Alternative Back Pain Remedies

The Best Ergonomic Office Chairs For Back Pain

Today, we’re going to be checking out the best ergonomic office chairs. If you’re looking for back support while sitting, finding the right office chair is key.

If you’ve seen our previous articles, you’ll know that sitting is a leading cause of back pain. While there are alternative measures you can take to help prevent it, such as using a standing desk chair, drafting chair, or kneeling chair, many prefer the traditional office chair.

Common features that we examine are adjustable headrests, lumbar support, seat height and tilt, and armrests. Being able to adjust these features will ensure that you can sit with the proper sitting posture and prevent back pain from occurring.

Cedric Office Chair

We’ll First look at the Cedric Office Chair. It’s easy to assemble with good instructions. It’s strong aluminum base supports up to 350 lbs.

The 20″ x 20” seat is made of breathable mesh, so you don’t get too hot. It is adjustable up and down. The height from the top of the chair to the floor ranges from 18.5-20.5” The seat rotates, but there is no depth adjustment, and the seat itself doesn’t tilt, only the backrest.

The mesh backrest has many options for adjustability. The tilt can be adjusted from 90 and 125 degrees and can be locked into place. It has a lumbar pillow that can be moved 1.58” up or down, and back and forth. This allows you to put the lumbar pillow exactly where you want, with as much depth as you like.

The back of the chair 20.5” but the headrest adds an additional 7″-9.5”. It can be moved up and down 2.5” and tilt forward and back to support your head and neck. The headrest can be removed with screws if necessary.

Finally, the armrests are 18.5” apart from each other and are adjustable up and down. They lock into 7 different positions and height ranges from 8″-11” from the top of the seat, From the floor at the lowest position, the armrests are 26.3” from the floor, and at the highest position are 32.6”.

This is a solid chair that checks most of our boxes for a good office chair for back pain. For the average user with minimal back pain, this would be a great addition and with proper sitting position should help prevent back pain.

Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

Up next is the Modway Ergonomic Office Chair. It’s another solid chair supporting up to 331 lbs. It has a breathable mesh back that is curved to support your spine.

It lacks a headrest, but the backrest is 22” in height and stands 37”-41.5” from the floor. It tilts back and can be locked into place.

The tilt of the seat can be adjusted as well. It only tilts backward but combined with the backrest tilt, it allows the user to find a comfortable position no matter the body type. The seat 18.5” wide and 17.5” deep (depth isn’t adjustable). From the floor to the cushion, it is 19.5”-24”. It rotates 360 degrees and has a 6” thick mesh seat cushion.

The contoured armrests are adjustable in height only and range from 8”-10.5” from the seat, 27.5-32” from the floor.

We wish it had a headrest for neck and head support, but for those who don’t want one, this chair is a good choice. We like the seat tilt a lot, but the Modway doesn’t allow for forward seat tilt.

Tilting our seat forward allows our body’s weight to be distributed to our legs. It pushes our pelvis forward and encourages proper sitting position. This is one reason why we like kneeling chairs.

MOOJIRS Ergonomic Office Chair

The MOOJIRS Ergonomic Office Chair has a higher weight capacity than the other chairs, at 450 lbs. It’s all mesh for breathability and has an aluminum alloy frame for durability.

The backrest is separated into 3 different areas for targeted support. The upper back sections and lumbar region are supported independently. It automatically (with tension) adjusts to your back and can be locked into position with a press of a button. It’s height is 22” and the tilt locks into 4 positions: 90, 100, 110, 125 degrees. It can be moved up and down for taller users. The backrest tilts with tension and the seat reclines with it. The two move together.

The seat is 19.5” x 19.5” but the depth of the seat can be adjusted by sliding the seat in and out, up to a depth of 22.75”. It can be adjusted up and down by 4”, making the height of the seat to floor 18.5”-22.5.

The headrest is height and angle adjustable. The armrests have 10 adjustable nodes that lock into place for height. They can be slid in and out for depth, angled for comfort, and widened for more body space.

The MOOJIRS ergonomic office chair is great for adjustability. It can handle more weight, has a longer seat depth, and the backrest and headrest allow for larger bodies to sit correctly.

The Duorest Alpha with Twin Backrests

The unique look of the Duorest Alpha let’s you know that this is something special. The dual backrests move in all axis’ x, y, and z. This reduces pressure on the lower vertebrae and conform to the user’s back, encouraging good posture. They also adjust in height based on your preference. The backrest tilt can be locked into position and adjusts separate from the seat, allowing for more positions.

The contoured seat is 19″ x 19” and slides out to add an extra 1.65” of depth. The height is adjustable from 16.8-21.3”. The headrest also adjusts to different heights and angles. It helps maintain your posture and remain eye level with your monitor.

The 3D armrests are adjustable in height, depth, angle, and degree so that your arms are supported exactly where they are most comfortable.

The Duorest Alpha was designed and invented by a Physics professor specifically for relieving pressure in the back. It is another highly adjustable chair with a unique look and plenty of features to prevent back pain and encourage good posture.

Sadie High-Back Leather Office Chair

The Sadie High-Back Leather Office Chair has the look of a more traditional executive chair. Most of the products we have mentioned have breathable mesh backrests and seats. This offers an alternative: plush bonded leather material. If heat is an issue, we prefer mesh, if not, we like the comfortable feel of bonded leather.

It has no separate headrest, but the backrest is a tall 24” and padded at the top for some neck and head support. The backrest is height adjustable for different lumbar support positions, and tilts independent of the seat.

The top of the seat moves from 16.5″ – 20” in height. The seat is 21.25” wide, and seat depth is 17.25”. While the depth isn’t adjustable, the seat can be tilted back and forward, to distribute weight to your legs, and push the pelvis forward for better spinal alignment.

The armrests move up and down to relieve strain on your arms when typing or resting. We wish it had more adjustability here, it’s a trade off. If you need more than vertical movement, you may want a different model.

The weight capacity is up to 250 lbs, lower than the other models we’ve talked about. However if you meet the weight limit, and don’t have heat issues while sitting, we think this is a great chair for back pain due to the forward tilt, high back, and overall adjustability of this chair.

This page contains ads and affiliate links. Product quality is determined by my own opinion, user reviews, comparison analysis, and sometimes product demos. This website does not provide medical advice. Talk with your doctor before trying any treatment or method.

Everything You Need To Know About CBD

Today we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about CBD. We’ll tell you what it is, who should use it, why, how much to take, where to get it and cover the different products available.

What Is CBD?

Both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant species, Cannabis sativa, but they vary in THC composition. The cannabis plant has over 100 chemical compounds, called cannabinoids.

The two main cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is the chemical that gives a euphoric feeling to the user. It’s what gets you high. CBD is non-psychoactive and has helped with many health conditions including back pain, osteoarthritis, epilepsy, anxiety, and more. CBD provides many of the medicinal benefits derived from the cannabis plant, without getting you high.

How Can It Help Back Pain?

CBD is generally a full body treatment for pain relief, but topical products can target specific areas. It reduces inflammation, combats anxiety (often related to chronic back pain), helps with sleep, and improves your overall state of relaxation.

What are the Side Effects?

CBD has generally mild side effects.

They include: mental confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, low blood pressure, tiredness, and a change in appetite.

While side effects are minimal, as with other natural products, there is potential for adverse reactions. People taking other medication are most likely to experience side effects, due to the interaction between CBD and the drug they’re taking.

Who Shouldn’t Take CBD?

If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor first before taking CBD. They can advise you of any adverse reactions you may experience, based on their knowledge of your medical history.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid CBD. Not enough studies of CBD have been conducted in this group to determine if it’s safe or not for them to use. Until then, it’s best to be safe and avoid using CBD.

Like with pregnant women, not enough studies have been performed on the safety of CBD in children. One notable exception here is in cases of pediatric epilepsy. Both the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex (which contains CBD), and other forms of medical CBD have been shown to help treat severe epilepsy. If you want to give CBD to your child, it’s best to speak first with your pediatrician to ensure it will be safe for them to use.

CBD For Pets?

What about pets? Because animals like cats, dogs, and horses all have similar endocannabinoid system (ECS) functions, CBD for pets can provide some of the same useful applications. For those looking for an alternative, CBD may support a more wholesome wellness regimen.

Dosage

Ok, so its safe for us to use. How much do we take?

Most CBD oil products will have a number on the front of the bottle, often ranging from 300 milligrams (mg) to 10,000 mg. This number is not the amount of CBD oil you get in every tincture dropper or capsule but is instead the total amount of CBD contained within the CBD oil product.

How much CBD oil to take will vary from person to person.

The right CBD dose for you can depend on a few factors, including your weight, any other health conditions you may have, and medication you’re taking for those conditions. It also depends on your personal body chemistry and sensitivity to CBD.

When determining your ideal CBD dosage, your goal is to find the lowest dose that provides the benefits you need with few or no side effects.

The standard recommendations is to base your CBD dose on your body weight. Take 1 to 6 mg per 10 pounds of body weight. These are general guidelines.

Some will need more if taking CBD for chronic pain, and others will need less if taking for situational anxiety. Since side effects are minimal, it’s important to see what dosage works best for you.

Chart from: cbdoil.org

Ok, CBD is great. But there are so many different products, How do I choose?

Oils

Oils can be taken orally, vaped, or mixed with drinks. Oil is used in other types of CBD products like creams, but it can also be used alone. Capsules are also available (which are better for accurate doses).

Tinctures

Tinctures are made by soaking cannabis flowers in alcohol for long periods of time to extract the CBD. It is more concentrated. Tinctures are sold in bottles with droppers to be used in drinks or taken orally by squeezing a few drops under your tongue.

Edibles

Mixing CBD oil or tinctures with food and drinks are called edibles. You’ll find baked goods, gummies, and chocolates.

Creams and gels

CBD creams and gels are absorbed by the skin. This helps target specific areas, such as back pain. They have been shown to reduce inflammation and neuropathic pain.

Best way to take CBD?

If you don’t want to ingest anything, or if you want to target a specific area, you may prefer topical creams and gels. This is what we like best for back pain. It can relieve pain where applied in a few minutes and last several hours. Topical creams and gels may require a higher dosage to ensure it penetrates the epidermis.

Vape pens deliver the dosage fast – a few minutes, but also wears off fast – usually 2 hours. Tinctures are a bit slower -about 20 minutes, and last a similar amount of time as vape pens.

Edibles are a nice treat but take longer to take effect-about 30 to 90 mins, but can last four or five hours.

Where do you find quality CBD products?

How do I know that I’m “getting the good stuff”?

If you are using CBD, you’ll want to be sure you have quality products. Many online products have been tested only to find lower levels of CBD in them than stated on the label.

First look for products that have been tested by a third party. Testing results should be clear and easy to understand. It’s simply best to avoid CBD sellers (many found on social media, and even on amazon) that don’t provide lab results. We simply don’t know its quality. You should be able to see the lab results to let you know you have a high-quality product, and that the label is accurate.

You can purchase CBD products in specialty shops or dispensaries, or buy online, direct from the company. Most brick and mortar retailers will have legitimate products. However shopping online allows you to compare a wider variety of companies and know exactly what you’re getting.

CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to read the labels carefully and discuss any concerns with a health care provider.

It’s because of all these reasons that we like CBDmd. It is one of the most reputable CBD companies in the USA. You can look up the certificate of analysis (lab results) of their products on their website.

To conclude, we think CBD creams and lotions are best for back pain. They can be applied topically and target exactly where you’re feeling pain. Other CBD products don’t provide the targeted pain relief, but provide overall full body treatment and relief, which many prefer.

You may prefer to use the other products when it is more convenient. For example, using a vape offers quick results in a few puffs and tinctures can be added to drinks or dropped directly under the tongue.

Whichever product you use, be sure it is from a reputable dealer like CBDmd, and can provide third party lab results to ensure you are getting a quality product. All CBD products can provide relief, and the minor side effects make CBD a great alternative for back pain relief.

We hope this helps clear up any confusion and answers any questions you had about CBD products and back pain. Click HERE to cbdmd.com and choose from a wide selection of quality CBD products.

TENS Unit FAQ: What TENS is, TENS vs EMS, TENS Benefits, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

In today’s video we’re going to be checking out TENS Units. TENS units are a low-cost non-habit forming, alternative pain-relieving method to treating all types of back pain. It can be helpful for Sciatica, muscle strains, disc hernias and swelling, trauma, sports injuries, and stiff necks. Before we get into it,

What is a TENS unit?

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. In other words, they are devices that stimulate nerves to reduce acute and chronic pain.

Difference between TENS unit and Muscle Stimulation

Many confuse a TENS Unit with EMS or Electrical Muscle Stimulation. Simply put, TENS is used to relieve pain, while EMS is for muscle growth and training. They are both great therapeutic solutions, but again, TENS units are for pain relief, and EMS machines are for muscle rehabilitation after injury and athletic training.

If you’re on medication for nerve pain, a TENS unit is a better choice. If you want to target muscle pain, then an EMS unit would be better.

TENS diverts the pain sensation away from the brain. EMS sends a signal to your muscles to cause contractions for the purpose of building muscle and exercise. Many Units include both TENS and EMS. Whether or not you need both is based on your use of it.

How does a TENS unit work?

These stimulations may modulate or suppress pain signals to the brain. Basically, it stops your pain receptors from feeling the pain. TENS also releases endorphins, giving the user a better feeling in general.

Benefits of a TENS Unit

There are multiple reviews showing that:

it is useful for diabetic neuropathy
Decreases carpal tunnel pain
Decrease shoulder impingement pain
Effective in preventing migraines

And there is objective evidence showing that it can suppress pain signals. This is how we approach TENS. Notice that we are suppressing or diverting the pain, not eliminating it.

Is a TENS unit safe?

TENS units are safe for most people. However, tolerance can be built in as much as five days of use, reducing its effectiveness.

Those with heart conditions, pacemakers, infusion pumps, defibrillators, or similar devices shouldn’t be exposed to the electrical current from a TENS unit. People with skin allergies may react to the electrode pads negatively. Also, pregnant women shouldn’t use electrical stimulation for pain relief.

What to look for in TENS unit?

Now that we know what a TENS unit is and what it’s used for, what do we look for when finding one?

How much power?

The lower-priced TENS units tend to have low power. It should feel intense, but not painful. This will vary from person to person, so ensuring the unit you get is strong enough should be a high priority when selecting a TENS unit. Also, tolerance can be built, so you’ll likely want to have more power than you expect if you plan on using it often.

What type of battery does it use?

Using disposable batteries in a TENS unit can raise the price of use dramatically for the daily user. Many devices use a 9-volt battery. You’ll want to find a higher quality device that has a stronger lithium-ion battery. It can last longer between charges and will save you money on replacing batteries.

How many modes does it have?

The better TENS units will have a higher number of modes, or electronic pulses. Different modes work better for different kinds of pain. You’ll want to have as many options available to find out which mode is best for your specific pain.

How durable are the pads?

We suggest the higher quality TENS units because the pads tend to last longer. The cheap TENS units’ pads tend to wear out much sooner, requiring replacement. The additional cost of replacing pads can make that cheap TENS unit quite expensive.

It’s better to get quality from the start. Especially if you’ve never used a TENS unit before, look for quality customer service to help you get started if you have any questions or problems.

We hope this helps clear up any confusion and answered any questions you may have had about TENS Units.

Our Favorite TENS Unit: iReliev Wireless TENS + EMS Therapeutic Wearable System

Three Tactics To Eliminate Back Pain

In today’s video, we’re going to be checking out Three Tactics To Eliminate Back Pain. These 3 strategies could be the difference between a nasty re-occurring back blowout versus taking the fast track to the pain-free “limitless” workouts you need.

TACTIC TO ELIMINATE BACK PAIN #1:

DO THIS EXERCISE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!

The number one exercise you can do to alleviate an achy back is called a standing back extension. To perform this exercise, simply stand up and place your hands on top of your pelvis. Arch backwards and return back to standing. With each repetition try to go further and further. Your feet should be about hip width apart.

This exercise has been shown to be beneficial for 95% of the people with back pain either first thing in the morning or as a break from sitting.

Quick Fix: Do this back extension exercise 3-4 times per day for 5 repetitions whenever your back feels tight or sore. Your back should feel looser and better.

TACTIC TO ELIMINATE BACK PAIN #2:

DEAL WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM NOT THE SYMPTOMS

Traditional back pain protocols focus on purely stretching and strengthening. This alone does not work, or at best provides temporary back pain relief. The reality is that stretching focuses on symptoms, not necessarily the problem.

“Neither Strengthening nor Stretching Will Help You Until Your Lower Back Has Been Reshaped Into a Pain-Free Lumbar Spine.”

While strengthening is important, it needs to be done when the lumbar spine has been reshaped into a pain-free back area. If you have not reshaped the lumbar spine into a pain-free area, you are just adding more strength to a painful region and making the problem worse. In time, this stress leads to repetitive back injuries, increased vertebrae damage, and overall lower back pain.

Don’t jump ahead to the stretches & exercises until you’ve reshaped the lumbar region to give you a solid foundation to progress from.

TACTIC TO ELIMINATE BACK PAIN #3:

RESHAPING YOUR LOWER BACK CAN ACTUALLY BE EASY WITH THE BR3-METHOD

The BR3 Method is short for “Back Reshaping 3-Part Method”. It was invented by Injury Specialist and Kinesiologist Rick Kaselj, MS who has over 20 years of hands-on experience, and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science.

WHAT IS THE BR3 METHOD?

The “Traditional Back Pain Model” involves endless cycles of appointments, investigations, stretching and strengthening.

After having hundreds of Rick’s clients follow this model with minimal success, he needed to find a new model that breaks the traditional back pain model and moves clients from a painful lower back to a pain-free lumbar region.

This led to the creation of the BR3 Method which is based on one key concept: Reshaping your lower back from a painful lower back to a pain-free lumbar spine.

You can do this for yourself…

PART 1: INTERNAL RESHAPING

The first part of the BR3 method involves using internal reshaping. You take simple steps to create an environment in your lower back so that you have a pain free lumbar region.

PART 2: EXTERNAL RESHAPING

The second part of the BR3 method is reshaping your back from the outside. Now we are doing things that will continue the reshaping of the lower back, with a focus on what we can do to reshape it from the outside so that the lumbar region becomes pain-free.

PART 3: INJURY SPECIFIC EXERCISES

Now that we have started the reshaping of the lower back from the inside and outside, the next step is to focus on injury-specific exercises. Most therapists do all the same exercises, no matter what the back injury is, but this is not right. About 60% of the exercises are the same for all back injuries, but the last 40% are injury-specific, and this is very important to note.

If you want to use the BR3 method to eliminate your back pain, click here for details and to buy the BR3 method for Back Pain Relief.

Anti-Fatigue Mat Benefits And Types

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In today’s video we’re going to be checking out Anti-Fatigue Mats. Standing on hard surfaces all day can be a cause of back pain. Anti-fatigue mats can be a preventative measure against back pain, and may be what we need to get some pain relief.

Be sure to hit the like and subscribe button if you find this information useful and would like to know more. Now, let’s get to it.

Are anti-Fatigue Mats good for you?

Standing, like sitting, for long periods of time will wear on your feet, legs and back. Gravity puts pressure on our bodies and this creates discomfort and fatigue. The floor’s hard surface can cause our leg muscles to constrict, reducing blood flow, which in turn, causes pain in the legs. Stress and pain can go to the lower back leading to bad posture, compounding the problem.

Chiropractors recommend (Lynx Healthcare) adding anti-fatigue mats, or ergonomic mats, to their workplace as a preventative measure.
“The human back houses the valuable spinal cord which keeps bodies in motion. Because it has to house this fragile system, the back is a complex structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. All of these parts are subject to injury and irritation especially after prolonged wear. Prolonged wear is not necessarily active movement— it even includes long periods of inactivity. All work activity, no matter if it is sitting behind a computer desk, operating a machine or vehicle, or simply manual labor, can have harmful effects. In areas where employees are required to stand or walk for extended periods of time, an example being most food service jobs, more strain is placed on the back to support and keep the body upright. In these cases, it is valuable to have some sort of floor cushioning that can reduce physical strain.” -RubberFlooringExperts.com

Anti-Fatigue mats have shown to reduce back pain and joint stiffness by relieving pressure on the spine from standing on hard surfaces. Additionally, they improve posture by allowing blood to flow properly, preventing tightening in muscles. By reducing the pain in these areas, it allows us to use that energy to be more productive and less tired.

Anti-Fatigue Mats have also been shown to increase worker productivity. Happy workers are more productive. It really is that simple. Relieving yourself of common pains, headaches, and joint problems will make your day more efficient. Not to mention you may avoid a “slip-and-fall” accident or other injuries in the workplace.

Do You Need an Anti-Fatigue Mat?

A regular floor mat can be a great way to protect surfaces, like a runner to protect carpet from shoes. They may be all you need to avoid slipping or protect from cold. Anti-fatigue mats go a step further in comfort and provide additional benefits mentioned earlier.

The tend to be more durable, able to handle a long workday of use. Their comfort relieves stress on muscles and bones, where a regular mat will lack this quality. There are many different types of anti-fatigue mats, so you’ll want to be sure to get the right one for your needs.

What to look for

Materials: You’ll want to consider what may fall on these mats during use. Labs will want chemical resistance. Kitchen users may want drainage. Standing desks users may opt for softer vinyl.

Sanitary and Safety for Kitchen, bathroom areas. – There are anti-microbial, textured surfaces for easy cleaning (spray and wipe down). When the top layer of the mat is cracked or peeled, it is time for a new mat.

Too Thick? It may seem that the best thing to do is to get the thickest, softest, mat, but for some it may be too soft. If it’s too soft, it may shift your weight to one side and lead to misalignment of the spine. Mats that are ⅜-1 in. thick are best, so long as they do not create a tripping hazard. However, beveled edges reduce the likelihood of tripping.

Size: When considering size, you’ll want to plan for the entire area that you will be working in. for kitchens, many will need a rectangular mat or runner. For industrial users, larger mats with be required. For standing desks, you’ll want to consider tripping hazards and space when you switch from standing to sitting, and the size of your desk. Square sized mats work well with standing desks.

Types of Anti-Fatigue Mats

There are different types of Anti-Fatigue mats: Ergonomic, Industrial, and General Use types. Each has specific qualities that will be a benefit for their intended purpose, but may be a hazard or negative if the wrong mat is chosen for the workplace.

General Use Anti- Fatigue Mats

General Use Mats are exactly what they sound like. Used in home kitchens, garages, home offices, and anywhere to soften a hard floor, these mats are the most basic mats you can get, but they will do the job.

In the kitchen we’ll want to see a thickness from ⅜-1” and beveled edges to avoid tripping. Many are textured to avoid slipping, should the surface get wet. In front of the sink is a great place to relieve your feet while doing dishes. Rectangular shaped mats fit great in the kitchen or bathroom.

In the home office, they are great but lack the ergonomic design that we like when we are working for long periods of time.

If we’re in the garage, we may want to see a chemical resistant mat in case oil or grease falls on it. Durability will be a bigger factor as they are more likely to see more pressure and dirt. Depending on how tough we need it, we may want to consider an industrial mat.

Ergonomic Anti-Fatigue Mats

Ergonomic anti-fatigue mats are specifically designed for more stationary positions, such as in combination with standing desks in the office or reception. They are ergonomically designed to allow for active movement and feature groves for different positions. Some even include massage balls for use during the workday.

Ergonomic surfaces provide stress relief that general use mats don’t. However, they tend to be smaller and meant to be confined to a workspace. This is the trade-off for ergonomic design. Ergonomic anti-fatigue mats have most of the benefits a general use mat would, but with ergonomic design tailored to an office environment.

Industrial Anti-Fatigue Mats

Industrial mats are designed for laboratories, factories, large kitchens, and garages. They are more focused on safety and durability, but still, provide beneficial comfort on hard surfaces. With a higher focus on utility, these have chemical resistant, anti-slip surfaces, and strong durability. In kitchens, they provide great drainage and have superior anti-slip surfaces. Industrial mats tend to be larger, as the workspaces tend to be bigger.

Overview

To wrap up, we know that standing on hard surfaces can hurt our joints and posture, which can lead to worse conditions, like back pain. For some, this is the reason why they have pain in the first place. By simply putting a soft mat underneath us, we can prevent some of the stress that our bodies take every day.

However, we must apply the right mat for the right situation. General use mats are great almost anywhere, but we can do better. Ergonomic mats are great for the office, and specifically standing desks. Industrial mats are more for utility than comfort, as they focus on durability and safety, more than softness.

We’ve included our favorite Anti-Fatigue Mats in the description. Click on the links below for more details.

We hope this helps clear up any confusion and answered any questions you may have had about Anti-Fatigue Mats. If you would like more information or found this helpful, please like this video and subscribe to us on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Thanks for watching.

That’s all for now from Alternative Back Pain Remedies. We’ll see you in the next video!

A few of our Favorite Anti-Fatigue Mats:
Ergonomic Anti-Fatigue Mats
Topo Comfort: https://amzn.to/3dR3osb
Genius Mat: https://amzn.to/2UFvrTL
Kangaroo Original: https://amzn.to/2V1eXUS

Kitchen Anti-Fatigue Mats
Comfort Floor Mat (Sky Mats): https://amzn.to/3dTfUrh
Kangaroo Original Kitchen Mat: https://amzn.to/2UIl0PD
Gorilla Grip: https://amzn.to/2R9lLPo

Industrial Anti-Fatigue Mats
Diamond-dek Sponge: https://amzn.to/2V0I5f4
Rubber Flooring Mat: https://amzn.to/2wZtN6y
Hog Heaven: https://amzn.to/2V2K6HT

Best Home Gym Equipment For Back Pain | Roman Chair, Elliptical, Treadmill, Exercise Bikes (Recumbent & Upright)

In today’s video, we’re going to be checking out some of the best gym equipment to address back pain. These are low-intensity workouts meant to strengthen our back, core, and other supporting muscles without straining our back.

We’ll look at the Roman Chair, the elliptical, the treadmill, and exercise bikes. We will go over each of these and why they are good for back pain, and to help you see which is best for your situation. The effectiveness of each of these machines will vary, based on what is causing your back pain. As always, talk to your doctor before implementing a new workout routine.

Be sure to hit the like and subscribe button if you find this information useful and would like to know more. Links to any products shown in this video can be found in the description below. Now, let’s get to it.

Roman Chair/Back Hyper Extension Bench

First is the Roman Chair, also known as the hyperextension bench. Often overlooked, the roman chair is a great exercise to get rid of back pain.

It’s designed to target the core, glutes, and lumbar erectors. By developing these muscles, we can reduce or eliminate our back pain.

We see many people use this machine improperly in the gym, so let’s go over the proper use of the Roman Chair.

Adjust the thigh pad to the proper height, about 3” below the belt buckle. Some roman chairs allow us to adjust the angle, the more vertical, the easier it is to do the exercise.
Cross your arms across your chest and keep your spine straight.
Lower your chest to the floor
When you are 90 degrees, use your glutes to raise back to the neutral position, maintaining a straight back. Your glutes do most of the work, and your back stabilizes your body.
Repeat.

It’s important not to “round the spine” when bending forward. Going too far back when coming to the neutral position is also a no-no. We want to keep our back straight.

If we want to work our thighs more than our glutes, we can adjust the thigh pad lower, further away from our belt buckle and use our hamstrings more to bring us back to a neutral position.

A roman chair is great for addressing back pain, and with regular exercise may eliminate back pain altogether.

Cardio

Cardio machines that build strength in your legs contribute to an overall healthy back. It accelerates healing through increased blood flow. It can keep connective tissues, ligaments, and tendons more flexible, reducing the likelihood of future injuries. Cardio also keeps the back discs hydrated, decreasing inflammation around the discs. The next three exercise machines are very common in gyms and at the home.

Elliptical

Elliptical machines are great for back or joint pain because they are very low stress. It mimics a natural walking stride without any floor impact. It’s as if you’re walking on air!

Exercises like running, where you are impacting a hard surface (the floor) with your feet, will send that shock up your legs to your spine. An elliptical provides for a fluid motion that doesn’t jar or jolt.

While ellipticals can help many with back pain, it may not be for those with lumbar disc problems. Elliptical users will twist more than runners or walkers. Repeated flexion and twisting of the spine encourages degradation and can cause pain. For those with lumbar joint problems, being in a flexion position is preferred. So it depends on what is causing your pain.

Treadmill

We mentioned that cardio was helpful in preventing back pain due to blood circulation and strengthening leg muscles. A treadmill is a great way to incorporate a low impact exercise at home. They are nice as you can control the incline and don’t have to worry about hazards or uneven surfaces. However, there a few things to note about treadmills.

It doesn’t just turn it on and bang! Your back is better. To get the most out of the treadmill and fix our back pain, posture is important. You want your spine to be in a neutral position, with abs engaged. We want to avoid leaning and keep our heads up and eyes forward. These simple corrections when walking stop what causes the pain.

It’s tempting to push ourselves and use an incline, but doing so can increase the impact level on our back. If you plan on using an incline, the slower you go, the less likely you are to stress your lower back. Find the right balance of speed and incline that works best for you.

There are treadmills available with thick durable cushioned surfaces to lessen the impact on your feet. You’ll also want to invest in a pair of high quality running or walking shoes for the same reason. Getting your heart rate up by running or jogging will increase blood flow, but the faster you move on a treadmill, the more impact you are giving your feet and back.

Exercise Bike: Upright or Recumbent

Finally, one of the most common machines in the gym, the exercise bike. There are two main types of exercise bike, the upright, and recumbent. The upright exercise bike is great for losing weight or getting fit. You lean slightly forward and must maintain a straight back. For back pain relief we prefer recumbent exercise bikes. These are noticeably different than the upright exercise bikes as they are lower and feature a comfortable backrest. It is less likely to irritate your back.

Exercise bikes are great for various health reasons, back pain relief being one. However, it will do nothing for your core, so its important to incorporate core strength exercises along with it to maintain a healthy back. Exercise bikes offer a low impact exercise, but we feel ellipticals or treadmills may be slightly better and offer more benefits.

We hope this helps clear up any confusion and answered any questions you may have had about some of the exercise machines that can relieve back pain. We’ve included our favorite exercise machines for back pain in the description, click on the links posted below for more details.

If you enjoyed this video and found this helpful, please like this video and subscribe to us on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Thanks for watching.

That’s all for now from Alternative Back Pain Remedies. We’ll see you in the next video!

The Best Standing Desk Chairs For Back Pain

In today’s video we’re going to be checking out the best standing desk chairs. For those who want to sit less and reap the benefits of standing desks, but want a break from long periods of standing, a typical standing desk chair can be just what we need.

Standing Desk Chairs In This Video (affiliate links)
Aimezo Standing Desk Chair
Songmics Standing Desk Chair
HON Basyx Perch
Varidesk VariChair
Leanrite Elite

Find Standing Desk Chairs on eBay: https://ebay.to/2N10o0I

More Standing Desk Videos:
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Standing Desk Buyer’s Guide
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The Best Drafting Chairs For Standing Desks
The Best Standing Desk Chairs

The Best Drafting Chairs For Standing Desks

Today we’re going to be checking out the best drafting chairs for standing desks. For those who like to switch from sitting to standing, but also want the comfort and stability of an ergonomic chair, a high drafting chair might be just right.

Drafting Chairs In This Video (affiliate links)
Office Factor Drafting Chair
Modway Veer
Flash Furniture Drafting Chair
Harwick Premium Leather

Find Drafting Chairs on eBay: https://ebay.to/2N10o0I

Which Type of Standing Desk Chair is Best?

Today we will be looking at what kind of standing desk chair is best. If you have seen my previous videos, you’d know that standing desks are a great way to improve posture and avoid the dangers of sitting in a chair all day. However, standing all day isn’t good for you either.

A combination of the two is ideal for working at a desk. So how do we do that?

Enter the standing desk chair. We’ve found three general styles that are available: the drafting chair, the wobble chair, and a typical standing desk chair.

First, the drafting chair. This is the best for someone who will be sitting the majority of the time. It’s really just a very high ergonomic office chair that can adjust.

It’s important that we find one that has an adjustable footrest. This allows for people of various heights to use the chair.

Good casters are a must as we will be sliding it in and out of our desk as we switch from sitting to standing. A heavy base will provide much-needed support as the chair gets higher. Otherwise, we can look for the same things we would look for in a standard office chair: lumbar support, backrest adjustability, a waterfall front, tilt adjustability, etc.

At the end of the day, a drafting chair is really just what you would expect, a higher ergonomic chair. The main drawback is getting into and out of the chair. It’s not a mountain, but for some, climbing into the chair may be more effort than expected.

A good, solid drafting chair works well with those who sit at their desks more than stand. They have all the benefits of an ergonomic chair, and switching to standing doesn’t require adjusting the desk height. It’s a familiar feeling and easiest to adjust to.

The wobble stool is interesting, to say the least. This allows for tilting, swivel, leaning and rocking while sitting. This proves to be useful when reaching for items across a large workspace.

Mainly, this type of chair or stool is meant to allow for active sitting. This will allow you to move your lower body so that our body isn’t locked into a fixed chair position. It’s great for people who fidget, as it reacts to where your body wants to move.

While active sitting is great, the seat itself isn’t as comfortable as an ergonomic or drafting chair. A wobble stool simply misses some of the ergonomics that a chair has, like a backrest and shaped seat.

A wobble stool is great for those who mostly sit as well. Even some exercises could be done while sitting. Many wobble stools adjust for standing desks. They allow for leaning on the stool at an angle and provides for a short break from standing.

For those who want to sit less and reap the benefits of standing desks, but want a break from long periods of standing, a typical standing desk chair can be just what we need.

A typical standing desk chair usually consists of an adjustable post with a seat on top. Many of these chairs are made specifically for standing desks. They can be sat on and act as a chair, or they can be raised to be leaned on while standing.

A typical standing desk chair seat will allow for 360 rotation of the seat to allow for active sitting. This means that you can adjust your seating position by shifting your body. They usually have a lower range of mobility than a wobble chair but are large enough to serve the purposes of an office chair.

Leaning is a good compromise to standing or sitting. It reduces the weight on our spines and distributes it to whatever we are leaning on.

This type of standing desk chair is great for those who stand more than sit. It provides a break from standing while making it easier to maintain proper posture.

So which is best?

We like a drafting chair for most people who are new to standing desks, or who tend to sit more than stand. They provide all the benefits of an ergonomic chair while making it easy to transition from sitting to standing when working at a standing desk.

For those who stand more than sit, we like the typical standing desk. The wobble seat hasn’t sold us, and the ergonomic shape and backrest provide more back pain support than a wobble chair. Creators of the standing desk have made these chairs specifically for use with standing desks. They realize that standing all the time can be just as bad or worse than sitting all day. These chairs make having a balance much easier without disturbing workflow or sacrificing comfortability.

A standing desk chair with a standing desk mat is a great combination. Some standing desk chair, like the Leanrite chair, provides both. We like this chair the most not only for the attached mat, but the added stability that comes with a larger base. It has padding specifically for leaning and sitting. We think this has it all and is our favorite.

(Affiliate Links)
Find Standing Desk Chairs on Amazon
on eBay
Find Drafting Chairs on Amazon
on eBay

The Best Memory Foam Mattresses | Signature Sleep | Nectar | SnugglePedic | Layla | Tuft and Needle

In today’s video we’re going to be checking out the best memory foam mattress. If you’re looking for back support while sleeping, a memory foam mattress could be just what you need to get a great night’s sleep and relieve an aching back.

Mattresses In This Video (affiliate links):
Signature Sleep Flex
Nectar ($100 off coupon)
SnugglePedic
Layla
Tuft & Needle

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Finding the Right Mattress For Back Pain
The Best Hybrid Mattresses
The Best Memory Foam Mattresses