| Now I know what some of you are saying, "Once | | | | balanced, unknowingly and without effort you are |
| you've got back pain, you've got it forever." Well from | | | | exercising a large group of muscles. By strengthening |
| my experience, that statement couldn't be further from | | | | your body's core muscle group through "active sitting" |
| the truth. | | | | you help improve your posture, which leads to better |
| A couple of years ago I was preparing for a 4th of | | | | balance and better protection against back injuries. |
| July BBQ. While bringing into the house the final bag full | | | | Moreover, because the ball can be removed from the |
| of supplies I managed to lift and turn the wrong way... | | | | chair's base, it can be used to perform back |
| POP! I clutched my lower back and groaned. I knew | | | | extensions, ab crunches, and a host of other toning |
| immediately something had gone wrong, my mind | | | | exercises. |
| racing because the chiropractor I see works during the | | | | Almost a year going now with the chair and I'm |
| week and it was only Saturday morning, the long | | | | completely satisfied. So much so, I got one for my |
| holiday weekend just beginning. Luckily I was able to | | | | home office. While I could probably use to still do the |
| get in first thing when the office opened the following | | | | back exercises the chiropractor first suggested to me, |
| week. | | | | the chair is most definitely doing the trick. No problems |
| After a few weeks of adjustments my back began to | | | | to report. |
| feel better. Being the instant gratification person that I | | | | Here's some research info I gathered during my trials |
| am, of course I suggested to the doctor that my time | | | | and tribulations with finding and purchasing the right |
| with him was about done. He agreed that while a | | | | chair for me: |
| reduced regiment with him was quickly approaching, it | | | | There are basically four types of these chairs out |
| would be the maintenance program done on my own | | | | there (the most popular). The manufacturers are: |
| that would ensure that no further problems with my | | | | - Gaiam |
| lower back would occur. Armed with an arsenal of | | | | - Health Mark |
| back exercise instructions I thanked the good doctor | | | | - Isokinetics |
| and went on my way. | | | | - FitBall Like I said, I opted for the Gaiam one but I'm |
| Like a good student I did my exercises daily...for the | | | | sure the others are just as good (all have the |
| first two weeks. Then I got bored (also like a good | | | | removable yoga ball). But note that the FitBall chair |
| student) and began to slack off. Every time I would | | | | does NOT come with a basic hand pump so you will |
| visit the chiropractor for routine visits he would ask me | | | | have to purchase that separately. And they are all |
| how the exercises were going, I lied, "They are going | | | | priced about the same ($70-$90 depending on |
| great!" Sure enough, a few months later my back | | | | shipping). You can also pick one up at your local REI. |
| began to act up. Returning to the chiropractic office | | | | And here are some tips to pass on: |
| with my head down, I admitted to him that I hadn't | | | | Tip #1 - I found that when first inflating the yoga ball, it's |
| done the exercises. The reason I gave was because I | | | | better to use a pump with more pressure than the one |
| was just too busy (which is kinda true). He understood, | | | | normally included. Consider a bicycle pump (I went to |
| did another week of adjustments, and I was better. | | | | the gas station). In doing so, you are assured to inflate |
| This time when I left he didn't recommend the | | | | the ball to its proper size. |
| exercises (he knew it was pointless). He handed me a | | | | Tip #2 - If your chair comes with locking wheels (like |
| referral for a special kind of ergonomic chair that | | | | the one from Gaiam), consider putting the two locking |
| would trick me into exercising my back - a chair that | | | | wheels on the back. I found that putting these two |
| would not only strengthen the core muscles in my | | | | wheels at the back prevents inadvertently locking |
| back but would help do it during my long works days | | | | them with my foot. |
| while I sat at my office desk. This I could do. I | | | | Tip #3 - Read up on how to utilize the ball to exercise |
| immediately went online and began researching yoga | | | | different parts of your body. With this chair the benefit |
| ball chairs. | | | | is being able to remove the yoga ball after sitting to do |
| I found that there are quite a few out there. Many are | | | | ab exercises, leg exercises, and arm exercises as well |
| the same chair just branded differently. I settled on the | | | | as stretching and balance training. |
| one from Gaiam, mainly for the trusted name. | | | | Tip #4 - Sit up straight when using your chair! No |
| The chair was easy to assemble, a no-brainer. It's | | | | slouching! |
| basically a yoga ball that sits tightly in a plastic chair | | | | Tip #5 - Have fun bouncing up and down! |
| base. The chair does have a back, but its not one that | | | | Based on my experience, if you have back problems, |
| you want to lean back on so it forces you to sit up | | | | a regiment that includes this type of chair is a must. |
| straight. Apart from offering back and lumbar support, | | | | And while back problems are definitely a pain (pun |
| because your body when seated on the ball is | | | | intended), they don't have to last forever. Good luck! |
| constantly making small adjustments to remain | | | | |