdominals.

The constant pressure of the water also ensures that resistance is constant, but equally that swimming need not be overly strained or tiring. How hard you swim and how long you choose to swim for will determine the level of your workout. Even swimming for pleasure and simply moving around in water works the muscles.

All told this makes swimming an exercise that is sympathetic with orthopedics and good for all round health. It is also a readily available way to get exercise as swimming pools are located in towns and cities in almost every country of the western world.

Swimming options include municipal pools, pools at Spa complexes and swimming in open water. The latter can include the sea, or even lakes and rivers. However, all open water can be dangerous and should only attract the strong swimmer who is aware of their limitations as well as being conscious of the water conditions, e.g. temperature, depth etc.

Swimming regularly is the best way to build up good strength and stamina and to work the joints and keep them mobile and free. For some, one option is to have their own private swimming pool. These pools need not be as expensive as one might at first think and they can often be situated outdoors and use heaters (http://www.pool-heaters.net/index.html) and filtration systems to keep the water temperature comfortable and the pool water clean and hygienic.

Having your own pool makes swimming at any time a possibility and by using a pool enclosure it is possible and practical to swim at any time of year in comfort and relative warmth.

The basic kit needed for pool ownership requires the pool structure (this “may” require excavation) plus a number of ancillary items. These items include a proper filtration system which in turn necessitates a pump to feed water through it and this can also be used to circulate heated up water that is warmed by a pool heater.

The pool will additionally require a special lining which can be tiles or a vinyl liner (http://www.swimming-pool-liners.net), and then there are cleaning aids which come in the form of devices and chemicals.

Once set up most pools are fairly easy to maintain, however in the case of outside pools it is important to keep heat in and debris out and this will usually necessitate the use of a solar pool cover. This covers up and protects the pool and pool water. With an internal pool the protection element is not as important.

Technological developments in physical human aids

2011-05-27T16:50:00.000+01:00

Somewhere along the line I have managed to miss posting on this blog for over a month, so I will rectify the situation now with a new post.

The subject of this post is related to orthopedic based products, however it is perhaps more directly connected with products in the mobility and health sector. The nature of the product types that I am covering are those which have benefited from some kind of automation, power-assistance, computer technology or other technological intervention. In other words products very much connected with overcoming mobility, movement or disability, but with a modern twist.

As little as 20 or 30 years ago very few products falling into the classification of “human aids” were what could be described as technologically advanced. An obvious example is the wheelchair which, up until quite recently, had seen little in the way of advancement. Indeed the number of aids was very limited and this meant that those with any kind of limiting physical condition had to rely to a significant degree on carers or family members for help.

Things have now changed and items like wheelchairs come in powered formats and, in addition, there is a range of mobility scooters, some of which are even road worthy.

Other large body moving aids like stairlifts and bathlifts have also become very affordable and they are now common place in many homes. These large aids enable someone who has limited mobility to retain their independence for longer. They can only exist because of the advances made in miniaturising motors and developing advanced and controllable robotics.

The large aids are however only one area where advancements in technology have seen benefits.

Many small scale aids have also emerged and most of these solve the smaller, but still challenging, tasks of daily life. A good example is the can, bottle top and tin opener that requires only a single touch to activate it. This device can be a massive aid to those who find opening a tin, or screwing the top off a bottle difficult.

Technology also rears its head when it comes to measurements and providing readings. A good example of this would be a blood sugar alarm for those suffering from diabetes. These alarms use advanced sensors, digital components and audible sounds to notify the wearer that their blood sugar level has dropped to a point where action needs to be taken. Prior to these aids, regular blood tests were the only reliable warning option.

More information relating to the large number of health aids that fall into this category can be found here, http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/electronic-aids.html and there are now developments taking place on a continual basis which see new aids emerging all of the time.

New trends in aid development include features like miniaturisation and the ability to obtain very accurate readings and measurements using equipment with digital interfaces and small computer like processors.

Some general observations

2011-03-22T11:16:00.001Z

I wrote about the new concept of five fingers shoes back in December last year and, at that time, I thought that these clever shoe designs would really take off.

Well, in the UK at least they have not. Exactly why this is the case is impossible to tell, but my guess is that a mix of a very high prices (i.e. over £100/pair), the need for special socks (e.g. over £10/pair), and a lack of any real marketing publicity, has kept their profile low. At the same time stores are never keen to stock high priced products without proper advertising campaigns to back them up.

Naturally is it far from being too late for these shoes to take off, but they certainly seem to be stagnating at the moment and the prospect of buying shoes (that you cannot try on) on the web is not everyone’s first choice.

Even so, they remain a product to watch with interest.

I mentioned a couple of years back that I was trying out a gel mouse mat, i.e. one of those with a wrist rest that elevates the hand. At the time I thought that it was pretty good. But I now notice that I have in fact tuned it around so that the gel pad is out of the way and no longer in use.

I must have done this without consciously noticing, but it suggests that I prefer the basic mat design without the extra protruding pad.

On to beds, mattresses and bedding products, and another observation that I can make is that 3 or 4 years ago there were plenty of Latex mattresses and pillows. I personally consider the latex foam to be superior to visco elastic memory foam, however others clearly do not as latex seems to have all but disappeared.

Again, I suspect that a failure in marketing (when compared to memory foam) is at the heart of the problem. In any event, getting hold of a latex pillow is now all but impossible. There is an article somewhere on this http://www.orthopedicbed.net/extra-bed-info.html page that covers different mattress foams (I think).

So far this year there have been no great new innovations in the world of orthopedic products. This in itself is not that unusual as real innovation is a rare thing. However, the re-packaging of something that already exists as “the next big thing” is not. Even so this has yet to happen in 2011. There is of course plenty of time left for that to happen.

Finally, I wonder to what extent the (UK) TV comedy show “Benidorm” has increased mobility scooter sales to those who don’t really need them.

It would seem that we have moved from a position where only the mobility challenged would ride them - to where they became viewed as also being a bariatric aid - and now they are for everyone, even those with no mobility restriction at all.

It just shows how perceptions change. One minute something is perceived as a disability aid, and the next minute it is the latest “must have” accessory.

Is a cheap mattress worth the money?

2011-02-04T09:48:00.000Z

This is actually a very important question because why should you spend several hundred pounds on a product that you could buy for £99 (or $99) or less.

So, when it comes to a mattress do you get what you pay for, or is it all hype?

A good mattress gets its value from a number of factors. They include - the quality of the materials, the quality of its construction (build), and the way in which it has been designed.

Mattress materials include springs, foams, fillings, fabrics and in some cases latex and even magnets or water. The more materials there are in the mattress, combined with the complexity of assembling it, the more expensive it will be. High quality materials naturally add more to the cost of the mattress. This is why orthopedic quality mattresses cost more than many others.

So the general picture quickly becomes one of getting what you pay for. In other words if you “buy cheap” you will get a product utilising cheap materials, a simple and low quality build or assembly and the technology in the mattress will be very limited.

Mark-up on beds and mattresses, and especially orthopedic beds, is usually a standard percentage, but this of course means that the more the mattress costs to make, the more the mark-up will be. Again this is another factor that cause a disproportional increase in the value of a cheap versus a more expensive mattress.

So should you buy a cheap mattresses or a more expensive model?

If you want quality, comfort and value over a long period of time (i.e. probably over 10 years), then you should spend a significant amount of money wisely. A cheap mattress is very much a short term solution. It will save you money now, but you will be back in the market place looking for a replacement in 2 to 4 years. This however, is the way that some people like it and, so long as you do not sleep on a failing mattress, you can adopt this “buy and replace” approach.

So what is the big difference between cheap and expensive?

The difference between a budget mattress and an expensive mattress is the life expectancy that you can expect before comfort, support and build quality break down.

A cheap mattress “can” provide a good level of comfort, but it will have a comparatively short user-life. So, if you work out “mattress worth” based on a formula using the number of years use that you get from it, you become aware that cheap beds actually have a similar “annual cost” to expensive ones.

In simple terms the saving of buying a cheap mattress over an expensive one is not a saving at all if you look at all of your mattress purchases over the long term.

For more about orthopedic beds, mattresses, mattress materials, constructions, and how they are built, check out this website http://www.orthopedicmattress.net. It includes details covering memory foam, springs, Latex foam, water and air beds, and more.

A couple of unusual ideas/devices

2011-01-10T11:42:00.002Z

I have just been looking at a site covering what it describes as “WALKING AID Orthopedic Devices”. These “aids” are very space-age in appearance although, at a first glance, I was not quite sure what their orthopedic properties actually were.

On a closer inspection and, having read the information, they are automated walkers for children or adults who have a condition like cerebral palsy, or who are recovering or in rehabilitation from an accident or injury. What I liked most about these devices is the fact that they look good and would draw attention for reasons of style rather than reasons of disability. The page in question is here - http://psipunk.com/walking-aid-orthopedic-device-by-luke-forward/. The pictures are diagrammatic and they indicate one of the devices in use.

Something else!

At second item of orthopedic interest that I have been taking a look at is an orthopedic mouse. This is of course a computer mouse, but even so, how one makes it orthopedic is quite a question. The answer however can be seen on this page http://www.agadget.net/orthopedic-mouse/ and I for one quite like the idea behind it.

The way it works is quite novel. Rather than moving the mouse right or left, or up or down to move the mouse curser across the screen you simply tilt the mouse.

This works because the mouse is in fact in a fixed (non-movable) position. However the functioning and ergonomic section of the mouse (the bit you hold) is elevated above its base and literally rocks in any direction based on where you want your mouse curser to go. That is, you tilt forward to move up the screen, backwards to move down the screen and left or right to mimic that direction. During all of these small movements the mouse stays glued to its spot meaning that you always have it located in your most personally ergonomic position.

Other than that, all of the other functions of the mouse are conventional in operation, so it is simple to learn and use. So how much does it cost and is it currently available – I have no idea.

Stair and perch lifts – a mobility solution

2010-12-08T16:39:00.002Z

Getting up and down a flight of stairs gets more difficult as people get older. Accidents, illnesses and other health issues can additionally make ascending and descending steps challenging and even dangerous.

The solution to getting from one level to another, particularly in a house, can often be a stairlift.

Stairlifts come in many forms including one where you are transported whilst still standing. Lifts of this type are called perch stairlifts and are ideal for those who find standing up and sitting down hard. This means that anyone who uses a riser recliner chair may find a perch lift easier to use than a regular stair lift.

More conventional stairlifts use a seat which will have a backrest and often armrests. A seat belt or security strap will be compulsory in some countries and this secures the “traveller” in place during the transition.

Stairlifts can travel up and down straight flights of steps or move around corners. Turning or curved stairlifts are more expensive as the curved sections need to be “made to measure” for the stairway in question.

If the curved section simply deals with a landing, then it will be combined with straight elements which will keep costs down, however, if the stairway is a spiral one it will have a much greater cost.

There are limitation to where and how a stairlift can be fitted.

Naturally the width of the stair needs to be sufficient to accommodate the lift and chair and the adjacent wall must be a structural one that can take the weight and fixings of the track and chair mechanism.

Certain spiral stairs can be too narrow and/or too curved to receive a stairlift installation, however this kind of occurrence is unusual. (This http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/stairlift.html page should be a resource to all of the info regarding these lifts that you will need.)

When not in use the stairlift chair usually comes to rest just around the top or bottom bend of the stair. This means that it does not obstruct the stair and prevent more mobile people from climbing it.

Most stairlift installations can be fitted in a single day, however the manufacturing time may result in a delay between ordering and fitting. This delay will depend on how busy the supplier is and how many sections of made-to-measure tracking are required.

Once fitted a stairlift can be expected to function without problems for many years. The motors are normally robust and reliable and, although occasional servicing is required, they prove cheap to run and maintain.

Though once very expensive, this kind of mobility apparatus is now common place in many homes and it can keep a two storey house easily accessible even if personal mobility becomes an issue.

Five fingers shoes

2010-12-03T16:28:00.002Z

A rather strange title for a blog and a very strange and unusual type of footwear.

Five fingers shoes are the latest fad in shoe design and they throw everything that we normally associate with shoe design out of the window.

What they are – These strange looking shoes are more like gloves for the feet. They don’t have a toe box, but instead have a separate compartment for each and every toe, five for each shoe. The upper of these shoes is light and made of fabric and the sole pretty much duplicates the appearance of the underside of a human foot, right down to the toes. This sole is also very flexible.

All told this means that these shoes act to cover and protect the feet, but they do nothing when it comes to supporting the feet, providing a sturdy sole or supporting the foot’s natural arch.

So what do they do – What they do is allow the feet to work in the most natural way possible. This means that once you get used to wearing them you will start walking as if you had bare feet. This means that all of the muscles in your feet will start working, you will feel the ground and its contours, and your toes will spread and distribute your weight as you walk. This helps balance and it good for the muscles from the legs right through to the back. Indeed, one of the claims of these five fingers shoes is that they can alleviate back pain.

What do they look like – The only sensible answer to this is odd. They look a little bit like you borrowed your feet from a character from “The Planet of the Apes”. The shoes mimic the feet, so they look like feet, but in whatever colour of shoes that you select.

What are they used for – They were developed for running, but they can be used for any activity and all of the indications are that they can improve posture, foot comfort and a range of other human conditions.

Are they a gimmick – They look like one, however the scientific evidence behind them means that they might just be the start of a footwear revolution.

Are they expensive – Yes
With a bit of luck the price will start to drop, but these beauties cost as much as a serious pair of hiking shoes, and they are not cheap.

For more about these and some other unusual shoe types refer to the lower section of this http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/styles.html page. You can also find info about them by performing a search.

Thinking about buying a bed!

2010-11-15T10:21:00.000Z

Having mentioned about changing my content I am going to start by revisiting an old and frequently written about topic, namely beds.

Beds and mattresses are very important because we spend around one third of our lives sleeping and recovering from the exertions of the day. This means that a bed is the most frequently used item of furniture in everyone’s life and it also means that it gets a lot of wear and use.

For these reasons the purchase of a bed requires considerable thought and it should see a fair sum of money being spent on it.

A bed has two key components, the bed frame and the mattress and these can be purchased separately or, more commonly, as a single “all-in-one” unit.

When it comes to the frame, this needs to be strong and sturdy and, if independent of the bed, it may outlast the life span of two or more mattresses.

Divan beds tend to be sold with the frame and mattress as a single package where both are fabric covered and match one another. However, if the mattress is bought separately it can be selected independently of the frame and this “can” offer more options.

Best type of be and mattress

There is of course no best type. It is a matter of personal choice and individual preference, however getting the right bed “for you” requires a bit of research.

Today there are many different types of bed and mattress and this provides a lot of potions for the prospective buyer.

The first choice is probably whether or not to get a divan, with its extra drawer space, or select a standard frame – which can allow the bed to be lower.

The mattress is the big choice though, and this should take priority over every other consideration. The first thing that you need to do is choose the largest sized bed/mattress combination that will fit into your bedroom. If you can squeeze a king size rather than a regular double, you should do so. The result will be that two sleepers can sleep independently of their movements affecting the person in the bed and that is always a good thing.

The next big choice is one of mattress filling and there are many options. Spring based mattresses remain the best sellers, but you should consider some of the foam based materials like memory foam and latex and look at the composite mattresses where tow or more systems are combined.

Finally, if you want an orthopedic quality mattress you will have to pay more money. These beds have a higher build quality and use the best materials and workmanship, but this comes at a cost.

The other thing that you should try to do is to try out some mattresses in advance of making a decision. All stores should let you lay down on a mattress and this is a good way of determining if the bed works for you. Don’t do this for 30 seconds or a minute. Try to lay down in a stationary position for a least 20 to 30 minutes and see if you start to feel like going to sleep. If you do not, or if you feel a need to change your position, it suggests that the mattress may not be ideal for you.

If you want more on the mattress options available, you will find some summaries on http://www.orthopaedicmattress.net/mattresstypes.html and these should give you an insight into what is available.

Changing my content

2010-10-26T11:22:00.000+01:00

Because what can be described as an orthopedic product is very open to debate I will be expanding the scope of some of the products that I describe in this blog.

Up to now most of the posts covered things like beds, mattresses, chairs, shoes and other “obvious” orthopedically related items. What I will now do is expand that limitation to include other useful and health related aids.

My main reason for doing this is that it gives me more to write about and a broader scope of product types. However, since many aids, services and devices are used by similar people with different challenges there remains a connection between my original intent.

Exactly what I will cover in future is something that I am unsure about, but I think that all manner of different health and mobility related aids, from wheelchairs to utensils that assist in the kitchen, will be included. I will still make posts about ergonomic chairs, comfort shoes, memory foam mattresses and the like, but there will also be some other interesting things thrown into the mix.

Without formulating any definitive ideas, here of some thoughts of products to be covered.

Sauna and hydrotherapy treatments and equipment.

Mobility scooters, strollers and wheelchair.

Different types of bathroom aid from rails to seats.

Supports and strapping for injury and recuperation.

Chairlifts and other means of transportation like evac chairs.

Easy hold devices that could include cutlery or other kitchen devices.

The list can go on and on, so I will just have to see what I come up with over time.

Healthy shoes - what to look for

2010-10-20T12:20:00.001+01:00

Very few people wear good fitting healthy shoes. There are a number of reasons for this and they range from a general ignorance about foot health through to prioritizing fashion and style above comfort and wear-ability. Price is also a factor with short lived fashion shoes often being cheaper than the less fashionable comfort style footwear.

What is and is not a good shoe will always be open to debate, however there are a number of design traits that ensure that some shoes are superior to others. To find out what the different parts of a shoe are called and how they work together you can take a look at this http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/anatomy-shoe.html sheet. This lists the various pats of a shoe and describes what they do and how they interact with the rest of the shoe or boot. This will give you an understanding of how much thought and attention goes into designing and manufacturing a good shoe.

Paramount to being a good shoe is having a good build quality. This relates to the materials used and the way in which they are put together. Not too many years ago manmade fabrics were seen as inferior to leather and suede, but modern synthetic materials can be waterproof, breathable and stylish and many comfort and orthopedic shoes are made from materials of this type. Even tough walking and hiking shoes use manmade fabrics that keep the water out whilst letting water vapour escape.

Good linings and plenty of supporting padding are very important for any good shoe. Parts of the foot like the arch need to be adequately supported and the heel needs to have a strong high counter that does not bend or flex. The padding plus a good insole will act like a suspension system evening out poor surfaces and preventing shock waves shuddering up the body.

The inside of the shoe should also be smooth and free of seems and any other projecting parts of the construction. Having a shoe that rubs or is abrasive towards any part of the foot is not only uncomfortable, but also potentially damaging. Good linings are very often a measure of a high quality pair of shoes and good shoes should never make your feet, legs or back ache.

Most quality shoes, particularly those tagged as being orthopedic, will have the upper made from many separate sections. Each of these parts has a particular function and combining one or more of these parts can dilute the shoes overall performance. As an example, many fashion shoes do not have separate toes boxes and this can result in the important toe box losing its shape and contorting or constraining the toes in an unnatural way. Toe boxes need to give the toes adequate space to move.

Ultimately the best way to select a pair of shoes is to try them on, test them and make sure that they still feel good after several hours of wear. Regrettably this is of course never possible, so arming yourself in advance with as much information as possible about well designed and made shoes is the next best alternative. Good shoes never come cheap!

Rollator and walking aids

2010-10-05T14:29:00.002+01:00

Getting around under our own steam is something that most of us take for granted until age, and accident, or some kind of illness turn mobility into something that we no longer take for granted.

However, when walking starts to become a problem there are a number of options available.

The first is to use a simple aid like a walking stick, but this may not suffice and then we are left with a number of options that range from using a wheelchair or mobility scooter to walking with the aid of a frame.

Not too many years ago these walking frames, commonly called “zimmer frames” in Britain (after the main manufacturer of the product) were primitive. They also had a reputation associated with “immobility” – the opposite of their intended use.

Over the intervening years many advances have subsequently taken place. These changes have seen these walking frames adopt wheels and even brakes and now they are a genuine mobility aid that can be used outside the home every bit as much as within it. This page http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/walking-frames.html will give you an idea of what is currently available, but in a nutshell here are the main choices.

The old style four legged frame that you lift and move forward is still going strong. But there is a slightly more advanced version that has small wheels on its front legs which allow it to be pushed rather than lifted forward.

Today this type of frame has though been largely superseded by the new style “rollator” walking frame.

The rollator has either 3 or 4 wheels on each of its (3 or 4 legs) and these wheels mean that the rollator can be pushed with ease. Large tyres mean that this type of walking aid can be used outdoors and on a surface that is not perfectly even.

Brakes allow the rollator to be stopped, or for its speed to be controlled, and handlebar grips give it a feel of control and stability. Other attributes that set it apart from the old style frames are carrying compartments and a seat area that lets the person using it stop and rest at any time.

The time to buy a bed

2010-09-13T11:09:00.000+01:00

With the holiday season now over the next couple of months tend to be one of the boom periods when it comes to buying or replacing furniture and household goods.

By November, people are thinking about Christmas, but September and October tend to see increases in the sales of sofas, chairs, tables and of course beds, mattresses and other items of bedding.

For this reason prices are often down, the manufacturers and retailers “up” their advertising and promotion, and importantly there are many good deals to be had.

Right now memory foam is the big seller. There are a number of reasons for this that range from its fashionable popularity to some very cheap prices, but these should be reasons to make you think twice rather than to buy impulsively.

Visco elastic memory foam has a number of very valuable sleeping properties, however these properties are rarely found on the budget mattresses that you see in clearance sales. A good memory foam mattress will cost you hundreds of dollars or pounds Stirling, so don’t be fooled by a $99 or £99 price tag. A mattress of that quality will not be true memory foam.

If want a memory foam mattress. Look for something that gives you a foam density and check out the manufacturer and even the country of origin. The quality of memory foams varies massively and in the world of bedding you usually get what you pay for. In other words, if you buy cheap you will end up with a low quality sub-standard product that will quickly lose its ability to recover and its lifespan will be limited.

Also, don’t assume that memory foam is best, this is a fallacy. Some people like the unusual feel of memory foam, but others (like me) hate it.

Spring based mattresses have been around for a long time and there are many good reasons for this. They recover well, have long trouble free life spans and importantly they have a tried and tested existence. This means that they are well developed, available in all forms and price ranges from the budget to the executive and they remain the overall best seller in the bed industry.

This page http://www.orthopaedicmattress.net/mattressselection.html will give you some thoughts to ponder on bed selection. But the best advice is to research before you buy. Look at the different types of mattress and bed frame that fall within your budget. Then evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. If you can test any out then do so, but don’t just lie on a bed for 2 minutes, this will tell you nothing. You need to spend at least 30 minutes on a bed to get any idea of its suitability and even this amount of time will only give you the most obvious of guides (e.g. if the bed is too hard or soft).

Back support

2010-08-20T10:04:00.000+01:00

For anyone who has problems with their back, the thing that they are constantly aware of is a feeling that some kind of support is missing. If you do not have a back problem then this is a hard sensation to imagine, but if you do you will appreciate this description.

Many people who suffer from lower back discomfort often sit with one of their arms bent round behind their back and “slotted” into the lumbar zone. In effect they are creating a lumbar roll or bolster with their arm. This has the effect of reinforcing the important inward curve that a healthy back should have at this position. Even so, it makes a restrictive and awkward sitting position and one that can lead to a “dead arm”.

The alternative is to buy a lumbar roll back support cushion. This is a cushion, often semi-circular in profile, that sits comfortably in the space that is created between the base of the back and the backrest of a chair. By doing this it helps maintain the natural curve of the back and in so doing it can alleviate back discomfort for a lot of people.

Other types of back cushion can work for other complaints and seat cushions in the shape of a wedge can adjust the angle between the thighs and the body. This type of support can sometimes help those who suffer from sciatica which can be worsened by having too acute a angle between the back and the legs.

To find out more about back supportive cushions you can visit http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/Back-cushions.html where you will find a summary of the different types of back aids that are available.

Orthopedic supports - sleeves and braces

2010-08-12T12:19:00.002+01:00

Once upon a time when you injured a hand, wrist, elbow, ankle or any other joint, you were either wrapped in plaster or bandaged up.

Both of these options still have their place, but there are many purpose designed supports and braces that can take the place of, or supplement, these “old style” treatments.

Modern elastic supports can be used to offer compression and warmth to damaged knees and shoulders whilst still allowing them to have a degree of motion. Many of these aids can be used for recovery from some kind of injury, rehabilitation from medical treatment or, increasingly, for use in sport as an active way of reducing the occurrence of strains, sprains and stress injuries.

The variety of these aids is now vast and you can explore some of the many sleeves, pads and braces that available online at http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/supports-braces.html and many other resources.

Basic supporting aids include elastic sleeves, but more complex and rehabilitative options have frames that include hinges and different ways of setting the allowable range of movements that a joint can have. This results in a very large number of support-type options being available.

To make matters even better, these sleeves can be removed, washed, and many are made from none itch antibacterial fabrics that are comfortable to wear and do not irritate the skin.

These supports have become so popular that many high level athletes wear these contraptions all the time when they are performing. Partly to protect themselves and partly because they can make a joint or collection of muscles feel protected and secure.

The most common of these aids are the numerous sleeves that can be worn around the knees and the thigh compression versions that keep hamstring muscles warm and feeling secure.

Medical supports include those used for the neck after, e.g. whiplash damage, and hernia belts that can keep everything in place whilst a patient waits treatment in hospital. These aids not only help in recovery, but they significantly reduce patient pain which can be quite severe.

Selecting the right kind of mattress

2010-08-02T11:18:00.000+01:00

Selecting the right kind of mattress or bed has never been easier and harder.

Easier, because the variety and options of choice make it far easier to get exactly the right kind of mattress for any individual.

Harder, because the choice is so wide with so many differing alternatives that you are literally spoilt for choice.

This poses the question, “which type of mattress is best?”

The answer of course is different for everyone. Some people like firm beds whilst others like soft cushiony ones. Some like natural materials and others are happy with synthetic.

So how do you decide on the right mattress for you and your body, your sleeping positions and the inclusion or exclusion of a partner.

The best solution is to start by researching what is available. You can start by scanning something like www.healthandmobilitystore.com/composite-mattress.html and acquainting yourself with just what is available.

Nest you need to narrow things down a little. There are a lot of choices and you need to exclude or dismiss some of them.

Once you are down to some real possibilities you can go to a store and check them out. The way to do this is by laying down on a bed in the same position that you would at home. Stay there for as long as you can. 5 minutes will tell you nothing, but 30 or more minutes should indicate if the bed is genuinely to your liking. If it is not, try something else.

This is very much a trial and error process that is all about eliminating some mattress types and favouring others.

If there are two of you this needs to be a joint process and you may need to make a compromise if you both have different favourites.

Other than that, do not get influenced by a sales person, or the technology that goes into a bed. Ultimately all you want to do is sleep on it. If it feel right then buy it, if it does not then move on.

Revitalising a mattress with a topper

2010-07-30T15:41:00.000+01:00

This heading may be slightly misleading because you cannot turn an old and lumpy mattress into a new and bouncy one. However, mattress toppers can improve mattresses and change the way that they feel. Here is what a topper “is” and “can do”.

Firstly, a topper is placed over the top of a mattress – hence its name. It can be held in place by straps or elastic corner bands and its position is secured when the cover sheet is placed over it.

Toppers can be made of all kinds of fillers and this is where their advantages come to the fore.

Most people buy fairly cheap beds that use springs, normally open coil springs where each spring reacts with its adjacent counterparts.

Adding a topper, see http://www.foammattresstopper.org/choosing-topper.html, to a mattress like this can add an additional bedding performance material to the bed.

Many toppers use one of the memory foam materials as a filler, with their slow recovery springyness and unique trait of shaping around whoever is sleeping on them.

The outcome of this is that a spring based bed can be transformed into something more like a multi material bed composed of both springs and memory foam. Beds like this cost a lot of money and the use of a topper can make this transformation very cheap indeed.

The reason why you would do this is not to make your mattress last longer, but to give it the qualities of a superior bed, but at a fraction of the price.

Toppers are not only filled with memory foam. They may have fillers of feathers and down, regular foam or organic materials like wool. This opens up a lot of choice and it means that you can really customise the way that your mattress feels.

Back support chair

2010-07-07T16:49:00.002+01:00

In the UK at least, the reverse side of the rear page of many magazines like TV guides are covered with advertisements for what are described as “back care” chairs.

Like the term “orthopedic chair”, “back care chair” can mean a number of diverse and vague things, but what it is really suggesting is a seating system that offers the best type of support to the back. For this reason these back-care chairs are often straight backed with a high seat, good supportive arms and bolster either side of the backrest.

This kind of design is comfortable, it reduces stresses and strains on the back and the higher height of the seat makes them easy to sit into or stand up from.

Most back care chairs have visible legs. This is primarily because of the slightly higher seat height. By having open legs (and not a completely solid base) the chair looks lighter and its extra height is disguised.

Variations on back supportive seating

Most of these chairs look pretty similar, but some will have recliner features. These may see a padded leg rest project out from beneath the seat, or a “full recline” where the backrest tilts too. When this is the case there as subtle levers hidden in the arms or on the outside of the chair’s main body.

The riser recliner chair is the other popular option. This type of seat is motorized and tilts the padded seat forward in an angled way that helps someone stand up or sit down. This kind of chair is great for those who find standing and sitting hard, but they are comfortable into the bargain. Chairs of this design can be called lift and tilt chairs and this page http://www.orthopedicchair.net/lift-chair.html will tell you more about them. A further source of information can be found at http://www.riseandrecline.co.uk. Both sites have pictures and descriptions of how these aids work and they can be very useful to the elderly or those who have trouble getting around.

The final type of back chair is the high backed model which is normally an aspect of all back-care chairs. The high back gives superior support to the upper back, neck and head and can help avoid a stiff neck if someone falls asleep whilst in a seated position. If offers greater purchase when getting up or sitting down and, in reality, is a good feature of any and all chairs, be they designed for health or comfort.

Healthy Shoes - what to look for

2010-06-21T09:26:00.000+01:00

There are many different takes on healthy shoes. Some people call them orthopedic shoes – although this description may be reserved for special needs shoes, whilst others call them “comfort” shoes.

Ultimately what these shoes are really about is having a design, build and fit that is aimed at doing a job rather than looking good. Shoes of this type will have a roomy fit, no internally projecting stitching or junctions of material, low heals, breathable fabrics and good adjustable fittings to guarantee that the shoes “do” fit comfortably.

Most healthy, comfort-fit, or orthopedic shoes will come in varying width fittings. This is important as it is not only the length, but the width of people’s feet that vary in size. Wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause discomfort and abrasion injuries, so getting the right width of shoe is very important.

Other features of these shoes include good soles with plenty of padding to cushion the feet. Ultimately the soles of the feet, although small in area, take the entire weight of the body and this makes a resilient well padded shoe sole absolutely vital.

Removable and replaceable insoles are another good attribute of healthy shoes. A removable insole makes it possible to replace an older insole as its functionality starts to fail, or to obtain an insole with particular properties, for example being made of gel.

The variety of orthopedic type shoes that are now available has increased dramatically over recent years, as has the aesthetics of these shoes. This has been helped by the current fashions that regard a chunky, heavy looking shoe as being modern and stylish.

The down side to this is that there are now many “comfort” stylized shoes that look healthy, but are simply designed to look that way and lack the real traits of this kind of shoe.

To inform yourself about these shoes visit http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/orthopedic-shoes.html.

Always look for what a health product actually does rather than being persuaded by its visual appeal, or its fashion credibility.

Full body pillows

2010-06-10T17:35:00.001+01:00

These are special pillows that are intended for the whole body rather than just the head. This type of pillow is long and narrow, typically about one to one and a half feet wide by 4 feet to 6 feet in length, although bigger and smaller sizes may be found.

Most body pillows are rectangular in shape, although some are shaped like a snake in a figure “S”. Some people find this shape more comfortable to sleep on (or around).

Body pillows can slept on in a number of different ways and by different styles of sleeper. However, they are most popular with people who sleep on their side. For these people the pillow helps to support the side of their body and it acts like a bolster.

Exactly how this kind of pillow is used for a normal sleeper is really a matter of personal choice, however many people do find them beneficial to their sleep.

Body pillows can be a great asset for any woman who is pregnant because the pillow will help to support the body and relieve pressure whilst in a lying down posture.

Other users

Other people who may gain from using a body pillow are those who suffer from muscle or bone pain, those who are very overweight and anyone who has had surgery (or is recovering from an injury) and wishes to be propped/supported in a specific sleeping position.

Because a body pillow is more cushioned and softer than a mattress it can prove very comfortable for those who like very soft beds, or easily suffer pressure sores etc.

For more on these unusual bedding products go to http://www.orthopedicbed.net/body-pillow.html where you will find details of these and other pillow, bed and mattress types.

Wheelchairs and sport

2010-06-01T09:52:00.001+01:00

Not too long ago the expression “disabled” started to become politically incorrect - for one thing many people who were pigeon holed under this title were not fond of it, and for another many felt that they were more than capable of doing anything that a “so called able bodied” person could do.

Superficially the last statement sounds somewhat optimistic, however, taking sport as an example, with adaptations, some simple changes in rules, and Hi-Tec equipment, someone in a wheelchair can play pretty much any and all sports.

Developments in wheelchair design

Some 30 to 35 years ago wheelchairs were generally all the same, the only real difference was that some were motorized and powered by battery, however times, and wheelchairs, have moved on.

In the 21st century you can buy not just a range of different sports wheelchairs, but wheelchairs designed for specific sports like badminton, tennis or track racing. Wheelchairs like this have strong lightweight designs with unbelievable dexterity, manoeuvrability and handling. In short, they have a range of features that make them perfect for playing all kinds of different sports.

There are many different wheelchair sports and they range for static sports like archery and shooting to high speed impact sports like basketball. You can even get wheelchairs for participation in dancing!

An example – basketball

The wheelchairs that are used for basketball are light, strong and protective with leg and lower body guards that wrap around the front section of the wheelchair. Their large rear wheels slant outwards (from top to bottom) and this gives them better stability and balance. They will usually have one (or a par of) additional castor wheels at the rear of the chair to prevent it from tipping during impacts and direction changes.

Interestingly, wheelchair basketball has become a popular sport in its own right and it is now played by able bodied teams who use wheelchairs only when participating in the sport.

Basketball is of course just one of the many sports that now have specially adapted wheelchairs designed for them and you can read more about the different chair types and the sports that they allow someone to play at - http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/wheelchair-sports.html. This page has links to sections covering track racing, static sports and even extreme wheelchair sports. It will also tell you abut standard and motorised wheelchairs and provide some information about obtaining a wheelchair through the British National Health Service.

Bathroom aids and utilities

2010-04-29T13:57:00.002+01:00

Some of the more interesting, ergonomic and cleverly designed people-use products are those produced for mobility disabled people.

These may be individuals whose age, state of health, or injury due to an accident have either incapacitated them, or reduced their independence. Products designed for these people are aimed trying to ensure that everyday activities, challenges and pleasures can be enjoyed without the assistance of a carer, or a third party.

Some of the most innovative products of this type can be found in bathrooms as the bathroom is an essential part of everyday life. It is also a challenging and potentially dangerous room, and one which can benefit greatly from some of the many aids that are currently available.

Examples of special bathroom facilities include toilet lifters, or toilets that rise, descend, and even have a shower cleaning and warm air drying function.

Shower seating, which can be foldable, dismountable or mobile, can remove the need to stand up whilst in the shower and grab rails, located in strategic positions, can make this cubicle a safer place.

Steps, seats and plinths can be added to a bathroom to make sitting and standing less of an effort, or to reduce the height that needs to be ascended when, e.g. getting into a bath.

When it comes to bathing, walk in baths with their own water tight doors and fast filling and emptying tubs can make getting into and out of a bath easier. You can even get lift chairs or hoists that can lift someone in and out of a bath with ease.

There is a massive array of bathroom gadgets available and you can get a better idea of what some of them are at http://www.healthandmobilitystore.com/bathroom-aids.html. Even for those with a limited budget, rails, bars, cushions and soft non-slip floor covers can make the bathroom an easier place for the less able person to negotiate.

Other possible aids include moveable toilets (commodes), transfer lifts and wash basins with ergonomic taps that can be operated without the need to grip or twist them.

Some further feedback on a gel bed

2010-03-10T15:47:00.000Z

I have added a further feedback review of the “Kaymed gel nest ultra 1800” bed and mattress that we bought almost one year ago. You can see my latest observations and feedback on this sub-blog - http://gel-beds.blogspot.com/2010/03/kaymed-gel-nest-ultra-1800-latest.html.

Unfortunately (for me) my general conclusion is that this is perhaps not the best buy that I have made, however my experiences of sleeping (or not as the case may be) on this mattress are subjective. Regrettably I think that a medium to firm contouring mattress like the Kaymed gel version is not suited to either my body or my sleeping habit! Why I do not know, but it has been an expensive lesson to learn.

Orthotics

2010-01-20T15:31:00.002Z

Here is a summary of what orthotics are about taken primarily from wikipedia.

Orthotics is is concerned with the design, development, fitting and manufacture of orthoses. These are fittings that support or correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities of the human body.

The word orthotic is frequently used as an adjective (e.g. an orthotic insole) or equally as a noun (the orthotic) to describe or name a foot-supporting device or insole. It can also be used to describe a more complex device used to control joint motion.

The term “orthotic” is derived from the word "ortho", meaning to straighten. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, professionals engaged in the field of orthotics.

Those who benefit from a complex orthosis may have an orthopedic condition such as scoliosis or an injury like a fracture - or they may have sustained a physical impairment, or have a congenital abnormality such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy.

Differing orthoses may directly support the lower limb, upper extremity, or the spine. Orthotics proper involves devices made by technicians and fitted to the patient usually by a specialist in foot health such as pedorthist, orthotist, podiatrist, or chiropodist.

An orthotist, for example, is a professional who works by prescription from a physician to ensure the proper application of an orthosis to an individual who might benefit from the orthosis; this is essentially the practice of orthotics.

Care in the proper fit of any device that applies force to the body must be taken to ensure good results and to prevent unwanted problems from an orthosis that is too tight or otherwise uncomfortable.

Some nations require professionals engaged in orthotics (or those manufacturing and fitting orthoses) to be licensed or acredited.

There are of course simple orthotic inserts (in the form of insoles) that can be bought over the counter or online.

Buy an orthopedic product

2010-01-05T13:53:00.000Z

With Christmas out of the way and the excesses of the season leaving many overweight, now is an ideal time to buy some kind of supportive product, be it a contouring bed or a pair of good orthopedic shoes to walk that extra weight off.

Now is also a good time to buy because the sales are on and it is possible to get some great deals on healthy lifestyle products like supportive mattresses, beds, chairs and shoes. These products always experience a lull over the Christmas period, so retailers are always keen to sell at this time and have lots of offers. For some ideas about beds see this site - http://www.orthopedicmattress.net.

Another reason to think orthopedic

Putting on extra weight and getting older are two realities of life. One you can do something about directly, but the other is an inevitability of living. Even so, you can look after your body by making an effort to stay in shape and to keep your walking, sitting and sleeping postures as healthy as possible.

One way to do this is to buy ergonomic furniture that works with (and not against) your body and encourages a healthy alignment of bones and muscles.

Chairs that keep you in an upright yet comfortable posture are ideal and beds that use one of the more recent technological materials like visco elastic memory foam are also good. These beds are cheaper than ever at the moment and their benefits to good sleep and a refreshed start to the following morning are well documented. Check out the internet for the best deals.

Finally one way of getting into shape, encouraging good posture and getting some pleasure at the same time is by walking. Good walking or hiking shoes make walking easy on the feet and have ergonomic designs that support, cushion and assist the feet in the bending and weight bearing motions of walking. Now is a good time to buy.

Gel bed review

2009-12-09T14:38:00.002Z

I have added another post to the sub-blog about the composite gel - memory foam - spring bed (by Kaymed) that I bought earlier in the year. This http://gel-beds.blogspot.com/ will take you to the latest report where you can get my current thoughts on this bed.

Hiking jacket, boots and wicking T shirt

2009-11-23T15:57:00.001Z

Several weeks have passed since I purchased the hiking gear and I have now worn the boots, jacket and T shirt in a variety of weather conditions and on some very variable terrain.

The jacket really is great and the more that I wear it the more impressed I am by it.

The manufacturer is Keela and it really does live up to “and beyond” my expectations. At the time I thought that £100 was a lot of money for this garment, but now I feel that it was excellent value for the money. Only last week I found yet another hidden pocket that I previously did not know existed and the clever way that you can access the various pockets whilst keeping the jacket in weatherproof mode is clever rather than (as I suggested before) gimmicky.

The boots do not score quite as highly as the jacket in my book. They are made by Salomon and, whilst they are very comfortable and waterproof – and for that matter breathable, I do have some reservations about them.

The main problem is the quality of the grip in muddy, leafy or slippery underfoot conditions.

This problem may in part be of my own making as I bought these boots based on a recommendation from the seller that was based on my description of their anticipated use.

At the time I did not envisage doing much walking in the rain, let alone walking in 3 or 4 inch deep mud, or a slippery mush of leaves and dirt. I think that it may therefore be possible that my application of these boots is harsher than their use is made for, but even so their inability to give me a good footing when my wife’s similar (and by another manufacturer’s) boots do, gives me some disappointment.

The big problem with these boots is that the tread clogs up very easily and consequently becomes a smooth slippery surface. With my wife’s boots the smaller gaps between the projecting tread seem more able to eject any collected debris as she walks. This means that I sometimes feel my foot starting to slip on terrain that she has a vice like grip on. All told “slightly” disappointing.

The wicking T shirts are excellent. They do the job very well and, in combination with the jacket, it is very easy to manage your bodies heat so that you never feel too hot or (so far at least) too cold.

Hiking boots and wicking clothing

2009-09-29T14:45:00.001+01:00

Since my last blog I have worn the hiking boots that I mentioned a few more times and they really are good.

Wicking T shirts and Jacket

I also got a couple of wicking T shirts which, to my surprise, really do seem to keep you dry. I think that they are just very good at drying or evaporating sweat, however, whatever the mechanism, they do work.

The key feature to these T shirts is the materials that they are made from which are all man-made fibres and this means that they cannot absorb water. This also means that when you sweat the water molecules cling to the fabric (rather than absorb in to it) and then evaporate away quickly. Simple, but effective.

An expensive waterproof and breathable jacket that I got hold of has yet to be put through its paces properly. I have been out in it in light rain and it certainly kept me dry, but it has yet to face a down pour. This winter should give me ample opportunity to test it to its limits.

The breathable properties of this jacket are something that I have yet to be convinced of. I have no doubt that, if I simply wore the jacket on a bare body, it would wick sweat and water vapour away, however quite how this process can work when someone is wearing several layers of clothing is something that I need to experience to believe.

This jacket is interesting in several other ways too.

It is an “all bells and whistles” jacket with vented areas in the underarm zone, adjustable cuffs, several pockets for phone, maps etc, a wicking lining, some kind of “snow” protector, a very adjustable hood that folds away into the collar, various tighteners and pulley straps, double zips that allow the top of the jacket to be zipped up whilst the bottom is open, and separate zips and cuff attachments to enable a fleece to be fitted (zipped in to) the inside of the jacket. The list goes on, but how much is gimmick and how much is usable clothing technology remains to be seen.

I will come back to this jacket and no doubt the boots and T shirts as I discover and experience more.

Walking footwear

2009-09-18T11:50:00.000+01:00

I recently bought a pair of pretty expensive hiking boots and it is interesting to contrast the wearing characteristics of this kind of footwear with regular good quality shoes.

Naturally these boots are more robust than regular shoes and they are weatherproof and breathable. However, they are also much more structural in their construction and this means that there is, e.g. very little flexing of the sole.

Initially this seems almost at odds with sneakers or trainers, but the value of this soon becomes evident when you wear them on rough or rocky terrain.

Very little of the harshness of the surface actually reaches the foot and the combination of a tough and comparatively inflexible sole along with a higher upper makes them very supportive.

So far my experience of this kind of boot is limited to a couple of walks, the longest being eight or nine miles up hill in one direction and down in the other. But the walking surface was variable, a bit of road, a bit of rough bridle path, and fields, so there was a good mix of things to experience.

The other feature of this kind of footwear (that I touched on) is the high upper that extends to the point just below the ankle. This takes away a lot of unnecessary muscular and balancing work from the muscles in the feet and lower leg and consequently makes walking less stressful. Put simply you can walk for longer without tiring, strain, or injury.

To obtain more information about this (and other) kinds of shoes and boots take a look at the info site http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/hiking-boots.html or do a search on hiking boots or walking shoes.

If you are thinking about buying some serious walking footwear, inform yourself first before you spend your hard earned money.

Gel mouse mat

2009-08-26T15:15:00.002+01:00

A while ago I mentioned a gel mouse mat that I was trying out and, having had it for about 3 months, I am now in a better position to comment about it.

The mat is basically circular, but with one side flattened out and including the addition of a raised gel pad.

You rest your wrist, or ball of the hand, on the pad, thus elevating the level of the fingers as they wrap around the mouse.

I have persisted with this mat since buying it, but I honestly cannot say that I find it any more comfortable or easy to use than a regular flat mouse mat. In fact I would go as far as to say that it can actually make my wrist ache if I am using it for prolonged periods of time.

I assume (possibly incorrectly) that there are some ergonomic and muscular advantages to this kind of set-up, but in truth I have not checked out the facts.

Whether or not I will continue to persist with this mat I have yet to decide, but in my case at least I do not feel that I have gained any real advantage from using it.

Some feedback

2009-07-10T13:58:00.000+01:00

It is a couple of weeks since my last entry, so I will give some feedback on the Kaymed gel bed that is now a few months old.

I am sure that this bed offers good support and assists my back, however my sleep patterns are still often disrupted and I do sometimes awaken with mild back discomfort or tightness.

I have also started experimenting with a contoured memory foam pillow which I “do not” find uncomfortable and which clearly does have a profile that works for my head and neck. It does take some getting used to and it is no good if you like to rest an arm under the pillow, however I do think that it has helped my sleep. The one that I am using is pretty firm, but it is also short on depth which is ideal for someone over 6 ft using a standard double length bed.

Other orthopedic products that I bought were the chair, gel mat and gel foot insoles, the latter of which have hardly been used, but which have still disintegrated.

Pretty disappointing given that I have provided them so little use and only weight about 185 pounds.

The multi adjustable chair is superb and I remain convinced that this item has dramatically improved my back’s health. I am also convinced that, aside from the height adjustment, the most important feature of one of these chairs is the seat tilt function. This function places you in a position where you automatically lean forward and support your own back and where the weight of your upper body is adequately supported on the chair. I would recommend this style of ergonomic chair to anyone.

The mouse mat is odd. To be honest I find the projecting gel support more of a hindrance than a help, even though I have persisted with it for a couple of months or more. This, no doubt, has ore to do with personal preference that anything else.

Disrupted sleep

2009-06-15T13:31:00.000+01:00

Having spent a night away sleeping in a different bed I have become all too aware of firstly, the value of a good mattress and secondly, the difficulties of adapting to a less supportive mattress than the one that I am accustomed to.

The mattress that I slept on on Saturday is one that I have used a number of times and it is fairly new, hardly ever used, and a super king in size. Even so the change from the multi material body shaping mattress that I sleep on every day to this spring-only mattress was enough to make sleeping a difficult activity.

This highlights two factors. The first is that I had clearly adapted to a less than ideal bed support and the second is that it would appear that once you are “spoilt” with a good mattress it becomes difficult to get a decent night’s sleep on anything less. This is a minor problem in itself.

Also interesting was a conversation that I had with my in-laws (whose home we were visiting) and who both believed that a firm to hard bed was the best for the back and who both genuinely do sleep their best on a very firm mattress.

What this highlights is not the fact that some people are misinformed about beds and mattresses, but rather that we all like and adapt to different types of bedding and that what works for one, or is even recommended by “experts”, may not be right for someone else.

For my part I would certainly recommend a bed with some kind of memory foam, Latex foam or Gel structure as a top level comfort and support level, but this is not to say that it would work for everyone.

It is also interesting to note how many people are dissatisfied with very expensive beds by Tempur, Kaymed etc when so many other owners (like me) will extol the virtues of these beds and argue that their higher cost is money well spent.

Mattress topper - foam variety

2009-05-21T12:12:00.001+01:00

I have mentioned mattress toppers on a number of occasions, but previously without first hand experience of sleeping on one. I can now correct that and give some direct feedback.

About 3 months ago we bought a foam mattress (firmness rating 9) to cover a stop gap between getting rid of an old mattress and buying a new bed.

Needles to say this “concrete like” mattress was firm beyond belief and we both found it impossible to sleep on. With a new bed on the way it was pointless replacing this mattress, so we opted to buy a foam topper to cover the new bed delivery period and soften up our sleeping surface during the interim.

We paid about £25 for the topper (very cheap) and it took the form of a series of quilted sections with a soft foam like filling. The topper was (is) about 1 inch in thickness when not compressed.

Our overall view was that the topper did soften the sleeping surface, however with the mattress in question it was still close to intolerable and we were elated when the new bed arrived.

You can get some additional detail about toppers on this - http://www.foammattresstopper.org informative site about bedding.

So what is the verdict?

I would make a strong assumption that, with a rock like mattress (such as the one we suffered with), a good quality mattress topper of a fair thickness (i.e. at least 1.5 inches) would enhance the sleeping characteristics. Indeed, I would guess that a memory foam topper would probably convert such a mattress into a very good sleeping surface. Our “minimal spend” was not however enough to do this, although it should be added that anyone who likes a firm mattress/topper may well love it.

Electrically operated chairs

2009-05-05T11:53:00.000+01:00

We have been checking out some cars recently as we intend to buy a sports car for weekend use asap.

The model that we are interested comes with almost everything as standard and this, amongst other features, includes electric seats.

I bring this up because it is amazing how many cars now include power seat options. The vehicle that we are considering has 8 way electric adjustment of both seats and the seats are even heated.

Why then are such adjustments not included in home furniture.

Some living room suites have recline actions and extendable leg rests, but normally only to fixed positions and with no power assistance.

Dining chairs and have no movable parts and only ergonomic office chairs and chairs for the elderly that “rise and recline” have any motorisation. See http://www.orthopedicchair.net/ for examples of these.

It seems that in the home furnishing market an appreciation of orthopedic chairs and chairs with some level of angle, height and tilt adjustment is rare, if not unheard of!

This also becomes confusing as the cost of motors and remote control operation is now so low and affordable. Indeed, when you combine this with the increased awareness of spinal problems, care for the back, and generally looking after our posture, it would seem that there is a potential market out there.

I would guess that many people would happily pay for an electrically adjustable arm chair and that many would feel the same way about a “high use” office chair. So why are these products not widely available, particularly in the USA where “motorised everything” seems the norm.

Toppers and Kaymed bed

2009-04-28T12:09:00.001+01:00

I will not reproduce the article here, but the information contained within it can be found at http://www.foammattresstopper.org and some advice on selecting the right mattress topper can also be found at http://www.foammattresstopper.org/choosing-topper.html. This second link summarises the different filler materials and the sleeping properties that they are claimed to offer. It will act as a guide to anyone considering buying a new topper.

It is important to remember that a mattress topper, which may cost almost as much as a new cheap mattress, will not revitalise an old, damaged or “past its best” mattress.

Never buy a mattress topper in the hope that it will save the cost of replacing an existing mattress that no longer functions as it should.

The Kaymend Gel Nest Ultra 1800

I have added a new post to the mini blog that I set up to offer feedback on the Kaymed bed that we purchased a short time ago. The first “proper” review of this bed can now be found at http://gel-beds.blogspot.com.

New entry to the Gel bed sub-blog

2009-04-20T22:15:00.001+01:00

I completed the collection of orthopedic products purchases at the weekend when the Kaymed gel nest ultra 1800 bed was delivered about 5 weeks after the initial sale. (This was in accordance with the delivery information that we were given.)

I now have the multi adjustable ergonomic chair, the gel insoles, the gel mouse mat and finally the gel/memory foam/pocket spring bed which makes the “health” based buying spree complete.

As of now it is too early to evaluate the bed on comfort, “sleepability” etc, but the bed blog has a new entry at http://gel-beds.blogspot.com which covers the basics in terms of appearance, size etc.

The mouse mat too has seen little use over the last few days as I have been out of online (and indeed all IT) action since Wednesday last week.

The chair continues to function well and I will add an entry to the blog that I set up for that purpose in another few days or so.

Gel mouse mat

2009-04-07T20:57:00.003+01:00

I have now purchased the third of my gel based products, namely a mouse mat.

I had looked at the many dozens available online through the likes of Amazon, but I saw a plain black one in a UK trade-only store called Makro at £4.99 plus Vat (currently 15%), so I bought it there and then.

Price wise this was around half of what I have previously seen these mats go for and, although plain in appearance, it is a circular mat in keeping with most of my previous mats.

The gel bit forms a protruding soft rest that the wrist sits on and one of the ideas behind it is that it is not only soft and spongy, but also cool to the touch. Having not used this kind of “support” style mouse mat before I can already sense that it may take some getting used to, however I suspect that it is a good idea, so I will persevere.

Given the fact that I have already set up 3 new blogs for the other orthopedic products that I have purchased (and that I am currently reviewing), I will confine my ongoing reviews of the mouse mat to this “main” blog. This means that I will periodically mention the gel mat and its suitability (or otherwise) to my mouse and PC use in this orthopedic blog.

My ergonomic task chair

2009-04-06T13:41:00.000+01:00

I have added another review (after a couple of weeks of use) of my task chair. It can be found in the separate blog that I set up for this purpose at the url that is mentioned in previous posts concerning the chair, bed and gel insoles that I have bought.

I will add some further thoughts on the insoles later this week, but I still await a delivery date for the biggest and most expensive item – the Gel bed.

Frankly, this bed cannot arrive soon enough as the foam mattress that we are using at present is as hard as concrete and I am finding all aspects of its performance disappointing to say the least. I have long had concerns about foam-only beds and this (budget) one has so far confirmed all of my misgivings about these spring-less materials.

More to come soon.

Ergonomic chair and gel mouse mat

2009-03-27T16:11:00.001Z

The orthopedic style ergonomic chair that I order and will be evaluating has now been delivered. I have written an initial assessment of my thoughts on the chair and will keep an ongoing dialog going regarding its merits or otherwise.

As of now, I am initially pleased with the chair and its functionality, but to find out more you will need to see the blog that I set up for that purpose which is located at my-ergonomic-office-chair.blogspot.com.

This means that I have now received, and I am using, both the gel shoe insoles and the ergonomic chair. Only the mutli material Kaymed Gel Nest bed is still outstanding and delivery of that item is still some 3 weeks away.

Continuing with the Gel theme, I am intending to buy a gel mouse pad in order to take my complement of gel based products up to 3!

It is not the actual mouse pad that is made (filled) with gel, but the wrist rest that projects out and above it. Ideally I would line this component to have a smooth plastic like surface, but most gel pads seem to favour a fabric finish which I would rather avoid.

Having looked around, there is an extensive selection of Gel pads at Amazon, but I will check out some stores first and see what their prices and selections are like before I buy.

Gel products reviews

2009-03-22T12:00:00.001Z

I have now received the gel insoles mentioned in the last blog and expect delivery of the ergonomic chair over the forth coming days. The bed is still some 4 to 5 weeks away.

You can keep up with my evaluation of these products by looking at the on-going review blogs that I have set up for them at:

http://my-ergonomic-office-chair.blogspot.com
http://gel-insoles.blogspot.com
http://gel-beds.blogspot.com

Naturally, the blogs will become more active once I am in possession of all of the products.

As these products are all prompted in some way by my on-going back problems, and my efforts to alleviate them, I should also point out that I am also seeing a chiropractor with a view to sorting out the mechanical problems with my spine, hips (and “apparently” other parts of my structural anatomy).

The moral to all of this is simply that, when you think that you have a physical problem, go and see an appropriate specialist immediately. Do not wait 4 years, get a back assessment followed by some physiotherapy and, when that does not work, “try to live with it”. The problem gets worse and worse until, like me, you become compelled to do something after long term damage has occurred.

I had an accident which clearly did some damage and I have been too slow in my efforts to find a suitable specialist to resolve the injury. This becomes nothing short of ridiculous when you look at the number and variety of therapies and treatments available ranging from osteopaths and chiropractors to the more alternative treatments like acupuncture.

All of these therapies have a place and it is a question of deciding which one works for you, and then giving it a try.

Testing out some new products: i.e. a bed, an ergonomic chair and orthotic shoe inserts

2009-03-12T16:21:00.003Z

I am going to try and make some of the future posts to this (and other blogs that I run) more pertinent by providing some ongoing reviews covering a number of health and orthopedic related products that I have just purchased. There will also be links to useful websites and special blogs that I have set up for the review purposes (see near the bottom of this post).

The three main products that I have bought and intend to review are a gel bed, an ergonomic office chair and some orthotic shoe inserts.

At a first glance this selection may appear to be a somewhat eclectic mix, however they are most definitely not and here is why.

All of these products are concerned with body posture, the support and cushioning of the back and spine, the avoidance of damage to the body by impact stress, and the reduction of relaxing (and the collapsing) of the body’s skeletal frame due to bad posture.

To sum up there significance to me, my lifestyle and my activities, here are some facts: (and these will be duplicated by the majority of the population)

1. The bed: We spend over 1/3 of our life in bed and preferably asleep. This is the time when our body recovers and rejuvenates and it is the only time when we are (or should be) completely relaxed. It is a health critical item.

2. Ergonomic chair: Most of us work in an office (be it remotely or at home) and we spend prolonged amounts of time sat in a chair. This chair will be responsible for supporting the spine, preventing pressure point and facilitating our ability to use a PC, phone or other office tool. Again, this can account for almost 1/3 of a typical week day’s duration. It is a health critical item.

3. Orthotics: This terms simply refers to shoes insoles and shoe inserts designed with support, correction, posture and impact reduction in mind. If we are not in bed and not sat down, then the other 1/3 of our lives is spent on our feet making the shoe critical to good health.

I will end this post by giving a very brief summary of each product that I will be reviewing, starting with the bed.

1. The bed is a high end unit (Kaymed - Gel Nest Ultra 1800) with a UK retail price of £1725 in a double divan twin drawer format. It uses the latest technologies and combines pocket springs, high density visco elastic memory foam and gel. It is hand made and originates from Ireland. The blog review for this is at http://gel-beds.blogspot.com.

2. The ergonomic chair sells under various brands and I paid £230 for it in its cheapest (brandless form). I suspect that £400 will be closer to the typical retail price. This chair has 9 different comfort and posture setting adjustments. The idea is that you customise it for your size, weight, body shape and comfort requirements. The blog review for this is at http://my-ergonomic-office-chair.blogspot.com.

3. The orthotic shoe inserts cost me around £11 (inc p & p) and I ordered them online. They are for general use, e.g. walking, sitting etc, and are not designed for any specific problem. My main interest in them is for their impact absorption abilities and because they are another gel based product. The blog review for this is at http://gel-insoles.blogspot.com.

The background behind all of these product purchases is general health spurred on by continuous lower back problems resulting from an accident several years ago.

Testing out some new products i.e. a bed, an ergonomic chair and orthotic shoe inserts

2009-03-12T16:21:00.000Z

Buying a new bed

2009-03-09T21:33:00.001Z

We are currently formulating our final thoughts on the purchase of a new bed with a maximum budget of around £1,500 ($2,250).

We have been checking and trying out numerous different options over the last 3 weeks and have been laughed at numerous times as we lie, for prolonged periods of time, on different beds in different show rooms. This is of course the only way to really check out a bed and to do anything else is frivolous and meaningless.

What we have looked at

We have tried to take in every bed type, manufacture approach and technology currently available and this has seen us lie on beds with a 6,000 pocket spring count, beds with numerous layers of visco elastic memory foam, latex mattreses and mattresses with a combination of different build materials.

Possibly the most interesting (and expensive) bed that we have encountered is one that combines a good pocket spring count with both visco elastic memory foam and gel.

Gel is comparatively new and seeks to remove the “hot sleeping” tendencies of memory foam through a very different composition.

The gel is not a viscous material, but rather an open box construction of a “rubber like” material and it proves very comfortable to rest on. We have tried one particular model of this bed a couple of times and it is the current favourite to take our money (or credit card details).

My main reservation with this bed is an earlier attempt (by Silentnight beds) to market a similar product which, based on my internet research, proved something of a failure. The beds did not perform, got complaints and were removed from the market. Not very reassuring.

The manufacturer that we are looking at is however one of the more cutting edge, top end and R & D focussed companies, so hopefully the product will be reliable. We intend to make a decision over the next few days.

Our alternative to this gel, visco and spring bed is a pocket spring and memory foam bed from a national retailer. Their price is much lower and the bed seems solid and comfortable, but it is perhaps less inspiring (if a bed can be such a thing.

I will continue the tale as events (and a sale) develop.

Gel Insoles

2009-03-01T17:42:00.003Z

I have been looking at the various shoe insoles available online with a view to buying a set for some cheap and poorly padded “doc martin” style shoes/boots that I bought a month or so ago.

The choice is almost overwhelming and many of the options are intended to deal with a specific foot problem, walking difficulty, or “stance induced” back ache.

I my case it is simply comfort that I am interested in as the shoes in question become hard and uncomfortable if I walk in them for more than a few hundred yards at a brisk pace.

In short they feel like the “impact shock” of walking is producing shin splints. Not too pleasant.

Having scoured the internet I have determined that my preference is for some gel soles that come in a single size and that are trimmed to fit the shoe in question. It all sounds a bit “make-shift”, but I have ordered some and I will soon find out if they do the job.

Prices for these things seem to run from under £10 to £30 and the composition and claimed performance vary significantly. Some of these insoles are designed for high impact sporting use, whilst others are more for standing around! I have opted for something in between.

Once I have got them and tried them out I will provide some feedback on their performance and comfort. In the meantime, here are a couple of sites that provide information on, and sell, these things - http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/orthotic.html and http://www.dreamyfeet.co.uk/anti_shock.htm.

Ergonomic chairs

2009-02-25T11:06:00.002Z

I have been carefully looking at affordable ergonomic task chair options as I am in desperate need of a replacement for my current “office” chair. This is also going to coincide with a new mattress or bed, so I will no doubt add some observations about those over the next few days.

For anyone unsure of what I am talking about, a task chair is one designed for a certain task (typically working at a desk and using a PC/laptop) and the ergonomic element relates to the design being sympathetic with the human body (skeletal structure, muscles etc).

All things being equal, I would buy either a chair that is only available in Canada, but which has memory foam cushioning, a chair by ergo human (that costs about £450, UK) or the Herman Miller Aeron, which is generally regarded as “the dady” and that has a price tag to suit.

Unfortunately, my budget does not extend to either the price ranges or import costs of these chairs. Even so, I have managed to find a company who source from a local manufacturer and who can give me a fully functional (although bland looking) ergonomic chair for $199 + VAT (15% tax).

The chair looks like most basic office chairs with a padded (but waterfall style seat) and backrest. The big difference is in the adjustable attributes which number 9 separate areas of personalisation. These range from seat slide, tilt and height to inflatable lumbar support and adjustable armrests.

In short the chair looks pretty grim, but as I will be sat on it and not looking at it, the level of user personalisation (plus its cheap unbranded price) puts it at the top of my list.

I will make a decision over the course of the next few days and will no doubt offer some first hand observations if I buy it.

For some info on what to look for in an ergo-chair, see these tips, http://www.orthopedicchair.net/ergonomic-task.html.

Diabetic shoes

2009-02-17T11:22:00.000Z

Continuing the orthopedic shoes posts…..

In addition to regular “well designed” shoes, comfort fit shoes, and orthopedic insoles, another shoe type often referred to is the diabetic shoe.

Sores and scratches on the feet can be particularly troublesome for some diabetes sufferers and they can lead to very serious problems if they remain untreated, so the best way to avoid such difficulties is by wearing the right kind of shoes.

Diabetic shoes simply use all of the different “good design and manufacture” practices available. This means that they should provide a shoe that is comfortable, avoids pressure points and abrasions to the foot, and prevents the kinds of foot damage that can be problematic to those with diabetes.

The qualities of diabetic shoes vary, but typically include all of the following:

Plenty of room for the toes to move and wiggle.

No projecting internal seams that can rub or wear against the foot.

Lots of padding and cushioning at the sole and against the shoe’s upper.

Good ventilation and breath-ability properties.

Multiple fastening points (i.e. 2, 3 or 4 fastenings) so that the shoe can be made secure without strangling the foot. Hook and loop fasteners are common.

Good and well padded heel support.

A flexible sole that encourages foot flexing during walking.

An insole structure that is accommodating of the foot with good arch support.

A number of companies specialise in this kind of shoe and good diabetic shoes should be able to take separate insoles which allow the exact (perfect) fit to be achieved.

Most diabetic and orthopedic shoes look just like most other regular shoes. Naturally, cheap and low quality manufacture and materials are not suitable and neither are high heels.

Shoe buying tips

2009-02-06T16:45:00.000Z

Following on from the last post on shoe insoles, here are some shoe buying tips/facts to be aware of.

You should think about, consider and request information concerning each of these items if you try-on or intend buying some good shoes.

Fit

Many people actually have different sized feet, so if this applies to you try on shoes separately (in alternative sizes) for each foot. If you feel that you would be best advised to take a different size for each foot, see if it is possible to order a “none matching” pair of shoes through the manufacturer. Many good quality internet sites, stores and manufacturers will allow this.

Shoes should be available in width as well as length sizes. All good quality orthopedic shoes will have separate size scales for this breadth measurement and you should try the same length size in different width sizes.

Style

Bad shoe selection generally results from allowing style to rule over comfort.

Do not buy shoes with excessively high heals, tight narrow straps, hard insoles or un-breath-able materials.

Options

Go for shoes with plenty of foot depth. This allows the addition a removable insole. This insole can be customised to you and will add comfort and longevity to the shoes.

Do not be afraid to try shoes on and, if they are for regular wear, sport or walking, keep them on for several minutes. Your feet need time to adjust to them. Try loosening them tightening them and walking around in them. Then imagine how they would be feeling after 8 hours of wear.

Finally, do not buy a pair of shoes unless you are confident that they are the right fit. Badly fitting shoes can not only affect your feet, but also your legs and back.

Shoe insoles

2009-02-02T13:18:00.001Z

Anyone can and should get and try out a number of different shoe insoles. Insoles are critical to the performance and comfort of a shoe and they come in an array of different types and materials.

The oldest types of shoe insole were made from leather or cork and they provided a basic shaping to the contour of the foot, but little else.

Over recent years, more advanced materials have been used for this purpose and they include memory foam, latex and gel.

All of these materials have seen numerous applications in the orthopedic product market and particularly in beds, bedding and mattresses.

Memory foam insoles are made from the same visco elastic memory foam that is widely promoted for mattresses and if offers the same properties. This means that it can shape and mould itself to the unique shape of every foot. This is particularly significant because very few people have identical, but laterally reversed. feet.

Most people will have one foot smaller than the other and there may be some shape differences too. An insole made from memory foam will cater for these differences and balance the feet out.

If you buy a memory foam insole you need to get the highest density (i.e. kg per square metre, or pound per square inch) as possible. Low density foams may feel soft and padded initially, but they will soon fail to recover there original profile and will become hard and of little use.

Latex insoles offer the same kind of padding and supporting solution as memory foam, but they have been around for a longer period of time. Natural latex is superior to the cheaper synthetic variety.

Gel insoles are increasingly common and they come in a variety of types.

Some gels are in a liquid form and will squash and compress easily, whilst others are set and offer a less “fluid like” movement.

Some gel insoles have a profile that takes account of the arch of the foot and some offer what is described as a massaging sensation. It is also possible to buy gel foot cushions that can be positioned under a certain part of the foot, or to buy heel cups or heel pads. You can even find special toe separators that ensure that one toe does not roll over another.

For more information on insoles, special shoes and the like, see the pages linked below to these two sites: http://www.ggfootcare.co.uk/store/content_cat/15 and http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/orthotic.html. They cover shoe inserts and information about them.

Improving sleep

2009-01-30T13:02:00.000Z

There are numerous ways to get to sleep and these can involve herbal remedies, sleeping tablets and aromatherapy. However, getting good sleep is no just about being asleep, but rather about the mind “and body” getting rest that rejuvenates and recharges.

The key to getting the best solution to this challenge is in finding the best surface on which to sleep and there are plenty of alternatives.

In previous posts we have looked at different mattress types ranging from conventional spring based systems to the more recent emergence of memory and Latex construction foams. But there may be an opportunity to change and improve a bed’s sleeping surface without replacing either the bed or the mattress.

Mattress toppers

A mattress topper is an additional layer of cushioning material that is laid (or fitted) on top of an existing mattress. The topper can act to add an additional degree of softness, or it can take advantage of the body moulding properties of a material like visco elastic memory foam.

Most mattress toppers vary in thickness from 2 to 4 inches with the thicker toppers being superior.

The topper will usually have corner fasteners that allow it to be tied to the mattress and most manufacturers produce their mattress toppers in sizes that duplicate standard bed/mattress formats.

The most popular topper material is memory foam and this allows a regular mattress to be converted into the equivalent of a composite spring and foam mattress with firmness and support combined with profiling around critical areas like the lower back and shoulders.

One point to bear in mind is that no mattress topper will compensate for a failing mattress. If the mattress is “dead”, then a new topper alone will not improve your sleep.
However, a good firm mattress working in combination with a Latex or memory foam topper can be a good solution to improving poor sleeping.

Mattress toppers are also available in natural wool, standard foam, duck and goose feathers/down and a mix of materials. You should always look for a good quality of ticking and side stitching as these will usually be indicative of the topper’s overall quality.

Collagen supplements

2009-01-26T09:35:00.001Z

One of the building blocks of bone is collagen which our bodies produce in varying quantities and types e.g. type I, type II etc. However the rate and types of natural collagen that we produce diminish as we get older.

Collagen has long been recognised as important to the body and there are claims that it can keep joints flexible and manoeuvrable, remove joint aches and even relieve or eradicate joint pain.

For these reasons there are a number of products available that can either, encourage the body to increase its production of collagen, or supplement the body directly with extra collagen.

Most of the medications that increase the production of collagen (naturally) require a prescription by a doctor, however there are some we known (and less well known) branded collagen supplements that you can take daily. These supplements are taken orally and it is claimed that, over a comparatively short period of time, they will ease a number of “aging” problems.

A further claimed benefit of these collagen substitutes is that they can also improve the appearance and feel of the skin and other soft tissues of the body.

Like many similar rejuvenating products, hard evidence is hard to find, but there is an increasing consensus of opinion that these collagen supplements do have a value in terms of bone and joint health.

If you want to find out more, here (http://www.howtodothings.com/health-and-fitness/a4460-how-to-choose-collagen-supplements.html) is a page with general information about collagen supplements, and here (http://www.silverwellbeing.com/protocol-collagen-tablets.php) is a page that covers one of the leading brands of collagen tablet. This brand is often sold on TV and is probably the cheapest collagen supplement tablet around.

Mattress options

2009-01-21T16:48:00.001Z

I have included several posts extolling the virtues of memory foam and Latex foam in respect of mattress construction, but what I have probably not done sufficiently is point out that most good mattresses are often of a composite construction.

This means that they use a number of different materials and support approaches to try and get the best of all worlds.

With cheap economy mattress products this can be a bad thing, however if you are prepared to spend money on a mattress, the composite products can be very good.

Here are the main bed or mattress construction types that you are likely to encounter:

Open coil

This construction sees springs that run in rows and are interconnected. Some systems use a continual spring system which has a single wire from which all of the springs are produced. This is regarded as the cheapest and least technologically advanced spring or coil system.

Pocket sprung

This construction sees every individual spring enclosed in its own fabric pocket and working independently of the other springs. This system is regarded as the most advanced of spring based systems.

N.B. The higher the spring count (i.e. the more and smaller the coils), the better the mattress will be.

Memory foam

This material reacts to weight and heat and shapes itself around the human body in highly supportive way. It has superior orthopedic properties.

Latex foam

Is similar to memory foam, but with more of a bounce and an immediate return to its regular profile once it is vacated by a sleeper.

Composite mattress

This kind of mattress usually sees a pocket sprung mattress construction as a base, but one with 3 of 4 inches of memory foam or Latex foam added as a contouring top layer. This allows the structure and firmness of a conventional mattress to benefit from the shaping and contouring of visco elastic memory foam.

These mattresses offer the best performance and come in many grades and qualities that can, at the top end, run into thousands of dollars (pounds Stirling).

Orthopaedic mattresses

2009-01-19T11:05:00.002Z

The first thing to point out with “orthopaedic mattresses” is that the term itself is one which, whilst conferring a specific meaning, has no definition in legal or product registration terms.

It is simply a way of defining a type of mattress where the expectation is that the design and construction are aimed very much at healthy support, particularly for the back and joints.

From this it becomes obvious that there is no such thing as a single type of orthopaedic mattress, but rather lots of different products, all of which offer some kind of support benefit beyond that of a cheap budget bed.

What kind of mattress falls into the orthopaedic category

In medical terms, up to a couple of decades ago, any doctor referring to an orthopaedic bed or mattress would have been talking about a very firm sleeping surface. This kind of mattress was thought to be superior to the cushiony and soft alternatives.

Today things have moved on, both in terms of what the medical profession proposes and in terms of the available options.

The fist big change is that the firm mattress is generally thought to be a thing of the past. Most practitioners now believe that a good orthopaedic mattress should mould itself to the unique contours of each individual’s back rather than offer a direct resistance.

This is a big change and it has largely been brought about by the advent of some new mattress materials that allow this body contouring ideal to take place. You can get more information about various types of mattress at this www.orthopaedicmattress.net site.

Body contouring mattresses

Although conventional mattress bodies comprise springs (often called coils), these mattresses have a limited ability to adapt to the shapes and weights that rest on them. Their structural reaction is to resist any weight with an upward force that, whilst offering some moulding, is comparatively limited.

New mattress materials like the visco elastic memory foam and the similar Latex foam are very different. These materials are able to shape and mould themselves to any body shape that rests upon them and they are deemed to offer a superior level of support.

Why this kind of support is good

The reason that so many doctors and health experts like these products is because their contouring characteristics enable them to allow the spine to adopt a natural profile while asleep.

Firm beds have a tendency to straighten the back which is not desirable. The spine has what many describe as a “double S shape” and the best kinds of sleep and rest retain the back in this profile.

It is for this reason that memory foam mattresses are seen as being so supportive and why it is though that sleeping on this kind of surface can help those with back problems and prevent those who do not have them from seeing them develop.

Here is another site with some information about orthopaedic mattresses - www.mattressinside.com/orthopedic.html.

What is a chiropractor?

2009-01-18T13:55:00.002Z

I am very tight on time at the moment, so rather than writing an original post I am sampling some small segments of the information on Wikipedia defining and describing a chiropractor. i.e. what they are and what they do. You can see the full page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and particularly the spine. A therapist called D.D. Palmer founded chiropractic approach to treatment in the 1890’s.

In many countries and cultures chiropractors are considered to be a complementary or alternative therapy although this is now changing and they are being acknowledged as a part of main-stream health care.

Osteopathy is an alternative treatment approach to those with similar complaints and is viewed in a similar light.

What Chiropractic treatment does

Chiropractic treatment focuses on manual therapy including spinal manipulation and other joint and soft tissue manipulation. Its hypothesis assumes that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the body's function and its ability to heal itself. A chiropractor aims to correct this by making specific adjustments to the positioning and alignment of the bones.

Treatment techniques

The main form of treatment is spinal manipulation, which chiropractors refer to as "chiropractic adjustment". There are several schools of chiropractic adjustive techniques, although most chiropractors mix techniques from different schools.

Many other procedures are used by chiropractors for treating the spine, other joints and tissues, and general health issues.

All chiropractors require a qualification and medical registration in order to practice, but how and where this is done will depend upon the regulations of the nation in question. In both the UK and USA regulation is very strict and chiropractic treatment is often suggested by doctors, GP’s, MD’s etc.

Memory foam car seats

2009-01-13T09:52:00.002Z

Unusually, I watched a TV show called “pimp my ride” yesterday evening where the highlight of the show (for me) was the construction of new car seats using the visco elastic memory foam material.

The reasons given for using memory foam for this purpose were highly valid and that led me to run a couple of searches today to see if I could find any commercially available car seat products using the material.

Surprisingly, even when checking the likes of Maserati and Aston Martin, I was unable to find a seating option offering this material. This becomes even more surprising when you consider the amount time we spend seated and being buffered around in cars and the advantages that a memory foam seat would offer.

Unfortunately I was left to conclude that no motor manufacturer, small or large, budget or prestige, offers such seats and it would seem evident that there is a major “whole” in the market for any future company that does.

For anyone wanting the addition of memory foam to their car’s upholstery, there are some options. The main one it to buy a full sized seat cushion. This is really an extra memory foam layer that is contoured and profiled to the shape of a car seat and you can see one at http://www.houseofbath.co.uk/productcache/HOB/BO7616/BL096DL.html.gz.

Memory foam back wedges and support cushions are the other options, but these are really “make shift” attempts to make another product fit into the car seat market place.

If there is anyone involved in car interior design reading this, you should seriously consider both memory foam and latex foam as future motor vehicle seat padding materials. This material would not only improve the quality of car seating, but also be a good marketing feature.

Orthopedic – a definition

2009-01-12T09:49:00.000Z

Despite writing numerous posts on this blog, I have never defined what orthopedic actually means, which is perhaps the first thing that I should have done. So here is a definition courtesy of thefreedictionary.com.

“The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments.”

The word would appear to be derived from the French language and, in English, can be spelt as either, orthopedic (the more usual American way), or orthopaedic (the conventional English UK way).

I always adopt the more simplified spelling that omits the pointless ”a” for the simple reason that I believe in phonetic spelling – which is ironic as the very word itself is a contradiction of it own meaning and should really be spelt “fonetic”.

If you want a series of definitions, descriptions and explanations, try http://www.answers.com/topic/orthopedics this link.

Many of the products that I highlight are not only orthopedic in their intended injury/pain/discomfort target, but very much aimed at orthopedics concerned with the spine. This is probably because, aside from injuries, problems with the back and spine are the most frequently occurring orthopedic difficulties and they are also the ones where improved posture and support have the biggest benefit. There are also more products aimed at this sector than any other and, with the spine having such a broad influence on skeletal health, this seems logical.

Orthopedic office chairs

2009-01-07T17:23:00.002Z

Orthopedic chairs (sometimes referred to as ergonomically designed chairs) are most often purchased and specified for work related purposes. They are of course also available in different formats and intended uses for the home.

Orthopedic office chairs are designed and conceptualized to provide comfort and support which, in turn, improves the efficiency and productivity of the workplace. This is an important to point to remember when considering the long term benefits to a business of healthy employees. These chairs offer comfortable seating that relaxes the body and promotes a good and healthy alignment of the spine.

Within the office environment the main function of an orthopedic chair is that of good posture when using office equipment or undertaking tasks like typing.

The big advantage of the orthopedic office chair is that it helps prevent or alleviate back problems, lumbar and joint difficulties. These can result from sitting for prolonged periods of time which is never advisable.

Good office chairs should have multiple modes of adjustment that can include: back rest angle and height manipulation, seat height variation and, ideally, lumbar support adjustments.

Having these adjustable features not only allows a chair to be customised for a particular user, but also to be tailored for a specific use or job operation. i.e. It is customised for both the user and the task.

Anyone looking to buy a good orthopedic office chair should seek out one which is described using terms like: “possess tilt locks, posture lock controls, back height adjustment and multi-task controls” etc.

As a general guide, the more variable and inclusive an orthopedic office chair’s modes of adjustment are, the better the chair is likely to be.

The cost of orthopedic office chairs varies dramatically, but good supportive and customisable chairs can be purchased for under £70 or $100 (US). That said, if a chair appears to offer more than its price would seem to be capable of representing, the chances are that the chair is “too good to be true”.

Always equate what you are getting with the price that you are paying and if something looks too good to be true, the chances are that it is.

See these two sites, http://www.orthopedicchair.net/orthopedic-chair-office.html and http://www.theofficebackcarecentre.co.uk/ offer more information for those who are interested.

Orthopedic car cushions

2009-01-04T15:29:00.002Z

There are a number of orthopedic cushions, all of which offer different potential benefits including the easing of discomfort and support of various sections of the back.

As most easy chairs have ample padding and many office chairs have adjustable settings, most of these wedge and lumbar cushions are for car seats. The main reason for this is the inability to alter position when driving and wearing a seat belt and the need to have a comfortable and supportive posture.

Many people spend more than one hour of unbroken travel everyday in a car seat and this can lead to back problems if the seat is not adequate.

The types of orthopedic car supports available range from lumbar rolls, that are tubular sections of compressible material (and that fill out the curve in the lower back), to ring cushions that offer support and protect the base of the back, the thighs and the buttocks.

Wedge shaped cushions are popular, as are travel pillows that support the head and neck and prevent stiff necks and shoulders for sleeping passengers.

Adding a car seat support accessory enables the customisation of the driving posture for any user and it can make driving more pleasurable and less stressful on the body.

Other car seat additions include beaded back rests that comprise a net or mesh of massaging beads. These accessories are claimed to relax muscles and improve air flow (preventing sweating) from the back area. Some drivers (and passengers) like them, whilst others find them uncomfortable.

For a few examples of the car seat accessories, see this http://physiosupplies.com/acatalog/Orthopaedic_Pillow_Cushions_Mattress.html site.

Orthopedic dog beds

2008-12-30T16:50:00.000Z

Amazing though it may seem, one of the top selling orthopedic products the world over is the dog bed, or at least the orthopedic version of it.

I find it quite amazing that so many pet owners are prepared to buy an orthopedic dog or cat bed, but do not see the relevancy of doing the same for themselves and their families.

This becomes all the more pertinent when you consider that the spine of a dog or cat is retained in the most natural of horizontal postures during nearly all aspects of the animals life.

With humans this is of course not the case. Our spines are held vertically and operate in what appears to be an unnatural and badly orchestrated mechanical way.

Even so, orthopedic pet beds are big business and, although comparatively expensive compared with their human equivalents, do offer some benefits to the pampered pets.

What to look for in a pet bed

Pretty well all of the guides that you would apply to a good human bed or mattress apply to a good dog or cat bed.

Contouring and support are paramount and materials like memory foam are ideal.

In the wild, animals see or make bedding areas that are spongy and compressible. A manmade bed should replicate this and visco elastic memory foam pets beds are probably the best.

Removable, washable and ideally waterproof covers will extend the life of the bed's mattress and they will also allow the removal of odours, dirt and accidents.

Here is a site, http://www.buddybeds.com/ with some dog beds and more information for those who are interested.

Orthopedic and ergonomic pens

2008-12-20T11:36:00.002Z

In addition to the more obvious orthopedic products that aid, assist, or relieve some symptom or problem, there are some “task easing” products that you can buy.

One example of these is an orthopedic and ergonomic pen.

These pens (or biros) come with an extra thick (and usually padded) barrel that allow them to be held without having to contort the fingers too much.

These pens have a diameter, just above the nib, that may be 3, 4 or 5 times the thickness of a regular pen and they often taper out towards the writing point to prevent the fingers from slipping down the pen.

This thickened bolster area is usually made from a “soft to the touch” material that requires a minimum of pressure to grip it, and the pens are usually light, but also well balanced.

Most pens have an easy push mechanism to retract the pen nib when not in use.

These pens can help anyone with arthritis, tendonitis or RSI and they are often available from high street stationers, book stores and other specialised outlets.

You can see some examples on http://www.twenga.co.uk/offer/5805/2410169220951738428.html.

Cervical neck pillow

2008-12-18T11:28:00.001Z

A cervical neck pillow is a special pillow that is contoured to correctly support the head and neck during sleep or rest.

These pillows are rather strange in appearance as they tend to have a “T” shape. They also allow for two different sleeping postures. Namely, back sleeping and side sleeping and this contributes to their unusual profile.

The shape of these pillows often incorporates a projecting wedge like support for the neck and a central arced cradle area for the head. This design is ideal for those who sleep on their backs.

Some orthopedic neck pillow designs will include a separate area of the pillow (usually to one side) for people who sleep on their sides, or who change positions during the night. This again contributes to a strange appearance, but one that is based on function.

You can see an example of this type of pillow on http://www.necksolutions.com/cervical-neck-pillow.html.

The reasons for using these types of pillow are obvious. Sleep and comfort in the bed are enhanced and the neck and spine are retained in the most natural and healthy of alignments.

The cradle shape of these pillows also prevents the head from rocking or rolling and the alignment of the spine from the neck to the base of the back is kept straight.

The alternative to this type of pre-shaped pillow is a memory foam pillow where the weight and warmth of the head and neck should, ideally, create this cradle effect for anyone using one.

Shoulder supports

2008-12-14T15:12:00.002Z

With most of the products that I write about I have had some first hand experience of their use, however in this case I have not – although I nearly did.

My reason for covering shoulder supports is simple. I dislocated my right shoulder a few years ago and had a significant amount of muscle deterioration over the three and a half weeks that I was in a flexible brace.

Treatment for dislocated shoulders seems to vary greatly. Some doctors go for the immobilisation option (like mine) whilst others think that this approach is counterproductive and weakens the muscles to too great a degree during recovery.

All I can say is that I required over 4 months of physio to get my shoulder movement back and that it was a long and very slow process (though not really painful). On the positive side, I have had no problems since.

Shoulder braces “may” offer either, a protective option if the shoulder is not immobilised and restricted use is encouraged immediately after the accident. Or they may provide some protection against over rotation of the joint whilst the muscles build up their strength again after enforced immobilisation.

EITHER WAY, YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMENDS.

In my case I was advised against using one, simply because my doctor told me that I would become dependant upon it and see it as a crutch. He felt that once you start using these braces you never feel safe without them!

The problem for me was that the scare stories that I was given by a Pakistani doctor, during a check up at the hospital, made me reluctant to even consider squash or badminton again (both of which I played regularly).

He told me that I had a 95% chance of reoccurrence if I tried to engage in theses sports – even once my shoulder was back to full strength. (And dislocations are incredibly painful and something that, once experienced, you want to avoid at all costs.)

I now think that using a shoulder brace may have had some benefit for me if worn “only” to participate in these sports and I regret not having tried one out.

If you want to see what some of these products look like, you will see some examples here, http://www.physioroom.com/catalog/Shoulder_Supports/2042.html and http://shop.bupa.co.uk/general_supports/universal_shoulder_support-c56919p56930.html , but do consult with a doctors or orthopedic specialist and get their professional opinion first.

One of the big arguments in favour of these products is that they are used by professional sportsmen and women and, in the UK, rugby players often use them after, or to protect against, a shoulder injury.

Memory foam applications

2008-12-12T14:06:00.000Z

Moving on from some general information about memory foam, here are a couple of popular applications for this unusual product.

Bedding

The most frequent application of memory foam is in bedding and primarily mattress and pillow products. Both of these items are ideal applications for memory foam as they offer what are often described as orthopedic properties of support to the person using them.

Their big advantage is the ability of the viso elastic material to support the person sleeping (or resting there head) in a balanced way that avoids excessive pressure or stress. Conventional bedding materials have a tendency to leave key skeletal parts of the body bearing most of the body’s weight, e.g. the shoulders and hips, and this in turn can result in aches and pains. Memory foam can help to avoid this.

Shoes

Another increasingly popular application of memory foam is in the in-soles of orthopedic and diabetic shoes – see: http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/material.html. Here again, the visco elastic memory foam allows a constantly variable level of support to be provided by a material that avoids pressure points.

This has the benefit of potentially reducing the likelihood of calluses, hammer toe problems and many other foot and toe difficulties. In the case of diabetic shoes this can be a major advantage. But it will ease the comfort and aid the support level of any shoe, orthopedic or otherwise.

Picture panel loud speakers

2008-12-11T17:03:00.002Z

This is a novel, but potentially “audio” and “home cinema” revolutionising product that I saw prototyped on TV several years ago.

The concept is a simple one

Instead of having large and bulky loud speakers sat on stands and taking up room, you have flat panel speakers that can be disguised to look like pictures. paintings, or flat un-obstructive panels on a wall.

The speakers are only a couple of inches wide, but can have an expansive frontal area.

The speakers work by using ELAC NXT exciters (see http://www.1388.com/articles/elac-panel-eng/index.html) that oscillate at high frequencies to produce sound.

Sound Quality

How good the sound quality is, I do not know, and it seems hard to believe that the audio quality could equal serious hi-fi products that require large boxes and powerful drivers.

Even so, this is a technology that has the potential to shape and change the speaker systems that we use and, with the options to buy them inclusive of artwork, they look set to have a broader appeal.

Current speaker sizes seem to range from just under a half a metre square, to approaching a metre square.

At this moment in time the marketing of these products seems fixed on their dual functionality as art and audio equipment.

Visco elastic memory foam

2008-12-10T13:06:00.001Z

I have mentioned Visco elastic memory foam in a couple of posts so far. This material is both popular and scientifically supported when it comes to a number of orthopedic product applications, so I will expand on it here.

Memory foam came about as a result of the NASA space program and has since found its way into a number of products.

The obvious examples are bedding items like mattresses and pillows, but memory foam can also make an appearance as an insole material in orthopedic shoes and its applications are increasing all the time.

What memory foam does

For anyone who has never seen memory foam, it has too unusual characteristics that are linked together.

The first is that it moulds itself to the shape of any object that applies pressure to it - and it does so with an absolute minimum of displacement to the zones adjacent to the body causing the pressure.

As an example, this means that if you place your hand on a piece of memory foam and apply a force, and then remove your hand, you will see an imprint of your hand in the foam.

This gives memory foam a unique ability to conform to the shape of objects resting on it, but without causing a ripple effect or even a distortion of the foam a few inches to the side of the resting body.

The second characteristic of the foam is the “memory quality” that sees the foam return to its original shape a few seconds after the weight is removed. It is as if the foam creates a temporary imprint of anything placed upon it, but an imprint that disappears "before your eyes" once the item is removed.

In a future post I will touch on the orthopedic benefits of this “moulding property” of visco elastic memory foam. In the meantime, this http://www.here-be-dreams.com/bedroom/memory-foam.html link will tell you a little it more.

Orthopedic pillows

2008-12-05T10:46:00.002Z

Whenever you see an orthopedic product with an apparently high price tag there is usually a reason for it. Very frequently these products will have something to do with back or spine support - and this may be more important than you think.

Most orthopedic complaints originate from the back and 8 out of 10 people will suffer from a back problem at some time.

Given this worrying statistic, investing in certain orthopedic versions of specific products may enable you to avoid being in that 80% “problem” bracket and keep you “back problem” free.

Pillows

One example of a good, and not too expensive, product that can benefit from orthopedic inspired design is the common pillow (the one used in a bed).

A good pillow should cradle your head, take the pressure away from the top of the spine, and be comfortable.

If you wake up with a stiff neck or twinges in your neck or shoulders, it may be your pillow that is to blame.

Traditionally duck and goose feather and down pillows were the popular choice followed by compressible foams, but you can now choose from some more advanced materials.

Memory foam pillows

Memory foam, also called visco elastic foam, is a complex manmade material that offers what many believe to be a superior level of orthopedic support to normal pillows.

These pillows adjust and shape themselves to the head and neck profile of the person resting on them. They also have a property that causes them to return to their original shape when not in use.

The big advantage of a memory foam pillow is the way in which it supports the head, neck and top of the spine. It does this in such a way that the spine is correctly aligned. This is not always the case with some other materials that may over compress, become lumpy, or lose their compressibility and load bearing resistance over time.

Memory foam pillows come in a standard pillow shape, or pre-profiled to the contour of the head and neck and prices are now quite low.

To find out more, take a look at these two pages http://www.putnams.co.uk/neck_pillows_orthopedic_memory_pillow.htm
and
http://www.orthopedicmattress.net/pillows.html
both of which will tell you more about these products.

Also see this directory of blogs called,
Blog Directory

Orthopedic Bed Wedge

2008-12-03T16:57:00.002Z

An orthopedic bed wedge is a "comfortable" foam wedge aimed at providing leg elevation when a body is in a lying down position.

Some of these wedges come with contoured thigh and calf supports for extra comfort. They are available in different elevations - usually starting at 150mm or 6 inches.

An orthopedic wedge can help the circulation in the legs and the “venous return” to the heart which in turn may help varicose veins and other circulation or venous problems.

These wedges also place lumbar spine under a mild degree of traction with can also be beneficial.
Orthopedic wedges may assist in the relief of acute back pain, or offer a relaxing posture after some kinds of surgery.

These foam wedges usually have a removable and washable cover for hygiene.

More info

Here is the url of a website offering these products: http://classic.backbenimble.com/new/pages/bedWedge/

Blog directory

2008-11-30T20:21:00.001Z

This is a link which I have added for blog listings: Submit Blog Directory. It is worth taking a look at if you wish to submitt your blog to other blog resources and directories.

Advice about backs

2008-11-26T23:33:00.000Z

This: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/back_pain/ is a page on the BBC website that offers some background and advice relating to back pain.

It looks at causes and effects and prevention, and links to a number of categorised pages that deal with medical causes, how the back works, exercise, posture etc.

It offers a good basic overview of the back, back problems, the back and orthopedics, and how to manage and deal with back pain and problems.

It is worth taking a look at if you have any physical difficulties that you think may originate from your back or lumbar region.

Memory foam mattresses

2008-11-23T12:41:00.000Z

Following on from the general guidance about mattresses, here is a bit more detail about memory foam mattresses.

A visco elastic memory foam mattress uses a material that was discovered and developed during work on the NASA space program. This material has a number of unique properties that make it an ideal bedding material and it confers excellent supporting characteristics to the complete bed unit.

Visco elastic memory foam has a different way of adapting to the weight of the person laying on it to other mattress materials. The immediate areas of the mattress that are in contact with the body compress and depress to accommodate the shape of the body, but the rest of the memory foam remain unaffected. In other words, the memory foam has a very limited localised reaction to weight meaning that the mattress compresses under the weight of the person laying on it, but not in the areas around them.

The second feature of visco elastic memory foam is the way that its unusual compressibility features allow it to balance out the manner in which the mattress supports the sleeping body. The memory foam mattress manages to avoid the build up of “mattress pressure resistance” on the heavier parts of the human body like the hips and shoulders, thereby spreading the body’s weight in an even and comfortable way.

Summary

The combination of these two factors makes memory foam pleasant and easy to sleep on and orthopedically supportive of the body. Critically, memory foam is able to allow the back, and specifically the spine, to maintain the curved profile that it has when a person is in a standing position. This is healthy and good for the body as a whole.

Latex foam has similar properties to memory foam, but even the best and most advanced pocket sprung mattress systems fail to duplicate these body shaping property.

Sleeping on the right mattress

2008-11-20T11:00:00.001Z

Finding the right mattress to suit your body and sleeping habits is essential to back health and also getting an uninterrupted night of sleep.

Until recently, the general consensus of opinion on mattress support was that a mattress should be firm or even hard. This view held for many years and most still have the opinion that an overly soft mattress is not good for the health of the back, muscles or other parts of the skeletal structure.

What a mattress is supposed to do has however been open to much debate over recent years and the very firm mattress has now become less favoured. Orthopedically the perfect mattress should support the back in its natural figure S shape and a firm or hard mattress is no better at doing this than a soft one.

You can take a look at http://www.orthopedicmattress.net for a more detailed view of how different mattress types work and the relative advantages and disadvantages of each.

New mattress materials

The last 20 years have seen a new material called visco elastic memory foam introduced into the world of mattresses and this material is thought by many to have superior orthopedic support qualities to conventional mattresses.

Visco elastic memory foam compresses and shapes itself around the person sleeping on it and its sensitivity to weight means that it curves and profiles around the natural shape of the body and not the other way around.

Because of this, memory foam beds are perceived to have very good orthopedic properties and they rest the back and spine in its natural shape. This also holds true for the other parts of the body and the material has the ability to constantly adapt to whoever is sleeping on it in whatever position.

Another similar and comparatively new material to the world of mattresses is Latex foam. This pliable material can also shape itself around whoever is sleeping on it and it provides the same kind of contouring support as memory foam.

In summary, what both of these mattress material have is the ability to shape themselves around the person sleeping on them rather than forcing the body to adapt to the flat surface of the mattress. This means that they can keep the important muscles, organs and joints of the body in the most natural and rested positions to ensure the best kind of sleep.

Selecting a mattress

2008-11-18T11:59:00.001Z

Here is some good info taken from an article at this url: http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1432.html It gives details of the importance of sleep and some tips on mattress selection. It is well worth reading. (See the actual article for full details.

Sleep is essential for everyone. A lack of sleep can contribute to failing health and increased pain.
The average person spends approximately one third of their life in bed.
Yet when it comes to where we sleep, we often do not consider how our mattress can affect our backs.

No other piece of furniture in the house is used as often or affects your overall health more than your bed. The spine benefits greatly from sleep. It works hard all day supporting the body and requires a period of rest to maintain this activity. An “inadequate” sleep surface can of course make this impossible.

The right surface

What you sleep on makes a big difference in the quality of sleep you get every night. A mattress without enough support for your spine can lead to muscle fatigue and a poor night's sleep. A good mattress maintains the same natural spinal alignment you have when standing. When your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing. Buying a mattress – selecting features

When buying a new mattress keep the following points in mind: There are different types of mattresses including innerspring, foam (memory and Latex), flotation (water beds), and air mattresses. While innerspring mattresses may offer more variety in terms of firmness and support, many people find the other types of mattresses just as comfortable.

The best type of mattress is the one that offers you the most support and is the most comfortable for you.

The foundation of a bed, often called a box spring, is very important. The box spring absorbs stress and weight for the mattress. The correct foundation can extend the life of the mattress. You should buy a box spring that goes with your style of mattress.

Despite what you may hear, a firmer mattress may not be better than a soft one. A mattress that is too firm does not support the body evenly, tending only to support the body's heaviest parts. A mattress that is too soft sags and prevents the spine from maintaining proper alignment. Neither situation allows your muscles to rest, as they must work throughout the night to find a comfortable position and maintain correct posture.

When shopping always test a mattress . Lie down on the mattress positioned how you usually sleep and stay there for several minutes. Try to behave as you would when in your own bed. If you sleep with a partner, try the mattress together to make sure there is enough space for both sleepers to move around. Make sure that the mattress feels supportive of the back, hips and shoulders.

Getting to sleep at night

2008-11-13T17:09:00.001Z

One of the subjects that I will be covering will be sleep and the benefits of orthopedic beds and mattresses.

Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to physical and mental health and having a good quality supportive bed is one component necessary for this to be achieved.

The other important factor is of course preparing yourself for sleep and this may not be quite as simple a task as many might think. To do it properly requires planning, routine and a winding down period.

Most people go to bed at variable times, they sometimes try to sleep immediately after completing a mentally or physically taxing task, and then have trouble falling asleep.

For most people sleep is not an instant process when the head touches the pillow. Instead it requires the body and mind to gradually lower the levels of activity and for a vacant mental state of mind to occur.

If you have a lot on your mind, or if you have just finished a complex mental task, then getting to sleep quickly may be a problem.

Think of the body and mind like a car. If you take it out and drive around the car will get to a working temperature and it will take time for the oil and mechanical parts to cool off again. The human physiology is similar. If you do something active (mentally or physically) you need a cooling-off period afterwards to get the body back to a more rest full state.

For some good advice on all aspects of sleeping, see the http://www.sleepcouncil.com/ website. You will find tips about sleeping and beds and mattresses.

Orthopedic products - blog aims

2008-11-11T16:59:00.000Z

This blog will try to offer information, suggestions and “very general” advice about a whole range of orthopedic (or orthopaedic) related products. All of these products will be aimed at improving or easing the quality of some aspect of human life.

E.g they may ease mobility, help comfortable sleep or lessen pain or discomfort during an activity.

These products will range from sleeping furniture items like orthopedic beds and mattresses, to daytime furniture products like chairs They will also extend to other products like orthopedic shoes and foot insoles.

Numerous links will be provided to websites and other reference sources that provide useful information about these products and the benefits that they can offer.

The overall aim of the blog will be to offer a “general orthopaedic product reference source” enabling good information to be found and referred to from one website (blog).