Bodystance Backpod - Osteoporosis and Osteopenia; Scheuermann’s Osteochondritis

Don’t use the Backpod
®
for children. Their bones
are still growing and their joints are usually fully
flexible anyway. However, the Backpod
®
programme
of muscle strengthening, posture education and
home massage can be extremely helpful. It is also
available as videos on our website
www.backpod.co.nz.
Osteoporosis and osteopenia
These are conditions of reduced bone density,
making the bones more at risk of a fracture. The
Backpod
®
should be used with increased caution,
but mild degrees of these conditions are not a
total contra-indication. The Backpod
®
provides
only a passive stretch of the spine, and can be
gently graded by using pillows under the head and
padding over the Backpod
®
itself. If unsure, check
with your doctor first.
Scheuermann’s Osteochondritis
The Backpod
®
may irritate this condition when it
is in the inflammatory phase. However, it is highly
appropriate for treatment of the common tight
flexed middle and upper back that remains once
the inflammation has settled. If unsure, check with
your doctor first.
Straight or concave middle and upper backs
This is the one fairly common case where the
standard use of the Backpod
®
won’t help. About
5% of middle backs are straight or even slightly
hollowed. This is usually because of a fall on the
back or other impact, or an excessively rigid upright
posture.
The Backpod
®
used in the usual way will push
these spines further in the wrong direction, causing
compressive loading on the joints at the back of the
bony vertebrae, which can then jam.
If you think you might have this sort of back, just
get someone to look at your spine between the
shoulder-blades. If it’s straight or hollowed, and
the Backpod
®
is not helping, see your health
professional. There is an effective use of the
Backpod
®
for this type of spine outlined on page
17 of the Health Practitioner pages: “Backpod
®
for
straight or concave thoracic spines”. The Backpod
®
programme will help in any case – especially the
massage (see pages 13 & 14: “Massage – two
simple techniques”).
8
Warnings and precautions