Here at the Healthy Back Institute we have tested hundreds of back pain relief products over the years… all sorts of pills, potions and devices.
Most are junk, but a small number of products really surprise us and earn our highest recommendation. So what do we think about the Back Joy?
What is the Back Joy?
The company that created it calls it a “back orthotic” but really it’s a type of seat cushion that when you sit on it, it instantly improves your posture and takes pressure of the spine.
Unlike other devices that you stick behind your back and only give you temporary support, the Back Joy changes the way you sit. It actually forces you to sit up straight which will actually strengthen your core muscles and that’s why they call it the Back Joy “Core”. So not only can it help improve your posture, but the improved strength you’ll have in your core will help prevent future flare-ups.
Here’s our current favorite back support:
The Freedom Back
While we like the Back Joy and have recommended it for years, we have found the Freedom back to be a better solution for maintaining healthy posture and reducing back pain.
So How Does Back Joy Work?
1. Back Joy “Tilts” To Correct Your Sitting Posture.
Back Joy gently tilts your pelvis forward to induce a neutral position for your spine. Aligning the sacral region corrects the dysfunctional mechanics caused by sitting. The strain and pressure of supporting your body weight is moved away from the spine’s muscles and ligaments and placed on proper weight bearing bones (the Ischial Tuberosities). Less strain and pressure means less aggravation and pain.
2. Back Joy “cups” Your Muscles To Stop Painful Strains From Sitting.
Your body weight flattens your gluteus muscles. Even with corrected posture, your gluteus muscles will flatten under your body weight. Since the ligaments that connect your gluteus muscles to your back muscles require equal tension on both sides, your back muscles must tighten to equalize the tension. This tightening creates new pain causing stresses in your back.
Only Back Joy’s patented Orthotic Cradling System can cup the gluteus muscles and stop them from flattening, effectively stopping the automatic tightening of your back’s muscles when you sit. This avoids pain and strain, and keeps more stress off your back’s muscles, joints, and ligaments.
3. Back Joy “Cradles” Your Pelvis And Floats Your Spinal System.
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The lower pelvis spreads apart, and the upper pelvis pinches together, putting increased pressure on the the lumbar-sacral joint and ligaments. Like a pain relieving shock absorber, BackJoy lifts your pelvis up off the sitting surface so you sit as much as 3 inches taller. Your pelvis will float in a natural and protective cradle of muscle tissue. BackJoy restricts the spreading of the lower pelvis reducing pressure on the lumbar-sacral spine. The six components of the pelvis can work fluidly as one unit, minimizing the wear and tear on the sacral joints. No matter how good your posture, if you are not sitting on a BackJoy, you will still have the flattening that will still cause your back to hurt. Only BackJoy can naturally cradle your pelvis, and create the kind of instant and easy to get comfort that will let you sit without pain, for hours. You don’t have to sit like a statue for it to work
Here’s our current favorite back support:The Freedom Back
While we like the Back Joy and have recommended it for years, we have found the Freedom back to be a better solution for maintaining healthy posture and reducing back pain.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Back Joy?Back Joy is revolutionary, easy to use, and completely portable sitting device that prevents back pain from occurring when you sit, so you can finally sit comfortably, anywhere. What if my back hurts when I try sitting on Back Joy ? Sometimes changing your sitting posture can cause temporary discomfort. Should you feel increased tightness when first using Back Joy limit usage to15 minutes, then 30, and upward over a few days or weeks. With gradually increased usage will come strength and lasting relief. If there is any increased pain, stop using Back Joy. If Back Joy does not help relieve your back pain, consult a Medical Professional. How do I use Back Joy Relief?It’s as easy as 1-2-3. There are no straps or buckles. 1. Place it on your seat so the logo will be under your left thigh. Do not put it behind your back!
2. Sit on it and pull it forward until it’s snug against your buttocks muscles. Adjust until you feel the cupping action!
3. Skootch. Lean a little forward, push with your feet to “skootch” the Back Joy with your buttocks towards the rear of the seat until you find your most comfortable position. Sit back and relax in comfort!
When should I feel results?Many users experience immediate relief, and some require several weeks of regular use to feel the benefits of Back Joy Relief. Your results will depend upon your underlying conditions and how often you use Back Joy. To get the quickest results and greatest benefits, use Back Joy according to directions as often as possible, everywhere you sit. What if I don’t feel anything when I sit on Back Joy?If you don’t feel any change when you sit on Back Joy, make sure you have closely followed the sitting instructions and your buttocks muscles are firmly cupped. The best way to feel the Back Joy difference is this: Sit on Back Joy for a period of time, then remove it from under you. Feel your gluteus muscles flattened under your body weight. Now put it back. Feel your pelvis floating in a cradle of muscle tissue. Why is Back Joy Relief Different?Back Joy Relief Orthotic Cradling System™ makes it the only device that prevents the pain causing tightening of back muscles that is triggered when the gluteus muscles flatten under the user’s weight when sitting. This patented Orthotic Cradling System™ allows Back Joy to relieve more pressure and strain than any other device or chair available. Back Joy does not rely on gimmicks like heat, massage, or overly soft foam to trick you into thinking it is doing something for you. It is when you don’t feel much of anything that you are doing the most to prevent back pain from occurring, or developing a back injury from sitting. This means you should not feel much at all, just comfort. Will Back Joy Relief work for my condition?Back Joy Relief provides relief by reducing the pressures that can aggravate the underlying causes of a wide variety of acute and chronic back pain such as low back pain, herniated and degenerated discs, back injuries, sciatica, and many more. As with any medical question, consult a medical professional to see if Back Joy will help your specific, underlying issue.
Why is it so small?
Will it prevent back pain from occurring?Sitting for long periods of time can cause repetitive stress injuries, which may lead to a variety of back problems. Back Joy Relief can be used as a preventative maintenance device to help you avoid a repetitive stress injury caused by long term sitting, or to prevent old back pain from recurring. How do I clean it?Back Joy’s fabric has been treated with a stain guard solution. Wash with mild soap and water or standard upholstery cleaner. You can treat your Back Joy as if it were a piece of furniture at home with fabric that has been protected against stains. Where can I use Back Joy Relief?Turn any seat into an orthotic pain reliever! Using Back Joy Relief on any of the below sitting surfaces will improve your posture and allow your spinal system to float in a comfortable cradle of natural cushioning. Only Back Joy can prevent the strain caused by muscular flattening that will occur in all of these sitting situations. Can I travel with Back Joy Relief?Back joy is Easy To Travel With! You can’t damage Back Joy. Roll it up or bend it anyway you need to fit it in a briefcase or carry on. Your body heat will return it to shape. Slip Back Joy in your carry on any way you want. Bend it around your Lap Top for extra protection.
Do I have to sit a certain way for it to work?Your back is unique. With Back Joy Relief, you can sit the way you want to sit. Peer reviewed orthopedic back journals suggest the best way for any individual to sit is in the position they are most comfortable. That’s why Back Joy is designed to work like a personalized orthotic for your unique back. It will adapt itself to accommodate a “slouched” posterior pelvic tilt, a sitting straight-up anterior tilt, and everything in between. No matter what position you like to sit in, Back Joy Relief Orthotic Cradling System will remain active.
What will my doctor say about Back Joy Relief?Back Joy Relief can work hand-in-hand with your therapeutic regime. Bring this brochure and your Back Joy on your next visit to learn how. Ask your doctor to recommend a sitting posture for you that will transfer the most pressure and strain off your specific underlying condition. Back Joy will not work for you if you have been confined to a wheel chair, have any form of muscular atrophy, or if you have trouble standing or walking for any length of time. Before using this or any other product, consult a physician to make sure the origin of your back pain is not due to a condition that requires medical attention. Does it work on soft couches?Yes, Back Joy Relief Orthotic Cradling System will float your spinal system over a soft sitting surface just like it will over a hard chair. Though it may not feel like Back Joy is doing as much work, don’t be fooled. When you sit down into the cushions of a soft couch, your gluteus muscles can stretch and flatten more than they would in a hard chair. Only Back Joy can prevent this from happening on soft couches or in your favorite chair.
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Back Joy Relief must be smaller than your buttocks. It is designed to cradle the
Back Joy Relief is designed to fit the medically and scientifically accepted average distance between the sitting bones (the ischial tuberosities) that rest at the base of the pelvis. Unlike arm and leg bones, the pelvis has a very small range of widths, depths and heights from person to person no matter what gender, age, race, or height that person might be. The buttocks, of course, are made up of soft tissues, which are very different from person to person. Back Joy works by cupping the around the pelvis area, it is able to deliver an effective method of back pain relief for people as little as 120 pounds or as much as 300 lbs.
Written By: Updated: September 11,2013