PostureSpa™ Features

 Convoluted Foam Base

• Dimensions are 34" length x 17" width, with an apex of 1.6".
• Made of polyurethane foam.
  

 Pads

• Pads attach by Velcro® to the inside back cover for infinite height adjustability. The PostureSpa™ fits individuals of all sizes, whether petite or tall.
• Pad Dimensions
  • Inclined Sacral Support- 5" depth x 14" width. Height is 2" at foot end, 1.6" at head end. Made of polyethylene foam.
  • Lower Thoracic Support- 3.25" depth x 14" width. Height is 5/8". Made of EVA foam.

 Cover

• Upholstery grade, breathable, fabric cover made of 100% Polyolefin.
• Clean the cover with a water-based cleaning agent for water-based stains, and a solvent cleaner for oil-based stains. One can also vacuum the cover.

Fitting Instructions Included

Full 1-Year Warranty

Made in USA

   Popular abdominal exercises such as crunches, sit-ups, and abdominal machines distort your posture by overdeveloping the upper abdominal region (the upper rectus abdominis muscle), while depressing the chest and rib cage, and rounding the upper back and shoulders.

   The end result: These exercises reinforce a slumped posture without correcting a protruding lower abdomen.

  By rotating Figure A ninety degrees clockwise, this classic illustration from 1899 shows how the postural depression resulting from crunches, sit-ups, and abdominal machines (Figure B) is very similar to the postural depression in common sitting postures (Figure A).   (From Bradford, E.H., and Stone, J.S.: The seating of school children. Transactions of the American Orthopaedic Association, 12:170-183, 1899.)

  In addition, expending continuous effort throughout the day to "hold the stomach in" mainly constricts the upper abdominal region, just below the ribs. This habitual constriction further weakens the lower abdominal region instead of flattening it, along with restricting proper diaphragmatic breathing.

  A tightening and flattening of the lower abdominal region occurs naturally and effortlessly when upright due to the activation of postural reflexes.

  The keys to activating these postural reflexes, all reinforced by relaxing on the PostureSpa, are as follows:

• An Elongated Spine
• An Elevated Rib Cage
• A Raised Position of the Diaphragm
• A Raised Position of the Abdominal Organs
• Optimal Diaphragmatic Breathing

References

Anderson, T. McC.: Human Kinetics and Analysing Body Movements. London, Heinemann, 1951.

De Troyer, A.: Mechanical role of the abdominal muscles in relation to posture. Respiration Physiology, 53:341-353, 1983.

Drew, L.C.: Individual Gymnastics, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1945.

Floyd, W.F., and Silver, P.H.S.: Electromyographic study of patterns of activity of the anterior abdominal wall muscles in man. Journal of Anatomy, 84:132-145, 1950.

Frost, L.H.: Individual structural differences in the orthopedic examination. Journal of Health and Physical Education, 9:90-93,122, 1938.

Lipetz, S., and Gutin, B.: An electromyographic study of four abdominal exercises. Medicine and Science in Sports, 2:35-38, 1970.

Sarti, M.A., Monfort, M., Fuster, M.A., and Villaplana, L.A.: Muscle activity in upper and lower rectus abdominis during abdominal exercises. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77:1293-1297, 1996.

Wiles, P.: Postural deformities of the anteroposterior curves of the spine. The Lancet, 1:911-919, April 17, 1937.

Zacharkow, D.: Posture: Sitting, Standing, Chair Design and Exercise. Springfield, Thomas, 1988.

  Round Shoulders Misconceptions

  "Pull your shoulders back!" Most of us have heard that command at one time or another from a teacher, therapist, or parent.

Strengthening the muscles between the shoulder blades to correct a round shoulders posture is an example of a segmental approach to posture that is also a misconception. A physical therapy study in 1990 did not support the prescription of muscle strengthening exercises to correct a round shoulders posture (DiVeta et al., 1990).

  A holistic approach to posture considers round shoulders to be a general disturbance of the body's balance. In the sitting position, lower thoracic spinal posture, pelvic posture, head posture, and arm posture are all interrelated to round shoulders (Figure C).

  Therefore, round shoulders result from flexion of the lower thoracic spine, excessive forward or backward tilting of the pelvis, a reaching forward of the head, and a raising forward of the upper arms from their balanced vertical position at the sides of the hips.

  So, the bad news is that pulling the shoulders back when sitting or standing will not correct a round shoulders posture. Moreover, it will only result in a different postural deviation that distorts proper body alignment and fatigues the upper back!

  The good news is that by elevating the rib cage through the lower thoracic support, and stabilizing the pelvis in the proper neutral alignment through the inclined sacral support, the PostureSpa restores the proper alignment of the shoulders.

References

DiVeta, J., Walker, M.L., and Skibinski, B.: Relationship between performance of selected scapular muscles and scapular abduction in standing subjects. Physical Therapy, 70:470-479, 1990.

Fahrner: Das Kind und der Schultisch. Zurich, Schulthess, 1865. Translated in Cohn, H.: The Hygiene of the Eye in Schools. London, Simpkin, Marshall and Co., 1886, pp. 94-98.

Lovett, R.W.: Round shoulders and faulty attitude: a method of observation and record, with conclusions as to treatment. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 147:510-520, 1902.

Sucher, B.M., and Heath, D.M.: Thoracic outlet syndrome—a myofascial variant: part three. Structural and postural considerations. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 93:334, 340-345, 1993.

Why Lower Thoracic Support?

PostureSpa's Adjustable Lower Thoracic Support corrects the main cause of a round back, round shoulders, and forward head posture-- the hinging forward and downward of the rib cage due to flexion of the lower thoracic spine.
    The T10 - T12 area ( just below the shoulder blades) is called the "hinge area" for spinal flexion (Figure D).

Figure D Circle denotes area of the thoracic spine responsible for the hinging forward of the rib cage towards the pelvis. Adapted from Bennett, H.E.: School Posture and Seating. Boston, Ginn and Company, 1928.

PostureSpa's Lower Thoracic Support, adjustable to support any individual's T10 -T12 region...

• Elevates the rib cage.
• Elongates the thoracic spine.
• Promotes a reflex activation of the diaphragm through the isolated pressure stimulation to the lower thoracic region of the back ( called the intercostal-to-phrenic reflexes).
• Promotes activation of the lower thoracic erector spinae -- the overlooked area of the back where the extensor mechanism of the spine is the weakest. Most individuals have little postural awareness and muscle control of the thoracic spine as compared to the cervical spine and lumbar spine.
• Reduces stress to the neck/upper back and mid-back.

The vast majority of individuals have never experienced the immediate and dramatic benefits of lying and sitting with an isolated lower thoracic support. Unfortunately, most individuals have been distorting their posture and breathing for years with lumbar support and/or upper thoracic support.

References

Alexander, C.J.: Scheuermann’s disease. Skeletal Radiology, 1:209-221, 1977.

Branton, P.: Backshapes of seated persons—how close can the interface be designed? Applied Ergonomics, 15:105-107, 1984.

Decima, E.E., von Euler, C., and Thoden, U.: Intercostal-to-phrenic reflexes in the spinal cat. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 75:568-579, 1969.

Humphry, G.M.: A Treatise on the Human Skeleton. Cambridge, MacMillan, 1858.

Leanderson, R., Sundberg, J., and von Euler, C.: Role of diaphragmatic activity during singing: a study of transdiaphragmatic pressures. Journal of Applied Physiology, 62:259-270, 1987.

Markolf, K.L.: Deformation of the thoracolumbar intervertebral joints in response to external loads. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 54-A:511-533, 1972.

Remmers, J.E.: Extra-segmental reflexes derived from intercostal afferents: phrenic and laryngeal responses. Journal of Physiology, 233:45-62, 1973.

Romaniuk, J.R., Supinski, G.S., and DiMarco, A.F.: Reflex control of diaphragm activation by thoracic afferents. Journal of Applied Physiology, 75:63-69, 1993.

Vulcan, A.P., King, A.I., and Nakamura, G.S.: Effects of bending on the vertebral column during +Gz acceleration. Aerospace Medicine, 41:294-300, 1970.

Wiles, P.: Postural deformities of the anteroposterior curves of the spine. The Lancet, 1:911-919, April 17, 1937.

Zacharkow, D.: Posture: Sitting, Standing, Chair Design and Exercise. Springfield, Thomas, 1988.

The Problems with Traditional Diaphragmatic Breathing

Figure E Lowering of diaphragm from relaxation of transversus abdominis

With traditional diaphragmatic breathing, one is taught to focus on expanding the lower abdomen at the start of inspiration. This breathing technique actually restricts diaphragmatic breathing, besides causing other problems.

Expanding the lower abdomen at the start of inspiration relaxes the transversus abdominis (deep lower abdominals), resulting in a lowered position of the diaphragm and excessive shortening of the diaphragm (Figure E). This relaxation of the transversus abdominis also increases the compressive stress on the lower back.

Figure F Raised position of diaphragm due to proper activation of transversus abdominis. Note in particular the greater depth and expansion of the lower rib cage.

PostureSpa and YogaBack breathing promote a spontaneous co-activation of the transversus abdominis and diaphragm. Activation of the transversus abdominis results in a raised position of the diaphragm at the start of inspiration (Figure F). As the diaphragm descends, the transversus abdominis optimizes diaphragmatic breathing by preventing excessive shortening of the diaphragmatic muscle fibers. This inspiratory transversus abdominis muscle activity also improves the diaphragm's ability to lift the lower ribs, thereby expanding the lower rib cage.

This co-activation of the transversus abdominis and diaphragm reduces the fatigue and spinal compression from traditional diaphragmatic breathing. Learning this optimal diaphragmatic breathing technique is effortless with PostureSpa's Inclined Sacral Support and Lower Thoracic Support.

References

Bouisset, S., and Zattara, M.: A Sequence of postural movements precedes voluntary movement. Neuroscience Letters, 22:263-270, 1981.

Bouisset, S., and Duchêne, J.-L.: Is body balance more perturbed by respiration in seating than in standing posture? NeuroReport, 5:957-960, 1994.

Branton, P.: The Comfort of Easy Chairs. Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, The Furniture Industry Research Association, 1966.

Branton, P.: Behaviour, body mechanics and discomfort. In Grandjean, E. (Ed.): Proceedings of the Symposium on Sitting Posture. London, Taylor and Francis, 1969, pp. 202-213.  

Cutler, W.B., Friedmann, E., and Genovese-Stone, E.: Prevalence of kyphosis in a healthy sample of pre- and postmenopausal women. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 72:219-225, 1993.

Decima, E.E., von Euler, C., and Thoden, U.: Intercostal-to-phrenic reflexes in the spinal cat. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 75:568-579, 1969.

De Troyer, A.: Mechanical role of the abdominal muscles in relation to posture. Respiration Physiology, 53:341-353, 1983.

Hodges, P. W., et al.: Contraction of the human diaphragm during rapid postural adjustments. Journal of Physiology, 505:539-548, 1997.

Knudsen, K.A.: A Textbook of Gymnastics, vol. one. London, Churchill, 1947.

Leanderson, R., Sundberg, J., and von Euler, C.: Role of diaphragmatic activity during singing: a study of transdiaphragmatic pressures. Journal of Applied Physiology, 62:259-270, 1987.

O’Gorman, H., and Jull, G.: Thoracic kyphosis and mobility: the effect of age. Physiotherapy Practice, 3:154-162, 1987.

O’Sullivan, P.B., et al.: The effect of different standing and sitting postures on trunk muscle activity in a pain-free population. Spine, 27:1238-1244, 2002.

Sandover, J., and Dupuis, H.: A reanalysis of spinal motion during vibration. Ergonomics, 30:975-985, 1987.

Xie, A., Takasaki, Y., Popkin, J., Orr, D., and Bradley, T.D.: Chemical and postural influence on scalene and diaphragmatic activation in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 70:658-664, 1991.

Xie, A., Takasaki, Y., and Bradley, T.D.: Influence of body position on diaphragmatic and scalene activation during hypoxic rebreathing. Journal of Applied Physiology, 75:2234-2238, 1993.

Zacharkow, D.: Posture: Sitting, Standing, Chair Design and Exercise. Springfield, Thomas, 1988.

Zacharkow, D.: ZACKBACK Sitting. Rochester, ZACKBACK International, 1998.

Zacharkow, D.: Women's driving posture: An overlooked health issue. Worldwide Spine & Industrial Rehabilitation, 1(2):5-9, 2001.

FACT SHEET                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                Women’s Epidemic Round Back Posture

•     Up to fifty-one percent of healthy women from ages twenty to sixty-four are kyphotic in their normal posture.(1)

•     Compared to younger and older age groups, the most dramatic decline in thoracic extension mobility occurs in women
        in their thirties and forties.(2)

•      Beyond approximately age forty, the rate of increase in thoracic kyphosis is much higher in women than men.(3)

•      An increased thoracic kyphosis occurs during pregnancy.(4)

•      An increased thoracic kyphosis is characteristic of women who habitually wear high-heeled shoes.(5)

•      An increased thoracic kyphosis is characteristic of women who overdevelop the upper rectus abdominis muscle with sit-ups
        and crunches.(6,7)

•      A woman’s breast development increases the forward bending moment on the thoracic spine via the rib cage.

•      A habitual postural kyphosis can play a role in bone remodeling among healthy premenopausal women.(1)

•      T11 and T12, the vertebrae located at the “hinge area” for spinal flexion, are the most frequently deformed vertebrae in postmenopausal women. (8)  (This T11 - T12 spinal region is the exact location of the lower thoracic support with the PostureSpa, YogaBack for Driving and the ZACKBACK Posture Chair. As a result, the hinging forward and downward of the rib cage is prevented, correcting a round back/round shoulders posture.)

REFERENCES

   1.  Cutler, W.B., Friedmann, E., and Geneovese-Stone, E.: Prevalence of kyphosis in a healthy sample of pre- and postmenopausal women. 
        American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 72:219-225, 1993.

  2.   O’Gorman, H., and Jull, G.: Thoracic kyphosis and mobility: the effect of age.  Physiotherapy Practice, 3:154-162, 1987.

  3.   Fon, G.T., Pitt, M.J., and Thies, A.C.: Thoracic kyphosis: range in normal subjects. American Journal of Roentgenology, 134:979-983, 1980.

  4.  Bullock, J.E., Jull, G.A., and Bullock, M.I.: The relationship of low back pain to postural changes during pregnancy.
       The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 33:10-17, 1987.

  5.  Antioch College Studies: The Effects of Modern Shoes Upon Proper Body Mechanics. Yellow Springs, Antioch College, 1931.

  6.  Zacharkow, D.: Posture: Sitting, Standing, Chair Design and Exercise. Springfield, Thomas, 1988.

  7.    Zacharkow, D.: ZACKBACK Sitting. Rochester, ZACKBACK International, 1998.

  8.   Puche, R.C., et al.: The natural history of kyphosis in postmenopausal women.  Bone, 17:239-246, 1995.

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