Orthopedic Back Stretching Support Stretch Mate for Back and Sciatica Pain with Cushion Pad

This product is awesome. I've bought many others before getting this and they all failed. My back is so much better because of it. I have to admit though that at first I did not like it. It felt weird and painful the first few times that I stopped using it but eventually the pain in my back was greater so I gave it another try. What I realized was after using it everyday for over a week, was that my back started feeling much better and it no longer felt weird or painful. My guess is that my back was so tight and messed up from years of neglect that getting it back to normal was the reason why it had felt so weird/painful. After a few weeks I couldn't believe the change I felt in my back from using this product. It was awesome!I'm 6ft and weigh around 190-200 and it's able to hold my weight. The one downside is that it's made of plastic so it can break. I've bought 2 of these so far and I don't regret it. They both lasted over a year before one of the sides broke on each one but thankfully I was able to use parts from each to make a 3rd one. The reason they broke was because I got careless and laid on them wrong when I was in a hurry. Learned my lesson though.If it breaks again then I'm going to buy another because it does wonders for my back. For the price and how long they can last even with constant use (I use mine about 3 times a day) it's well worth it. Especially when considering that I can buy several of these as compared to just going to the chiropractor once.

It gives a decent stretch, but the plastic ridges can really dig in the the spinal muscles, which doesn't seem at all necessary for a stretching tool. I use only the steepest side for the most effect possible on my two herniated disks. It can help a bad flare up and it's cheap enough to be worth trying it. I've had every other treatment known over the 12 years of my back problem, and this is actually one piece that can help. I'll lay on it for about 10 minutes at a time and couple days a week. The last rung on the ladder so to speak, can sometimes dig into the pelvis bone a bit, so it's not real comfy, but it can help chronic conditions like mine. Just as an fyi, I'm 37 years old, 6'1" and I weigh 205 lbs. The most effective treatments I've found are nutrition and exercise, hydration, vicodine, never lifting anything of the floor again, and drinking until it doesn't matter...which hurts hydration. This item, and a massage chair (or professional massage if you can afford it) and chiropractic can help too. Everything else is just crap designed to take your money.

This inexpensive back stretcher works by reversing the curvature of the spine that we experience during a normal day's sitting. The theory is that back muscles get so strained from the "normal" position that we mostly use during work that they tighten up like knots. And, as anyone with back problems can tell you, those "knots" can be exceedingly difficult to reach with massagers, hand rubs, and so on.This lightweight but heavy duty stretcher is curved in such way that you can lay on it in different positions and stretch, alternately, your upper back, your middle back, or your lower back. It is recommended that you stretch in the position for only about 2-3 minutes per session, and common sense dictates you should start this out slowly, only once per day. But it is also important to do it REGULARLY, EACH day, to get the maximum benefit.The device is made of very touch ABS plastic, and is very lightweight. It comes disassembled, but I had it together in ten minutes. Assembly only requires six bolts and six nuts (all supplied). When you get it together, it feels like a single piece, no squeaks rattles, nothing. It's really quite a nice design. (Think of it: you can even disassemble it and bring it on vacation, if you wish, since it is so lightweight and comes apart.)My first stretch on it was very effective. I'm extremely pleased I purchased it. It's not going to "cure" your back problems, but it could make a significant difference in the amount of pain you feel (that is, if your pain is originating for over-pronated back muscles, rather than the many other types of back pain sources). It's a great piece to have in your "bag of tools" for back problems, an issue, that by some accounts, affects some 70% of the adult population. I rate this as a five start product for effectiveness, quality, and price.

This is a type of back stretching device in a similar vein as the Spine Worx, which I already have. However, after a few uses, I am finding this to be more comfortable to use. Instead of balancing the spine on a ridge like the Spineworx, this is a wider carriage that allows the spine to be centered and has ridges on the sides that help with alignment.Unlike the Spineworx which has a solitary use and configuration, you can make adjustments to help your mid back, lumbar or lower back and the upper back. It is recommended that you rest upon the stretcher for 3 minutes, and in just a few seconds, I can feel my spine going into alignment. Depending upon your leg and hip position, you can have more or less tension for relief.Now, because there aren't adhesive or rubber stoppers, I don't recommend using this on a hardwood floor. I do feel the base slipping somewhat. It's definitely more ideal on a carpeted surface.The construction is solid, and I'm surprise at how well it worked for the cost.Obviously, the caveats are for people with low bone density because of the chances of fracturing the spine. The same caveat and avoidance is for someone with spinal fusion from surgery or conditions, like Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) or ankylosing spondylitis, where the spine tends to fuse. It is best to consult with a doctor if you are not sure of what conditions that you may have, as this can be more harmful than beneficial.For me, my mechanical back pain has improved with just a few uses.Two thumbs up for me.