New Device Treats Back Injury Without Medical Help

Main Category: Back Pain
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 01 Jun 2004 - 15:00 PDT

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A new device, called BackLife, exercises the back and pelvis and enabled Tony Johnstone to recover from a debilitating back injury. It employs a technique called continuous passive movement which gently rotates the pelvis, relieving pressure on the spine.

INFORMATION FROM THE BACKLIFE WEB SITE

Backlife operates on the familiar principle of CPM (Continuous Passive Movement), which is a method of treatment performed while the patient is in a state of total relaxation.

Backlife is the first home based device to apply the CPM technique for the treatment of lower back pain.

The device performs a gentle and repeated circular motion, which moves the vertebrae of the lower back and the pelvic area.

WHAT DOES CPM MOVEMENT ACHIEVE?

It reduces the natural aversion to movement of the painful pelvic area usually experienced by patients.

It gently releases intervertebral pressure and increases the space between vertebrae.

It levels the hip arch (straightens the curvature of the lower back).

It increases metabolism in the area and enhances blood flow.

It enables the passage of oxygen and nutritional material while speeding up disposal of waste products.

It releases endorphins (natural painkillers released by the body) which assist in reducing tension and in relaxing muscles and provide a sense of relief.

It soothes the patient and relaxes muscles.

WHY IS IT EFFECTIVE? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

Backlife reduces the stress and pressure on the lower back.

Backlife restores back mobility and improves stability.

Backlife reduces back pain with regular use.

Backlife improves posture.

Backlife reduces muscle tension.

BACKLIFE IS BASED ON WELL KNOWN THERAPEUTIC METHODS.

The user lies on his back, totally relaxed, with knees bent over the device in a position known as the 'Semi Fowler' position.

The device moves the lower back vertebrae in a regular circular motion (a motion known as 'Anterior-Posterior Pelvic Tilt'). This forward movement, Posterior Pelvic Tilt, performs a circular motion which levels the hip arch, gently releases the vertebrae, increases metabolism in that area, enhances blood flow and enables the passage of oxygen and nutritional material while speeding up disposal of waste products.

This motion, first described by Dr Maitland, the father of modern physiotherapy, helps restore mobility to the patient and to their damaged tissues. At the same time, the repeated motion soothes pain sensors and facilitates the release of endorphins, which assist in providing relief.

CAN ANYONE USE BACKLIFE?

The golden rule is:
If you can have physiotherapy you can use Backlife

Backlife is a safe device, which has been scientifically tested and found not to cause any damage or to aggravate the patient's condition.

However there are cases in which we recommend you consult your doctor prior to using Backlife. These Are:

If you have had back surgery, including spinal fusion, in the last year or thigh surgery in the last six months.

If you suffer from Listesis - spinal dis-algiment from grade 2 and above.

In cases where there is central pressure on the spinal cord with the following symptoms: poor balance, urinating problems and numbness in both legs.

If you are Pregnant.

BACKLIFE WAS TRIED AND TESTED

Research and professional development of Backlife took three years and was closely supported by the professional direction of senior physicians and physiotherapists at health centers in both Israel and the U.S.A.

Over the past three years Backlife has conducted several research programs and observations with approximately 330 patients in Israel and elsewhere. They were conducted under the direction of; Dr Yigal Mirovsky - Director of the Spine Department at the Assaf Ha'rofe Hospital and supervised by Professor Nachum Halperin - Director of the hospital's Orthopedic Department, Dr Reuven Gapstein - Director of the Spine Department at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, Dr Steven Lamm, Senior Manager of the Medical Department at New York University (NYU) and Roi Ramot, the company's chief physiotherapist and holder of an MA in Anatomy and Anthropology from Tel Aviv University.

The results of research in both Israel and the U.S.A. point to Backlife's safety and effectiveness in reducing the sensation of stress and pressure, in restoring mobility and improving stability and, with regular use, reducing the intensity of pain.

http://www.backlife.com