Health

Spine-Worx Back Realignment Device

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Realign vertabrae to natural position

The Spine-Worx Back Realignment Device ($35) isn’t for everybody: if you have a slipped disc or other major back problem, definitely check with your doctor first, and it should not be used in cases of scoliosis. But for those of us with relatively undamaged spines — but enduring chronic back pain, nonetheless — it can be a godsend.

It’s basically a pair of padded ridges in the shape of the average spine, with a groove between them. You lie down on it, carefully laying your spine straight down in the groove…and relax. Bit by bit, over a few minutes, you’ll feel vertebrae shift into alignment. Over time, I’ve noticed this happens faster, and the shifts are smaller: I fit the curve better now, and my back hurts much less despite a job that involves standing on concrete for 8 hours.

After a few minutes, you *carefully* arch your back a bit and roll off the Spine-Worx, and lay curled on your stomach for a couple of minutes. This gives the vertebrae time to settle into their new positions before you start putting weight on them again. This step can be a bit tricky; in the beginning, I found it helpful to have a chair or something nearby to help pull myself over while minimizing pressure on my spine.

I use this after exercising, then stretching my spine with a CoreStretch tool (sort of a poor man’s inversion table) since I have osteoporosis and spine compression is a potential problem. Spine-Worx is the last step in my exercise regimen.

I’ve had this for 8 years now, and it’s made a big difference; I haven’t felt the need to visit a chiropractor since I started using it. In the beginning, I could only tolerate it for a minute or two, but I got used to it pretty quickly. Now, I usually stay on it for about 5 minutes, plus the 2 minute resting period. The manufacturer recommends not using it for longer than 15 minutes twice a day. This item might not be returnable, as it’s a medical device (items that come in contact with your body are often unreturnable); if you find it’s not for you and you can’t return it, consider selling it on eBay. But it’s cheaper than a visit to the chiropractor, so it’s worth giving it a try!

-- Barbara Dace 03/15/19

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