Back Support protects spine from accidents.
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Press Release Summary:
Accupressure(TM) pad of composite lightweight materials works biomechanically to reduce back muscle overreaction by applying pressure over areas targeted during acupressure therapy. It has high density woven elastic cinch straps, spring steel orthopedic boning stays and quick-release shoulder straps. Studies document less fatigue in subjects wearing back support.Original Press Release:
Accupressure(TM) Back Support
The Iowa Spine Research Center of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Iowa and patent co-applicant Chase Ergonomics, Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico have collaborated on the development of the ACCUPRESSURE(TM) Back Support, introduced January 2002 by Chase under their Decade(R) brand name.
The breakthrough discovery used in creating this support is a new understanding of how the human body reacts to sudden, unexpected events (accidents) which result in applied loading (stress) to the lumbar spine. One study has shown that, during such events, mean muscle forces are on average 70% greater than forces expended during a planned or expected event.
This over-contraction is often the hazard that triggers back injury. The ACCUPRESSURE Back Support reduces this excess exertion by up to 39% in men and 46% in women. A proprietary acupressure pad of composite lightweight materials works biomechanically to reduce back muscle overreaction by applying pressure over areas targeted during acupressure therapy.
University of Iowa researchers who discovered this effect hypothesize that structures known as Golgi's tendon organs (GTOs), which function as a feedback system, are sensing back muscle tension during the unexpected event. GTOs facilitate antagonistic muscle contraction and inhibit agonist contraction. The purpose of this mechanism, known as autogenic facilitation, is to prevent overuse and damage to muscles. The triggering of this autogenic facilitation mechanism is hypothesized to create the muscle-protection effect of the ACCUPRESSURE Back Support. More research is planned to establish the exact cause of this beneficial effect. In addition, the University of Iowa studies documented less fatigue in subjects wearing the ACCUPRESSURE back support.
Speaking for the University, Senior Scientist David G. Wilder, PhD, said "We are excited about the opportunity to finally understand some of the aspects of the way these devices (elastic back supports) work and how they can benefit the spine of the wearer." Other construction features include high density woven elastic cinch straps, spring steel orthopedic boning stays (number of stays increases as size of belt increases) and quick-release shoulder straps. The ACCUPRESSURE is available from authorized distributors of Decade(R) Products worldwide.
