robison@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (12/05/84)
I'm responding, somewhat off the subject, to the query about
backstrain relieved (?) by the British chair design.
For some types of back problem, an item called a "lumbar roll",
which seems to be not well known, works very well. It cost me
$14 two years ago, and consists of a fine fabric exterior
(at least, the Mackenzie brand does), and a foam interior in the
shape of a cylinder about 4" in diameter and a foot long.
It is very versatile. You can place it high or low on the back,
to one side or in the middle. It may take some getting used to,
but it is excellent if you need spot support. It adapts to many
car seats well.
Another tip for backstrain people which I have never seen anywhere
else:
When you open doors and drawers, you anchor your arm motions
in your back, and place a lot of strain on them, even in the case
of a simple bureau drawer or refrigerator. It is easy to avoid
this strain. Learn to open things by anchoring your thumb(s)
on the surface that won't move, and pressing in the opposite
direction with yourt fingers. In this way you use only hand muscles.
For example, to open a bureau drawer, place yur thumbs on the frame
and move the handles with your fingers.
- Toby Robison (not Robinson!)
{allegra, decvax!ittvax, fisher, princeton}!eosp1!robison