6 Wearable Tech Devices That Can Combat Back Pain
Bad habits such as slumping at your desk, hunching over and being sedentary can result in minor back pain. Although doctors and chiropractors advise standing up straight, sitting correctly and getting adequate exercise, it's easy to slip into bad habits and strain your back. Fortunately, there is wearable technology that can help you avoid the positions and practices that can lead to back strain and pain. Here are six wearable tech devices to help prevent and relieve posture-related back pain.
1. LumoLift
LumoLift is a small, magnetic sensor that attaches to your shirt. It counteracts the harmful effects of slouching and slumping, placing undue stress on your back, weakening your core and creating back pain. The sensor measures the angle at which you hold your upper body and vibrates when you hunch over or slouch. Once you calibrate it for perfect posture, it helps you maintain good posture throughout the day and tracks how many hours you spend sitting correctly. The gadget also has a customizable app that helps you set goals for developing muscle memory and also tracks steps, and calories burned for better health and fitness.
2. Valedo
Valedo is a set of motion sensors that adhere to the chest and pelvis. They connect to software in which your movements control an on-screen character. The scenery in the program challenges you to walk, fly and swim, performing exercises that relieve pain and make your back stronger. A group of doctors and physical therapists developed the movements to create a fresh and exciting way to do back-pain-relieving exercises. Traditional back pain exercises create boredom and repetition, which is the main reason why most people ditch them. The software corrects you gently and guides you through proper form and execution.
3. UpRight
Upright is a wearable slouch tracker. The gadget is a piece of plastic you can attach on your the lower back to measure activity in the lumbar region. UpRight sticks directly on the skin over the spine and its two sensors transmit data to an Android or iOS app. The gadget emits gentle vibrations when it detects that you are slouching or not standing correctly, encouraging you to re-position your back, thus preventing strain or injury. In addition to the posture prompts, it helps you breathe deeply to improve your overall health.
4. SmartBackBrace
SmartBackBrace is a harness-like device that holds a sensor between your shoulder blades. It's ideal for people who tend to round their shoulders while standing upright. The sensor vibrates when your shoulders roll forward, encouraging you to keep them pulled back and in the correct position, eliminating stress on your spine and neck.
5. Prana
Prana is more than a slouch detector. It's a sensor worn at the waist that also tracks your breathing. It discourages slouching by prompting you to sit up, lengthen your spine, expand your diaphragm and breathe deeply. When it detects that you have been sitting too long, it reminds you to do breathing exercises to stimulate blood flow to your back. Rather than simply reacting to your breathing patterns, it provides breath-controlled games to help you develop healthy breathing habits. When you stand, it becomes a traditional step tracker that helps improve your overall fitness.
6. Arki
The Arki wristband contains sensors that learn how you move. Arki knows when you slouch, bend, sit, stand, walk, run and look down at your phone. It vibrates to remind you to stand up straight and even to take your hands out of your pockets while you walk. By helping you walk with perfect posture and alignment, it can help you avoid the habits that lead to back pain.
Although minor back pain from poor posture or lack of exercise is not serious and usually goes away in time, it can be very uncomfortable. Most people do not know the importance of correct posture and exercise, which develop bad habits that strain their backs. These six wearable tech devices can help you correct these bad habits and avoid or even relieve annoying back pain. Severe back pain can indicate more serious problems than poor posture or a lack of exercise, so see your doctor if your pain persists or gets worse.
