Rehabilitation - comments

Mr. Greg Usher has developed a prototype balance seat over the past 4 years. Its structural integrity has been tested and confirmed by the Department of Engineering, Wollongong University. Worksafe Australia assisted with a number of design aspects which are now incorporated in the prototype. Field tests to date have indicated an enthusiastic acceptance of the prototype by a number of people with long standing back pain. A number of prototypes have already been sold. There is an expectation that the use of this seat will reduce the incidence of back pain in the workplace, particularly in occupations such as dedicated keyboard operators, telemarketers, dispatchers and gantry crane operators

This Centre would support the further research and development of this innovative seat design.

Our major interest in the success of this venture will be its anticipated contribution to the reduction of the cost to industry of back pain.
 

Dr. R Oakeshott
Director of Clinical Services.
Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney

Chiropractic - comments

There appears to be a reduced compressive load on areas in the spine as weight is borne more evenly with the spine in a relatively natural /neutral upright posture.

The hip joints are less flexed than in a more conventional chair. This minimises the usual tendency for thigh muscle contracture due to shortened muscle lengths whilst seated. In this regard the seat is especially useful to those who adopt prolonged sedentary posture.

The pivot movements which are unique to the Equipoise seat appear to combat fluid stasis, (the tendency for blood and lymphatic fluid to 'back up' and become congested whilst seated). This feature appears to be a major innovation in the Equipoise seat. Additionally, this movement would be useful for lumbar disc and other tissue nourishment as well as improved efficiency in tissue waste product removal.
 

R. Bonello
Director
The Centre for Chiropractic
Macquarie University

Comments from buyers

The originals of the following letters are available for viewing at the office of  ADJUSTABLE SEATING
 
 

I have been using and prescribing the EquipoisE for 12 months and have found it of great benefit in preventing and reducing the incidence of back and neck pain in my patients. I use one in my office and prefer it over any other chair.
Tony . Physiotherapist
 

I have been using an EquipoisE and find it extremely comfortable and beneficial. Professor W.  Wollongong University
 

Although... only using the EquipoisE for a few weeks, it has already given me substantial relief from chronic back pain.
Norm  Public Notary, Sydney
 

...neck ache relieved within 10 or 15 minutes... have also noted, as have my friends, a marked improvement in my posture.
Cecilia, Registered Nurse.   Fairy Meadow
 

I weigh over 20 stone and suffer from spondylitis, I bought one of the early models  about 6 years ago, then after using it for a couple of weeks I bought several more for my staff. Recently, under extreme pressure, I worked 104 hours in 7 days at the computer, though exhausted at the end I experienced no backache.
Ken,  Desktop Publisher.   Bomaderry
 

...I've always had trouble with chairs as I am 6'8" tall, but with the Equipoise set on the last setting and the top one on the shin cushion, it fits me just fine...congratulations!
Rob,  Manager  Kiama
 

...experienced severe pain when sitting... can sit now at needlework for hours and concentrate without discomfort.
Patricia, Craft Enthusiast.  Canowindra
 

...can concentrate much better, ...noted a definite improvement in productivity. Claudia,    Graphic Artist, Bellawongarrah
 

...EquipoisE position takes the pressure off my lower spine. I would recommend to anyone with lower back problems. 
Frances,  Administration.   Murdoch University.
 
...I have been using the Equipoise for the past 7 years and as a computer artist, I spend a lot of time sitting and find the chair to be very comfortable. Now,  when sitting in conventional chairs my natural tendency is to correct my posture automatically, and I put this down to the effect of sitting for long periods in the Equipoise. Well done Greg...
Thomas,  Web Designer  Berry
 

...I would like to take this opportunity to express my delight with the Equipoise. I have 3 bad discs in my lower back and had found sitting for any length of time quite painful. But with your chair I can sit for hours extremely comfortable. Getting in and out of chairs was another big problem for me as I am only 5' tall, but the way your chair is designed I have no problem. Other chairs I had worked at had the bar across between the knee rest and seat that you had to step over, but I can just walk into the Equipoise. I tried about 15 different chairs at the Independent Living Centre and while yours was the most expensive, once I sat in it - I had to have it. It has been worth it's weight in gold. 
Eileen,  Secretary  Moe