How Posture Pump Works and Why You'll Benefit From Using It

“I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company. “

Lately, I’ve lived, breathed and died thinking about posture, corrective exercises to help improve alignment, and ways to improve the overall biomechanical function of our machine — the body. Yes, our bodies are biomechanical machines. The reason I’ve been so entrenched in reading and learning about the importance of proper alignment, the natural biomechanical movements that our bodies were designed to do all day long, and various corrective exercises that can help improve our posture and restore function, is because I enrolled in Katy Bowman’s Restorative Exercise Certification Program earlier this year. Katy Bowman is a biomechanist who has written countless books on the biomechanics of the body and the importance of returning to our natural movement patterns to help correct mechanical causes of disease. Katy teaches people to understand what happens biomechanically when we correct misalignment through simple “natural movement” exercises and learn to move better and move more during the day (like our bodies were designed to do). 
Katy’s 2-year Restorative Exercise Certification Program was something that I’ve wanted to do since studying and beginning to incorporate natural movement principles into how I moved throughout the day a few years ago. I quickly realized is how critical this type of “corrective” biomechanical work is for those of us who are hypermobile.  It’s also corrective – meaning, the muscles that support our hyperlax joints, CAN strengthen, and learn to realign our bones in proper biomechanical form; thus, stabilizing and protecting our joints. Most importantly, it’s easy. Like really easy, versus trying to tackle a new exercise regimen, or make it through an hour of PT several times a week when the body is deconditioned, in constant pain and incredibly fatigued. Of course, there may always be the need for PT or a more structured exercise program, especially if you cannot move as much as you need to during the day; however, we can all slowly learn to incorporate natural movement exercises into our daily routines.

“What if I told you that the solution to your chronic health or ‘age-related’ issue is more simple and less expensive than you ever could have imagined? Well, that is what I am telling you!”
-Katy Bowman

The importance of engaging in “nutritious movements” during the day, also helps us correct repetitive, misaligned movements that would otherwise continue over the course of our lifetime. These misaligned movements eventually lead to dysfunction, chronic pain, illness, loss of function, and ultimately, partial or complete disability. Specifically, people often have chronic pain and dysfunction associated with the neck, head, and cervical spine — often stemming from various misalignments all over the body. Similarly, those with a type of hypermobility syndrome, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, often have “bobble heads” — a casual term I often use when describing hypermobility of the head, neck and spine. Our “bobble heads” are caused by instability of the craniocervical junction — referred to as “Craniocervical Instability (CCI). CCI is also known as “Syndrome of Occipitoatlantialaxial Hypermobility,” and “is a structural instability of the craniocervical junction which may lead to a pathological deformation of the brainstem, upper spinal cord, and cerebellum. It primarily occurs in patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other hereditary disorders of connective tissue.” 
Other hyperlax joints in the upper body and spinal column, also contribute misalignment and instability of the head and neck, but spinal health care products, such as The Posture Pump, help “reinforce your neck and back’s NATURAL CURVED SHAPE and HYDRATE the discs & joints.” Posture Pump products work in a similar manner as some of the corrective exercises used when learning natural movement principals and when working to restore proper alignment and function. 

Posture Pro was established in 1994, in Huntington Beach, California. Product descriptions and additional company details are included below.

“With the undeniable connection between postural curve loss and early degenerative joint changes while analyzing spinal x-rays (static and fluoroscopic), MRI’s and CT scans of over 16,000 patients during their treatment. Common complaints were neck pain and stiffness, back pain and stiffness, headaches and nerve pain. Common radiographic findings were cervical kyphosis and other postural curve loss, osteophyte formation, disc compression, disc herniation, and aberrant spinal joint motion and alignment. Various methods available at the time failed to ameliorate postural curve loss and disc compression when viewed on post x-rays and MRI’s. It became apparent that commonly used traction devices did not expand the discs properly and further compromised the natural postural curves.”
“Necessity being the mother of invention, Expanding Ellipsoidal Decompression (EED®) via Posture Pump® was born. Under EED®, high level joint separation is achieved by expansion of elliptical air cells into the lordotic concavities (curves) of the neck and back. As EED® occurs; bulging disc material is drawn toward the nucleus pulposus and away from the spinal cord. This unique action aligns joints in a curved configuration while increasing disc height in a ratio corresponding to the disc’s natural wedged shape. As concluded in both 2008 and 2006 IRB Approved MRI Studies done by neurosurgeon and researcher, C. Norman Shealy, M.D., “Considering the cost, effectiveness and ease of therapy, Expanding Ellipsoidal Decompression (EED®) via Posture Pump® appears to be the first choice for treatment of cervicogenic pain and cervicogenic headache.””

A few Featured Posture Pump Products: 
Posture Pump® Dual Disc Hydrator® (Model 1400-D)

“Our most comfortable neck model (works neck and upper back). Upgraded from the Model 1100-S to decompress in two areas with even more comfortable corrective deep relief! Two uniquely angled EED® air cells* decompress and shape the neck and upper back (hump region) to relieve compressive forward upper body posture. New Comfort Visor™ gently molds to the shape of the forehead (no chin or jaw contact). Does not hyper-extend the neck. Operating at moderate pressure levels, the “Dual” provides extremely comfortable disc decompression & hydration while shaping and restoring the proper neck curve.”

Company Stated Benefits:

• Relieves Painful Neck and Upper Back Stiffness, Headaches and Fatigue
• Shapes & Restores the Proper Neck Curve
• Decompresses & Hydrates Compressed Discs
• Decreases Disc Bulging
• Reduces and Corrects Forward Head, Neck and Upper Back (Hump) Posture
• Applies Reversing Pressure to Upper Back Humps
• Improves Flexibility and Ranges of Motion
• Lightweight, Easy to Operate & Travel With
• Made in the USA & Built to Last

“The Posture Pump® Disc Hydrator® Elliptical Back Rocker™ Model 2000 fits under your back in four positions: lumbosacral, lumbar, thoracolumbar, and thoracic, to bring relief to specific problem areas. Exclusive patented dual air cell pouch allows for independent angled joint separation. The two angled air cells vector apart to lift and stretch the lower back in a unique way, decompressing and aligning your joints. As the dual air cells lift and expand your spine, nutrient-rich fluid lubricates the joints, and promotes disc expansion and disc hydration. The bottom of the lumbar unit is rounded to allow you to do an abdominal stretch/pelvic tilt, thus increasing the stretch of the lower back. If your back is sensitive or extremely stiff, first use the unit on your bed/mattress. As your flexibility increases, you may wish to graduate to a firm, flat surface. While most lumbar units have only one air cell, the Posture Pump® Disc Hydrator® Elliptical Back Rocker™ Model 2000 is a patented dual air cell device, allowing you to achieve a unique lengthening and stretch in your low back.”

Company Stated Benefits:

• Relieves back stiffness and discomfort
• Dual inflation mechanism gradually lifts, stretches and separates the joints
• 2 uniquely angled air cells create multi-vectored force and promote disc & joint lubrication
• Built-in Rocking Mechanism allows you to exercise your abdominal muscles while shaping & stretching the lower back

“Considering the cost, effectiveness and ease of therapy, Expanding Ellipsoidal Decompression (EED®) via Posture Pump® appears to be the first choice for treatment of cervicogenic pain and cervicogenic headache.”

– Neurosurgeon, C. Norman Shealy, M.D.

 
Where to find, follow and purchase Posture Pro Products: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PosturePump
Twitter: https://twitter.com/POSTUREPUMP
Posture Pump Website: http://www.posturepump.com
 
Additional Resources: 
http://drmixon.com/garland-chiropractor-recommends/