One of the newest designs in chairs is the Zero Gravity Chair, also known as a stress release chair. We can thank the doctors and NASA scientists for inventing technology that reduces or eliminates the pressure on the spine.
Four out of every five people in North America have back pain, according to recent statistics.
One way to alleviate the pain is by minimizing the force on your vertebrae. The lower the compression on your disks, the easier it is on your back. Standing can load about 100 pounds of compression on to the lower back. Sitting in a regular chair can load even more compression — about 150 pounds.
Initially created for astronauts, the purpose of the Zero Gravity Chair was to alleviate the significant stress on their spines during takeoff. It’s designed so that body weight is evenly distributed, thereby not over-compressing spinal disks.
Stress release chairs elevate your legs over the level of your heart. This is beneficial because it is believed to increase your circulation, resulting in less stress on the heart.
People with swelling in the legs due to edema or painful varicose veins have commented on pain relief by elevating their legs regularly. According to doctors, leg elevation can also help in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis — a common and dangerous blood clot that can travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism.
Zero Gravity Chairs for indoor use are becoming more popular as the baby boomer generation ages. One of the most significant growing segments of their business is in motion products, says Eric Notar, the VP of global sales for Palliser, a Canadian furniture maker whose products are built and distributed in Mexico.
“We are not surprised that there is ever-growing demand for these types of products. The Z line of Palliser’s Zero Gravity Chairs is one of our most popular lines with customers who experience any back pain,” Notar said. “Once they sit in the chair and feel the relief on their backs, they are sold. Zero Gravity Chairs are a game changer.”
Most stress-release chairs have moveable parts that are adjusted with levers and then programmed by memory to stay set at a specific position. This ensures the chair is perfectly aligned to the body of the user. In standard models, the chair generally has two positions — opened and closed. Although they cost a bit more, the best type of chair offers numerous positions so that you can customize the degree of incline to your needs.
Zero Gravity Chairs are not only ergonomic, but they are also fashionable. They are available in leather, fabric or performance fabric covers. We recommend the performance fabric to our clients in Yucatán. This revolutionary fabric that does not stain will ensure great value and long life from your chair, especially in our humid climate.
Sheryl Novak is an expat from Canada who has owned a home in Mexico for over 10 years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico, an online furniture store and an expert on sourcing all styles of furniture, for all budgets, in Mexico. Buying a home in Mexico? Email furniture@solutionsmexico.com to get a free home inventory list.
