Wheelchairs play a great role in assisting and supporting people who are suffering from fatal back injuries or impairments that restrict their ability to walk independently. Wheelchairs assist mobility and help improve the quality of life. However, apart from reaping its immense benefits, wheelchair users often struggle with several health issues, which include reduced bone density, pressure sores, muscle spasms, joint problems, etc. The main cause of all these issues is considered to be wrong posture and improper cushioning, which can aggravate the back pain instead of alleviating the same. All these health issues can be prevented if you choose the right wheelchair back cushion, which supports your back and sit bones and improves your posture. Posture alignment plays a great role in enhancing the comfort level by reducing the vertical pressure from your lumbar back.
Role of Good Quality Wheelchair Cushions
After sitting on a flat surface for almost 7-8 hours, just imagine the condition of your pelvic area and sit bones. With no padding, your spine receives all the pressure and experiences unbearable pain due to insufficient support and cushioning. This can further aggravate back pain or can even lead to health issues like sciatica, lower back pain, fidgeting, degenerate discs, groin pain, and hip pain, etc.
Our spine has a natural S-curve, which needs support while sitting. For people who use wheelchairs, additional support is required in the lumbar region as they spend long hours sitting in a wheelchair in the same position. Therefore, the quality of wheelchair cushions in terms of material, firmness, and size matters a lot. A wheelchair cushion distributes the pressure evenly and reduces the shear stress from your thighs.
Here are some additional benefits offered by a good quality wheelchair cushion, which would surely reiterate the importance of investing time in choosing the best wheelchair back cushions.
Improves Blood Circulation: The main motive of using wheelchair cushions is to improve the blood circulation in your pelvic region, which bears all your vertical pressure. When you are in a wheelchair, the vertical pressure is high; long sitting hours further aggravate the stress and restrict the blood flow, which in turn, results in numbness, fidgeting, and back pain. There are gel cushions, air cushions, or memory foam wheelchair cushions in the market that support your back and play a great role in preventing back pain. Ergo21 Wheelchair Cushions are a great option if you’re looking for advanced options. These cushions feature state-of-the-art LiquiCell technology, which works on liquid-filled membranes, which help distribute the pressure evenly and let your body glide so that there is no constant pressure on your sit bones.
Encourage Proper Posture: A good quality wheelchair cushion supports your back and sit bones and encourages an upright position so that you can sit comfortably in the right position by filling the gap between your back and the chair. These cushions also provide sufficient cushioning to your sit bones. There are many brands in the market, which are compatible with different types of wheelchairs. Do thorough research to find out the best wheelchair back cushion that suits your requirements. You can check Ergo21 wheelchair cushions as they are versatile and can be used on recreational scooters, mobility scooters, sports wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, etc.
Prevent Pressure Sores: People who use wheelchairs often experience pressure sores, which are very painful and cause discomfort, especially if you use a wheelchair for long hours. Apart from using a good quality cushion, it is important to make sure that you change your position often and keep your position upright. Maintaining good hygiene and the right nutrition can improve this condition drastically. Ergo21 wheelchair cushions are available in 5 sizes including regular, large, large deluxe, and extra-large. Depending upon the weight you can choose the right wheelchair cushion.
Apart from considering all the above-mentioned factors, it is important to keep in mind the material of the cushions. There are a wide array of options in the market, which includes foam cushion, gel cushion, air cushion, honeycomb cushion, and advanced Liquicell technology cushions. All of these cushions have pros and cons, hence, make a smart choice by researching a bit!
Factors like cost, weight, stability, pressure distribution, and material play a great role in improving the quality of wheelchair back cushions. Research whether the cushion loses its shape or adds weight to the wheelchair, or requires regular checks on the weight and shape. If you get clarity on all these aspects, it would be much easier to choose the right wheelchair cushion.
