Positioning back rest for manual and power wheelchairs

Have you ever had to sit in an uncomfortable chair for extended periods of time, or been on a long road trip in an uncomfortable seat?

Can you imagine not being able to change seats, or stop and stretch? For some individuals this is an everyday occurrence. They are forced due to profound medical conditions to sit in manual or power wheelchairs from anywhere to 4-16 hours per day. Some have poor trunk control or weakness, and some have none at all.

Manual or Power wheelchairs usually come equipped with many different options when it comes to seating. Most have a sling for a back rest which makes the chair easy to fold, but this offers very little support. Sitting in a sling has been known to cause poor posture, kyphosis, and posterior tilting of the pelvis that can lead to back and neck pain, and even to long-term deformities of the spine and pelvis. These back rests offer nothing to correct correctable deformities.

They now have back rests with different foams, lateral thoracic support and custom molded back to match the contours of one's body.

This allows for greater support, pressure relief, which can maximize ones function and prevent postural deformities.

Under Medicare's guidelines, and most insurances, anyone who qualifies for a manual or power wheelchair, also can qualify for a general use back and cushion.

An individual has to have certain medical conditions to qualify for certain supportive back rest, and anyone receiving these products should see a trained professional to ensure the correct option is being provided.

Positioning backs can be a wonderful tool to help support ones posture and allow for greater function.

If you are interested in finding out more about these types of products or for any other mobility needs you might have, please contact American Seating & Mobility at (877) 339-1234.