Back Realignment Device – Thoracic and Lumbar Relief Back Stretcher – Spinal Alignment – Back Stretching Device – Chiropractic Alignment – Back Stretching Device – Back Support Product, Blue, 1 Count

DISCLAIMER: I want to preface this by saying I have Hypermobility Syndrome, which means my joints (and unfortunately back) are far more flexible than they are supposed to be. I searched for reviews mentioning hypermobility and couldn't find any, so I'm hoping my review might help someone in a similar situation as I am. ***This product says it is not supposed to be used with scoliosis, so don't take this review as a license to do so--talk to a doctor you trust first.*** But if you have a similar situation to mine, it might be worth a try. If you DON'T have a super-flexible spine, what I did will probably hurt you. If you have had scoliosis since you were young, your back is probably set as it is and it will need much more careful treatment. Please don't hurt yourself because of something I said.My stats:Height: 5'5"Weight: 150 lbsMy Experience:People think being super flexible is awesome, but it's not. It totally sucks (I would love to use stronger language here). About six weeks ago, my back decided to spasm and seize up and go crazy on me, leaving me mostly unable to walk, lie down, sit, get out of a chair, etc. on my own. I was in absolute torment, pain levels that made me almost black out. This device did NOT cure that--I went to the doctor and had to get steroids and muscle relaxants before I was well enough to go to physical therapy. If you have these problems, you really need to go to a doctor.After my back calmed down, my spine was curved into a lovely scoliosis side curve in my lower back, as well as a bit of a twist (according to my physical therapist). I have no idea if it occurred before or after the spasms, but I didn't have scoliosis when I was checked as an adolescent, so it's adult-onset. I also don't know the severity of the curve because I have not yet had x-rays.After the steroids reduced my nerve inflammation, the pain was mostly under control, but I still felt horribly uncomfortable and out of alignment. I couldn't stand up straight, and I just felt kinked. My back would get so tense and tight and knotted, I would spend fifteen minutes jamming a corner of the wall into my back as hard as I could to try to work into the kinks and ease the tension. I purchased the spineworx gizmo as a replacement for jamming wall corners into my spine.I was really nervous about using the spineworx because so many people said it was challenging to use and easy to hurt yourself. When the spineworx arrived, I took it very easy. First, I held the it up to my back while I was standing to get an idea of roughly where it best fit my back. I took mental note of where my butt was in relation to the bottom of the plastic device, and then sat down on the floor, still holding the device against my back. I set the spineworx on the floor behind me, trying to keep it so that when I lay down, my back would already be close to where it should be on the device. Heeding others' advice, I *very, very slowly* lowered myself down onto the spineworx, adjusting myself as I went such that the groove corresponded to where my upper, still-aligned, spine was. The curved part of my spine didn't fit the groove super well, but it also didn't hurt when I lay down. The curve is just above my butt, so there's probably more fat there to cushion it or something.For as paranoid as I was, the whole process was very easy and painless for me. I found it very easy to align and relax. Just lying there for a while, maybe fifteen minutes, my back felt much less tense. It felt like getting deep fingers right into those knots I couldn't reach before, and the muscles relaxed for the first time in weeks. I didn't have any discomfort and I didn't have to cut the time short. The tenseness did eventually come back, but maybe only after a 2-3 hours. The relief did last for a little while for me, which is saying something because my spine likes to move around. Now, any time I feel tweaked, I lie down on this for about 20 minutes and my back feels much better. I use it 2-3 times a day, in addition to physical therapy, in ongoing treatment of my hypermobile spine.Now for the gross hypermobility stuff.It's worth noting, my spine is so pliant that I can literally use my knuckles to press hard on one side and move it. Unfortunately, my spine is also very, very unstable, and it moves around throughout the day (this is why I'm in physical therapy). Sometimes the curve gets really bad, sometimes it's better. It's never gone altogether.Yesterday, my back felt very uncomfortable, and I reached back to rub it where it felt tense and unhappy. My spine had curved into such a disgustingly bad curve! It was so wrong, like watching your own finger break. I could feel a *very* clear curve right at my lower back. Fortunately, I was at home, so I immediately went to my spineworx and lay down. I lifted my butt and aligned the left ridge of the groove such that it pressed against the outside of the C curve on my spine. Using my weight, I gently but firmly pressed against the curve, pushing it back toward the middle of my back, where it is supposed to be. My spine slowly slid back into place and I felt SO much better. It's a gross feeling to feel your vertebrae move, but it didn't hurt. I did feel some pinch in my ribs as they pulled around, but it wasn't that bad. And afterward, I felt almost back to normal.I have had my spineworx for about two weeks now, and I use it multiple times every day. It helps me manage my hypermobile spine, and I am grateful enough that I felt I needed to write a review. This obviously isn't for everyone, but if it can help you, it might *really* help you. Also, I do still have some curvature to my spine, even using this, and physical therapy will be necessary to rehabilitate it all the way and to prevent relapse.

I was skeptical when I first stumbled across the product while looking for things to help mitigate back pain and helping lessen the severity of migraines. But, I figured for the price and the good reviews it received: why not give it a try? I'm happy to report that I've been pleasantly surprised by it.Some observations and tips:- Try using it right when you get out of the shower and dry off. The heat from the water helps loosen up the muscles and will help you obtain more benefit for the time spent.- You must line up your spine directly over the foam guides. It takes some wiggling and adjusting to make sure it's centered. I start by sitting on the ground and putting the bottom of the device against my tailbone- and slowly laying down using my tailbone/lower spine as a guide. Once I'm laying on top of it: I shift and wiggle around gently to make sure the whole device is perfectly along my spine.- I place a pillow on the upper end for my head. It helps support the neck and make prolonged use of the device more comfortable.- Start with your arms on your side. After a minute or so: slowly move your arms out, like you're making a "snow angel" pattern. After a few minutes of that, place your arms across your chest. This increases the weight put on your spine and the device- helping align even the most stubborn vertebrae. DISCLAIMER: If you suffer from severe pack pain or have any medical condition or injury; be careful on how much weight you place downward on your spine. Moderation is key; and what works for me won't work for everyone.- The first few times you use it will be slightly to moderately uncomfortable. I found the more I used it the less uncomfortable it became. If you feel extreme pain: I wouldn't continue using it and consult your Physician or Chiropractor.After a few weeks I began to notice a difference in the muscle pain and spinal alignment. My back became easier to crack on my own by doing some simple impact stretching.Final opinion: Check with your Physician before trying anything like this. However, it has really worked for me. And with the price being very reasonable, it makes sense to give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was!