Product Review: Air Balance Cushion
Author: Vanessa
What is an air balance cushion?
A piece of equipment you can purchase at Preston Physiotherapy which can aid in your physiotherapy rehabilitation. They are circular in nature, made of a soft and pliable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and can be used in sitting, standing and lying positions.
What are the benefits of using an air balance cushion?
Improving your Balance and Coordination: the unstable surface of the cushion forces your body to engage your core and stabilizing muscles so you can maintain and train your static and dynamic balance. This muscle activation also helps to improve your proprioception (your ability to understand and become aware of your body’s position and movement in space).
Assisting with correct posture: Sitting on the cushion encourages what physiotherapists call ‘active sitting’ and proper spinal alignment. This can help reduce any potential strain through the neck or lower back that could occur with poor sustained sitting and therefore assist in reducing the risk of pain and injury.
Having one side that is smooth and the other side that is spiky. This is to provide versatile sensory and balance feedback. The smooth side equips you with a mild sensory input and therefore better stability when using it to challenge sitting balance or posture. The spiky side delivers you with an increased tactile stimulation and acupressure. It is therefore a less stable base which can be used to improve your standing balance and core strength.
An air balance cushion is suitable for people of all ages. It can help office workers by promoting active sitting and reducing the effects of sedentary sitting behaviour to older adults by improving mobility and balance and therefore allowing them to continue to maintain their independence.
Speak to one of our reception staff or physiotherapists in clinic if this sounds like it could assist you!