Tips for Living with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common arthritis-related illness. Fatigue, insomnia, abdominal pain, stiffness, chronic headaches, dry eyes, muscle and joint pain are symptoms of this disease, which affects 12 million people in the US alone. Besides physical pain, there is a mental and emotional component as well. Many fibromyalgia sufferers experience social isolation, loneliness, and depression as a result of their condition.

Below are some ways to cope if you have fibromyalgia.

Get better sleep. Make sure your bedroom is free from distractions. TV, pets, tick-tocking clocks – all of these can throw off your sleep pattern. For reducing fibromyalgia-related insomnia, create a sleep environment that is calm, quiet, and at a slightly cooler temperature. Your bedding is hugely important for getting better sleep as well. A pressure-relieving mattress that reduces pressure points can be particularly beneficial. Tempur-Pedic specializes in these kind of mattresses, which conform to your unique contours in a way that traditional mattresses do not.

Exercise. Because of the pain and fatigue symptoms, it’s not uncommon for people with fibromyalgia to become unfit through lack of exercise. Aerobic exercise, however, is a good way to reduce pain and stay fit. Strenuous exercise, the kind that improves endurance and stamina, helps release endorphins into the blood stream, which provide feelings of well being. Endorphins also have an analgesic effect on tired, achy muscles. With regular exercise, you can curtail fibromyalgia symptoms noticeably.

Learn to say “no.” This may sound like an odd tip for fibromyalgia. However, learning to say no can help prevent you from feeling tired and overburdened. Life presents us with seemingly limitless demands on our time and energy, so it’s important to prioritize. Take time for the things you value, but trying to do everything can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Keep in mind, too, that constant tiredness makes it harder to heal. To stay on top of fibromyalgia, learn to say no every now and then. Your body will thank you.

Heat therapy. Heat relaxes muscles and encourages blood flow, both essential for speedy healing. Good circulation also helps remove built up waste left by muscle spasms, a frequent fibromyalgia symptom. Perhaps the most welcome effect of heat therapy is pain reduction. Whether using a heating pad or a moist, warm cloth, heat therapy can relieve chronic aches and pains.

Meet others with fibromyalgia. Oftentimes, people with fibromyalgia feel alienated or depressed because of the severity of their symptoms. It can be difficult to talk about, so we recommend finding a fibromyalgia support group. Talking with others going through the same thing can provide a emotional boost. A support group can also be a great resource for pain-relief tips and encouragement. Many health care providers also endorse support group participation as a way to reduce stress and improve coping skills.

Coping with a Herniated Disc

If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a herniated disc, then you know its painful symptoms. Leg pain, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms – all these can make standing or sitting for prolonged periods a real challenge. Luckily, there are numerous ways you can alleviate or improve your symptoms.

1. Don’t ignore it. This one goes for guys especially. Men are more likely to ignore a herniated disc because they feel that they should just “tough it out”, no matter what kind of pain they’re in. To better cope with a herniated disc, acknowledge your pain and take the necessary steps to heal.
2. Rest and relaxation. Get your rest. The body heals faster when you are well-rested. Time, and rest, help resolve the symptoms associated with a herniated disc. Try for at least eight hours a night of uninterrupted sleep.
3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. There are a host of herniated disc exercises prescribed by doctors and health care professionals around the world. Exercises that increase balance, strength, and flexibility are excellent for improving the pain associated with a herniated disc. Others include spinal extension exercises, which increase the curve of the back away from the herniated disc. Bouncing exercises, in which you bounce up and down to increase oxygen to the discs, are also good for alleviating pain. Our FitBALL is particularly good for this type of exercise.
   

   Get more oxygen to your discs with bouncing exercises. A FitBALL is particularly good for these type of exercises.

4. Reduce your stress. Stress makes everything worse, so learn how to relax. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and physical activity all help to reduce stress, clear your mind, and promote healing. Physical activity also releases a hormone called endorphins, which can promote a feeling of well-being.
5. Ice and heat. Hot and cold therapy can help relieve the painful symptoms of disc herniation, while also reducing the pain from muscle spasms.

Enter Our Ugliest Office Chair Contest for a Chance to Win a Luxurious Executive Chair!

Enter Our Ugliest Chair Contest and Win a Luxurious Executive Office Chair!

Send Us a Photo of the Ugliest Chair in Your Office and Enter for a Chance to Win a Lifeform Ultimate Mid-Back Executive Office Chair!

A $2495 Value FREE, with your choice of material: Dream Weave, Simulated Leather, or Premium Leather!

Send us a Friend Request on Facebook (find us here: http://on.fb.me/gGNvU0) and then post your photo to our wall! We’ll announce the winner on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011!

Life’s too short for office chair envy! Enter for a Chance to Win Today!

How to Choose a Tempur-Pedic Pillow: What’s Your Sleep “Personality”?

If you want more sleep, try a pillow from Tempur-Pedic

Known for their mattresses, Tempur-Pedic offers a line of quality pillows for every sleep position. If you sleep mainly on your side, then you’ll want to try Tempur-Pedic’s SidePillow. This pillow’s unique shape was developed by doctors to encourage proper head and neck alignment. Because of its ergonomic friendliness, it promotes deep relaxation, for long-lasting pain relief. The SidePillow also helps prevent snoring by providing improved alignment for your neck, head, and shoulders, which opens up your airway. For best results, rest your head in the center of the pillow. This keeps your chin away from your chest, further opening up your airways.

For particularly loud snorers, your sleep partner will be so thankful.

The Body Pillow

The BodyPillow is another great one for side sleepers. This pillow is 48”, so it’s a little longer than most models. Its long design, however, provides support for the entire body, making it an ideal pillow for expectant mothers. The TEMPUR material also makes it easy to shape it to your unique body contours.

For Back Sleepers

The Rhapsody Pillow.

If you’re a back sleeper, you may want something a little more traditional. The Rhapsody Pillow comes in a conventional shape, with the same pressure-relieving material as the SidePillow. The Rhapsody cushions every contour of your neck, shoulders, and head with a super-conforming inner sleeve. If you have allergies, you can relax with this pillow under your head. It is allergen and dust mite resistant, with a washable cover.

 

If you have a stiff neck….

The NeckPillow, in particular, is recommended for those who need a more therapeutic sleep posture. The dual lobe design supports the curve of you head, neck

Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow

and shoulders for optimal spinal alignment. However, make sure you choose the proper pillow thickness based on your shoulder dimensions and sleeping position. Proper alignment and posture are absolutely essential for a good night’s rest, so if you’re interested in the NeckPillow, choose the proper pillow thickness according to height and width of your shoulders in your natural sleeping position.

Another pillow that can help relieve neck pain is the TEMPUR-Cloud. The Cloud is built for people who often wake up with a stiff neck or knotty shoulders. It’s an extra soft pillow that provides proper support for the head and neck. It’s designed to increase your relaxation and it got its name for a reason – after a few nights you’ll feel as if you’re sleeping on a cloud.

Designed to Fit Your Body

Part of what makes Tempur-Pedic pillows different is that they are designed for the human body. Their ergonomic friendliness can be especially beneficial if you have suffered an injury or have a chronic condition. In fact, their pillows are designed to complement their mattresses, from basic models such as the ClassicBed to the luxurious CelebrityBed. Whether you sleep on your side or your back, if you snore or have an injury, or if you just want to get a better night’s rest, Tempur-Pedic has a pillow for you.

If you would like to get fitted for a proper pillow, please visit your local Relax The Back store to receive a personal fitting by our staff who are trained in ergonomics, posture, and spinal disorders.

Relax The Back Employee Picks

Employees of Relax The Back pick their favorite ergonomic products.

Part of what makes Relax The Back a different kind of company is that we actually use the products ourselves. We pride ourselves on our customer service because WE are customers, too. Below are the favorite products of a few Relax The Back employees.

Ernest Benion, Jr., Sales and Training Manager
Foam Roller-I love the Foam Roller.  The added intensity is perfect for me in the office.  After sitting for long periods, I like using the foam roller on my back to help me feel rejuvenated and refreshed.  I also love its versatility, as I can gently or aggressively massage any area of my body.  I recommend using this $30 item at the office a few times per day.  You’ll be amazed how much better you feel, and how much better your mental clarity will be!

SANYO Foot Massager

Betsy Rodriguez, Marketing Project Manager
Sanyo Foot Massager – As a participant in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I often think of the Sanyo Foot Massager during my training walks. I’ve tried many foot massagers over the years that were too hard on my feet, but I LOVE the Sanyo Foot Massager.  I jokingly call it my boyfriend.

Robert McMillan, Chief Financial Officer
Human Touch 1650 Massage Chair – I have a Human Touch 1650 massage chair which I try to use every day. I am an avid tennis player but I broke my ankle twice when I was young and it can cause me some mobility problems. If I can get at least ½ hour on the massage chair after playing I am good to go for my next match.

Lifeform Mid Back Executive Chair

Matt Geer, Chief Creative Design Coordinator
Lifeform® Ultimate Mid Back Executive Office Chair – I sit in a Lifeform® Ultimate Mid Back Executive Office Chair at work and I must say, it’s done wonders for my back! Before coming to work here I had major back problems from sitting incorrectly in poorly-designed chairs all day. By switching to an ergonomic office chair all those back problems have cleared up. Not only that, but it’s the most comfortable office chair I’ve ever sat in.

Donnikah Y. Castillo, Customer Service Representative
Portable FIR Heat Back Wrap – The Portable Far Infrared Heat Back Wrap is one of my favorite products to use in the office. I get cold easily and this wrap is a great “warm up” for the day. The belt can be hidden under your clothing so no one can tell you’re wearing it! I love how it has a rechargeable battery so I can leave my desk as I please and I don’t have to worry about getting yanked by any cords. I just turn it on and I’m set for the next 2-3 hours.

Brendan Gill, E-Commerce Manager
Theracane – I love the Theracane, a lightweight, handheld massager. It’s hard to believe how many knots I had in my back before I started using it. I use the Theracane twice a day and it has made my neck and shoulders a lot less stiff. My range of motion is better, too. If you don’t have time for a massage, I recommend this $35 device. It provides a similar level of comfort, in as little as two minutes.

Contourside Travel Pillow

Mandy Stevens, Customer Service Supervisor
ContourSide Travel Pillow – A few years ago I received the ContourSide Travel Pillow for a Christmas gift, and I don’t think I have slept without it since.  Before I started using the ContourSide Pillow I would wake up with all this tension in my neck from the lack of support I was getting from my traditional pillow.  Now I wake up well rested and tension free.  I have found that the support I get from this pillow is far above any other pillow I have ever slept on.  So much so, that I take my pillow everywhere I go.

Jeff Dewane, Real Estate Manager
Back-A-Traction Inversion Table—I love the feeling when I finish a session on my inversion table. You can exercise, stretch, or just relax in an inverted position. The ability to lock in position at -30, -15 and 0 degrees gives you the extra sense of control. Every time I use it I few refreshed and renewed. I recommend you use just prior to going to bed to maximize the benefits of inversion therapy.

Mastercare Inversion Table

Review: The Theracane

This funny-looking device can give you a therapeutic, low-cost massage, if you’re willing to do it yourself.

The Theracane may not ever win a beauty pageant. It’s green, shaped like a shepherd’s crook, with two round-tipped handles and an assortment of other knobs. If you compare it to the sleek Sogno DreamWave Massage Chair, it will always be the ugly duckling. 

But looks can be deceiving. 

Made of solid fiberglass, the Theracane is a lightweight, handheld massager that can reduce your muscle tension in as little as two minutes. It doesn’t require a degree in kinesiology to use, either. You simply have to know where it hurts. 

The Theracane can easily massage away knots and stiff areas, relieving weeks and months of tension – even years. Its hook design is specially made to massage those hard-to-reach areas on your body: the middle of your back and shoulders, the soles of your feet, and the back of your legs. All it requires is a gentle back and forth motion, with a round tip focused on the problem area. 

Be careful not to put one of the treatment balls directly on your spine or sciatic, however. That can hurt more than help. Just knead your muscles with the cane until you feel your tension dissipate. If you’re stumped for ideas on how to use the Theracane, it comes with a useful booklet with pictures. The tips are helpful, but if you’re like me, you’ll come up with a few ways to use the $35 device on your own. 

When I first looked at the Theracane I was skeptical. I didn’t think something so simple (and funny looking) could possibly help with chronic muscle tension and fatigue. But I was wrong. Its simplicity is its advantage. You can use the Theracane in the car (while not driving, of course!), at the office, or on your lunch break (I often do). It doesn’t require any maintenance and it stores easily in a closet or medium-sized drawer. Its low-tech elegance makes it a breeze to get a nice low-cost/no-cost massage anywhere. You just have to be willing to withstand a few stares at first. 

That is, until your friends, co-workers, or family members want to give it a try.

Review: McCarty’s Sacroease Back Support

Reduce tension on your back while driving with a Sacroease.

Calling all Lexus, Mercedes Benz and BMW owners – your luxury car may not be complete without a proper ergonomic back support.

I love my Lexus. On the days I get it washed and detailed, it’s like riding in a luxury hotel suite. As someone with a heavy daily commute, that’s a wonderful thing. Still, I have to admit, its seating is a little less than luxurious. I did some research and discovered that Mercedes Benz and BMW drivers often have the same complaint. It seems that luxury cars are well-known for high-performance engineering, but they leave a little to be desired in the ergonomic seating department.

After an informal poll, I found that a LOT of vehicles, luxury automobiles included, make it difficult to maintain good posture. Most seats, whether made with rich, Corinthian leather or not, encourage bad posture by not supporting the lower back and spine. This often results in drivers, like me, hunching over the steering wheel, their backs contorted into a “C” shape.

But, rather than gut my Lexus to put in all-new seating, which would have been way too expensive, I decided to try the Sacroease, from McCarty. The difference was immediate and profound. Instead of driving hunched over, the back support practically forced me to maintain a healthy posture. It helped me to sit in an ergonomically correct “S” curve when driving. It also provided support behind my back and under my hips.

According to back specialists, this kind of support takes the strain off your spinal discs, allowing fluid to flow in the spine. Occasionally, I’ve noticed an uncomfortable swelling in my lower back after long road trips. After using the Sacroease, however, I found that my back could “breathe” better and my muscles felt less tense. Since I’ve started using it, I’ve also experienced fewer pinched nerves, which in the past have affected my entire body.  

But perhaps the biggest difference has been less road vibration. No matter how often I replace my car’s shock absorbers, gravel, potholes, bumps, dips and other road hazards make it rattle like a mini earthquake. With the Sacroease, though, I’ve noticed that a lot less. It seems that the road vibrations are absorbed by the rubber support, not my spine and hips.

I will say that one advantage the Sacroease has over other posture correction products is its customization. It’s not made one-size-fits-all like other wood or plastic travel supports. It’s made of a bendable metal that I went to my local Relax The Back to have fitted to my body’s unique contours. Relax The Back remains one of the few specialty retailers that provides this service, but you have to do it in-store.

One last reason I recommend trying the Sacroease is that it comes with a five-year warranty, the same as my Lexus. In that way, my vehicle, back support, and me are made for each other.

Review: The PureRelax Mattress by Relax The Back

The PureRelax Mattress by Relax The Back

People have been sleeping on mattresses, in some form or another, for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians slept on palm boughs heaped in a pile in their homes. The Romans slept on bags of cloth filled with wool or hay. It wasn’t until the 1970s, however, that the science of sleep took a leap forward. In the decade after the Moon landing, scientists at NASA developed a material that became known as memory foam.

With a memory foam mattress, there are no pressure points to strain the joints or muscles. Pressure points can be the cause of restless tossing and turning, preventing you from sleeping the entire night through. This interrupted sleep can be detrimental to your health over time. For years, studies have linked lack of sleep to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, weight problems and more. Although there is disagreement in the medical community about the exact effects of little sleep, anyone who’s pulled an all-nighter can tell you it throws off a host of body functions.

With that in mind, I tried the PureRelax Mattress by Relax The Back. The common wisdom with memory foam mattresses is that you have to try them for 15-30 minutes in the store without getting up. Then, if you like what you feel, you should try it in your home for a minimum of 30 days. The reason behind the 30-day minimum is that it takes that long to get the mattress’s full benefit.  Because, although it looks comfortable, it takes a while to get used to it. At first, it was awkward, trying to adjust my shoulder blades (and posterior) to the memory foam. But, after a week, I found myself a lot more comfortable. When I adjusted to the memory foam technology, my body’s shape, weight and temperature did all the work, making the bed my own.

Because I now experience less tossing and turning, I find that I wake up ready to start the day. With the PureRelax mattress, I hit the snooze button a lot less. Perhaps the best thing about my foam mattress experience is that my expectations have been raised. Now, I expect to sleep longer and more deeply, as well as wake up more refreshed. I realize that I don’t have to spend the night drifting in and out of sleep on a flat mattress, in which I conform to it, rather than the other way around.

People often balk at the price of memory foam mattresses and I don’t blame them. Let’s face it – Tempur-Pedic and other memory foam mattresses don’t come cheap. But, for me, it was about making an investment in my health and well-being. I wake up now feeling much better than I used to. For me that’s hard to put a price on. It also goes with my philosophy that you should spend the extra money on things you use every day for extended periods of time. For example, it pays to have quality shoes, cell phones, and computers because of how much and how often we use them.  The same goes for mattresses, where we spend, hopefully, eight hours a day.

Or, more accurately, a third of our lives.

The Self Inflating Back Rest (SIBR)

Over 70% of the United States population experiences back pain during their lifetime and most have experienced back pain within the last 3 weeks, this is why the Self Inflating Back Rest or SIBR is a great product to use. The majority of people think sitting is a restful position, but research has shown that sitting actually creates increased pressure in the discs of the lower spine. The problem is made worse by slouching in our chairs, which people tend to do. The majority of chairs produced lack adequate lumbar support which can contribute to slouching. Prolonged and repetitious slouching can increase strain in the lower back causing damage or injury to spinal discs.

Relax The Back Self Inflating Back Rest

The Self Inflating Back Rest  prevents slouching by supporting the natural curve of the lower back when sitting. Lower back support when sitting also encourages forward tilting of the pelvis area. When supported correctly by the Self Inflating Back Rest the discs and joints of the lower spine are aligned in a position which mechanically is less stressful, and can help prevent future injury and pain.

When should I use the SIBR?

Sooner than Later… is the best advice that can be given regarding taking the steps necessary to reduce back pain. Common sense tells us taking care of health problems before they get severe is in the best interest of our bodies and a smart decision. Unfortunately, most people do not practice this theory when it comes to their backs. People brush their teeth; watch their diet or limit activities in the sun, to prevent a problem regarding their health, but when it comes to our backs, we generally react to pain verses being proactive in preventing the problem.

Using the Self Inflating Back Rest is a step in the right direction and a proactive one. By using the SIBR, you will immediately see improvement and you will head off any future back problems associated with poor posture.

At home, at work, while driving, traveling, working on a computer, or any activity associated with sitting, the Self Inflating Back Rest provides relief and comfort in every situation.

Visit Relax The Back or a Relax The Back Location near you.

The Ergonomic Desk

The main goal of the ergonomic computer desk is to provide proper adjustments for the placement of the elements in order to provide maximum comfort to the user. The ergonomic computer desk should be able to adjust the height and angle of the keyboard tray, monitor shelf and other elements.

An ergonomic desk is the important thing to be considered for setting up a home office to a corporate office. The ergonomic desk is a modern desk, which provides good comfortable postures to handle things at the workstation. These ergonomic desks provide a solution to the Repetitive strain injury and Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ergonomic desk should be at same distance from your eyes as to the monitor to avoid the frequent changes of focus and you should be able you to look from one to the other without moving your neck or back. It should support the document holder. Place the phone on the side of your non-dominant hand.

The Position your desk lamp on the ergonomic desk should be so that it illuminates source documents without causing either glare on the computer screen or direct illumination to your eyes. It should be stable and adjustable. A document holder should be used if documents are referred to during keying.

The desktop should be organized so that frequently used objects are close to the user to avoid excessive extended reaching. If a fixed-height desk is used, add a keyboard tray that adjusts vertically to provide added adjustability.

The area underneath the ergonomic desk should always be clean and uncluttered to accommodate the user’s legs and allow for stretching. The work surface should have a matte finish to minimize glare or reflections. A footrest should be used if, after adjusting the height of the chair, feet do not rest flat on the floor.