As a part of this and some other blogs that I contribute to, I am now doing some direct evaluations on a number of differing healthy living products that I am using. Here are some brief details.
The ergonomic chair (that I referred to in the last blog but one) has now been delivered and have been using it for a few days now. To find out more about this chair you can see a separate blog that I have set up purely for that purpose – it is at http://my-ergonomic-office-chair.blogspot.com.
As of now it only has a couple of entries (actually 3), but these will increase as I have more time to use and evaluate the chair.
I have also been trying out some gel insoles in some boot-like shoes that I go for a walk in and I am doing a similar kind of evaluation about those. The blog for that one is at http://gel-insoles.blogspot.com. Again this blog will accumulate more entries over time as I form an opinion about the insoles.
So, for now, those are my two practical evaluation projects as far as healthy lifestyle products are concerned, but there are more on the horizon and I will periodically refer to (and gives url’s for) them from time to time.
Other products that are going to make appearances include a gel mouse pad (where the wrist pad is gel), and an orthopedic style bed that uses several different materials to provide the comfort and sleeping support.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Chiropractor
I saw a chiropractor many years ago and decided last week to make an appointment to see him again in the hopes that he would be able to ease and improve my back problems.
I was able to get both an assessment and first treatment appointment scheduled during the course of that week and I will be having treatment on a weekly basis for the next few weeks.
It seems rather insane that, with a national health service, I am unable to get this treatment through my GP (doctor) and consequently free. Yet I am able to see a physiotherapist, obtain X-rays, see a consultant and numerous other medics via a doctor’s referral.
This is particularly “common sense defying” when you consider that chiropractors have been around and using a scientific approach to resolving problems emanating from the spine for a couple of thousand years. They also have to train and qualify for the same period of time as a doctor and need to have continual training in order to retain the licence.
In other parts of the world osteopaths and chiropractors are considered as main stream practitioners, yet here in the UK they are seen as alternative. You are left to conclude that this classification has nothing to do with health and medical practices, but rather the cynical economics used to “miss-run” the British National Health Service.
As for the treatment, the outcome will only be apparent over time and the bending, twisting and manipulations performed by a chiropractors are certainly far from pleasant. But then again there is no gain without pain.
By way of a link, this http://www.roundhaychiropracticclinic.com is the clinic that I am currently taking my treatment from.
I was able to get both an assessment and first treatment appointment scheduled during the course of that week and I will be having treatment on a weekly basis for the next few weeks.
It seems rather insane that, with a national health service, I am unable to get this treatment through my GP (doctor) and consequently free. Yet I am able to see a physiotherapist, obtain X-rays, see a consultant and numerous other medics via a doctor’s referral.
This is particularly “common sense defying” when you consider that chiropractors have been around and using a scientific approach to resolving problems emanating from the spine for a couple of thousand years. They also have to train and qualify for the same period of time as a doctor and need to have continual training in order to retain the licence.
In other parts of the world osteopaths and chiropractors are considered as main stream practitioners, yet here in the UK they are seen as alternative. You are left to conclude that this classification has nothing to do with health and medical practices, but rather the cynical economics used to “miss-run” the British National Health Service.
As for the treatment, the outcome will only be apparent over time and the bending, twisting and manipulations performed by a chiropractors are certainly far from pleasant. But then again there is no gain without pain.
By way of a link, this http://www.roundhaychiropracticclinic.com is the clinic that I am currently taking my treatment from.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Buying an ergonomic chair
Since injuring my back in 2001 I have had a continuous flurry of lower back problems.
Exactly what the local cause and possible treatment is remains a mystery. I have had assessments, physiotherapy and massage treatments and none have sorted the problem out. A problem which, I should add, comes and goes with differing levels of severity. It seems that one week I can do anything and the next I can hardly get up out of a chair – and that leads me on to this post.
I spend a vast amount of time sat at a desk using a PC. Something that is common to many of us. The problem however is that being in a seated position for prolonged periods of time does not help the back or support the natural shape of the spine.
To this end I have been spending a considerable amount of time researching, testing and ultimately buying, an ergonomic chair for this purpose.
Over recent weeks I have tried out everything from the Herman Miller Ergon (at around £900 fully loaded) to some much much cheaper options.
The chair that I have finally decided upon is a brandless locally made chair that is going to cost around £230. The chair looks bland, design-less and it boasts no mesh backrest, no headrest and not external frame.
What it does however have are the following features which I would advise anyone looking for such a chair to seriously consider as “must have” features.
They are: seat height adjustment, seat (forward and backward) slide adjustment, seat angle adjustment, backrest height (ratchet) adjustment, inflatable lumbar support, backrest angle adjustment, armrest height adjustment, armrest angle adjustment.
N.B. These ergonomic chairs are often called “task” chairs in shops, online retailers, and by many chair manufacturers.
Exactly what the local cause and possible treatment is remains a mystery. I have had assessments, physiotherapy and massage treatments and none have sorted the problem out. A problem which, I should add, comes and goes with differing levels of severity. It seems that one week I can do anything and the next I can hardly get up out of a chair – and that leads me on to this post.
I spend a vast amount of time sat at a desk using a PC. Something that is common to many of us. The problem however is that being in a seated position for prolonged periods of time does not help the back or support the natural shape of the spine.
To this end I have been spending a considerable amount of time researching, testing and ultimately buying, an ergonomic chair for this purpose.
Over recent weeks I have tried out everything from the Herman Miller Ergon (at around £900 fully loaded) to some much much cheaper options.
The chair that I have finally decided upon is a brandless locally made chair that is going to cost around £230. The chair looks bland, design-less and it boasts no mesh backrest, no headrest and not external frame.
What it does however have are the following features which I would advise anyone looking for such a chair to seriously consider as “must have” features.
They are: seat height adjustment, seat (forward and backward) slide adjustment, seat angle adjustment, backrest height (ratchet) adjustment, inflatable lumbar support, backrest angle adjustment, armrest height adjustment, armrest angle adjustment.
N.B. These ergonomic chairs are often called “task” chairs in shops, online retailers, and by many chair manufacturers.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Knee Braces
With a lot on my plate, including trying to sort out my home office, I have severely neglected this blog. However my intentions towards it remain and I will start making regular and themed posts to it as soon as time permits.
In the meantime however, here is some brief information about knee braces which can aid anyone with a knee joint problem, permanent or temporary.
Knee braces are supports that you wear for a painful or injured knee and they are constructed from advanced materials to create a lightweight and breathable brace that is easy and comfortable to wear.
Knee braces are designed to stabilize the knee, redirect the body’s weight away from the injured compartment of the knee joint and to help correct leg alignment. Knee braces are also designed to help keep the knee properly aligned, thus helping to prevent sharp pain caused by miss-alignment while also helping avoid traumatic injury.
Special knee braces are designed to control how the kneecap moves and many knee braces are designed to support injured or damaged ligaments.
Knee braces can also be used to provide stability, support, and pain relief for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Most knee braces provide moderate levels of support and protection for most knee requirements, however in the instance of knee instability resulting from ligament injuries, customised knee braces may be recommended for additional levels of protection and support.
You should always ask a doctor or physical therapist whether or not knee braces are appropriate for your situation.
In the meantime however, here is some brief information about knee braces which can aid anyone with a knee joint problem, permanent or temporary.
Knee braces are supports that you wear for a painful or injured knee and they are constructed from advanced materials to create a lightweight and breathable brace that is easy and comfortable to wear.
Knee braces are designed to stabilize the knee, redirect the body’s weight away from the injured compartment of the knee joint and to help correct leg alignment. Knee braces are also designed to help keep the knee properly aligned, thus helping to prevent sharp pain caused by miss-alignment while also helping avoid traumatic injury.
Special knee braces are designed to control how the kneecap moves and many knee braces are designed to support injured or damaged ligaments.
Knee braces can also be used to provide stability, support, and pain relief for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Most knee braces provide moderate levels of support and protection for most knee requirements, however in the instance of knee instability resulting from ligament injuries, customised knee braces may be recommended for additional levels of protection and support.
You should always ask a doctor or physical therapist whether or not knee braces are appropriate for your situation.
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