Dear Esther, It's wonderful to begin working on good body mechanics! As you recommended at the 1st class 8/7, I am attaching a picture of my recliner. Currently I put a cold pack (12" long by 5" wide by 1" deep) to support the J curve while I sit or lie in the recliner. Stretchsitting (and now stacksitting) are great but with the ischial tuberosity pain I am having, it's good sometimes to take the weight off by reclining. How else can I 'fix' my recliner? Thank you. BarbaraDear Esther,
It's wonderful to begin working on good body mechanics! As you recommended at the 1st class 8/7, I am attaching a picture of my recliner. Currently I put a cold pack (12" long by 5" wide by 1" deep) to support the J curve while I sit or lie in the recliner. Stretchsitting (and now stacksitting) are great but with the ischial tuberosity pain I am having, it's good sometimes to take the weight off by reclining. How else can I 'fix' my recliner?
Thank you.
Barbara
1 hour 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
1 year 11 months ago
06/17/2011 - 12:32pm
Dear Esther,
Please explain about how you can modify a recliner. I have a recliner also, and would love to be able to sit in it comfortably. I find that when in reclining position I am no longer antiverted but rather tucked. After 20 minutes my upper back starts to get sore.
I have tried stuffing towels/pillows in the base to make it flat, but that doesn't address the backwards slant of the back of the chair--even when it's in the upright position.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
3 years 9 months ago
12/15/2010 - 7:51am
Hi there,
If your recliner is always slightly (or totally) reclined, then I would suggest Stretchsitting. Absolutely build up the back of the seat with towels/sheets so that it is more even, especially when more upright. Attach a Stretchsit cushion or towel at midback and proceed to follow the Stretchsitting steps as explained in "8 Steps to a Pain Free Back" or from a course if you have already taken our Gokhale Method Foundations classes.
Since the recliner is always slightly reclined, let your head rest in gentle traction as well.
If you always feel as though you tucked, and you are fully reclined, you may need to think that you are following the steps for Stretchlying instead. Hold onto the rim of your pelvis and keep it in an anteverted position while you lower one vertebrae at a time.
If you feel tucked only in a more upright position, and you have already built up the back of the seat with towels, you may need to put a thicker towes/cusion under your Stretchsit cushion, so you have room for your bottom to go back and the pelvis can antevert easily.
Let me know if you need any additional assistance.
Good luck!
Best,
Charlene Hannibal
Gokhale Method Instructor, Palo Alto/San Francisco