backrest

[Sh0rty]

For your wheelchair, what back do you use? The one that comes standard with the chair- what would that be called, a cloth back? Or do you use a specialty back?

I use a specialty one (infinity low back) and I hate it. I have never used the standard one. I was told that it is not good for posture. But I think a lot of my back pain is associated with the type of backrest I am using.

Anyone ever try both options and prefer one over the other??? cus I am tempted to switch to the other one.

[Shaun]

Ive never tried a custom back..ive always just ordered the adjustable tension backs that come with the chair..

[LooseCannon]

I've used both: tension back and hard back. Pros and cons with each. I MUCH prefer the J2 hard back.

Tension backs always dug into my ribs and were high maintenance, always having to adjust the straps. A tension back is lighter.

J2 back is simply awesome! It provides more support and is way more comfortable. Con is it's weight.

[Broknwing]

I've used both the standard soft back and the ROHO Jetstream Pro back....I liked the soft back as I stretch backwards over it....However I LOVE the ROHO one....The Roho back gives me more support and helps me sit more properly...I've always had very poor posture, even before my SCI so any help that I can get with that is a good thing....


ETA:The Jetstream back is SOOOOOOO incredibly light....I've got the low back and it only weighs about 1 lb.(not really any more than the soft fabric back that came with my chair)

[wheeliecoach]

I use the Concepts in Motion Matrix back. For me it is much better than the sling back. I got it before Roho came out with their new back...but I love the fact that this one gives me some lateral support (it curves a little on the sides like a bucket seat in a car would), as well as support my back. With me developing kyphosis (sp), my back does not do well with normal sling backs anymore.

Brokenwing - my roommate was happy to hear that you liked the roho back. She was supposed to get the same back as mine but the company that built her chair put the bar on the back (called the towel bar I believe) too close so that they could not mount the back properly, so she had to go with the roho back. It is nice to hear that someone is actually using and liking the back.

[joshstevens7]

i just use a tension adjustable back because i lean back to put my pants on and stretch.

i had the roho jetstream low back, and it was awesome but i couldnt lean back with it because it has the hard back which dug into my back when i leaned back.

if u dont ever lean back, i would try the roho jetstream one.

[Broknwing]

Josh, to counter-act the hard surface and leaning back, I've moved the cushion on the low-back up a little bit....So the cushion is actually a little higher than the form of the back. Since it's velcro-ed on it's not hard to do. It's not as comfy as leaning back over a fabric back, but it does help with the hard surface when leaning back over it.....

WheelieCoach-I'm glad I could give some input for your roommate. If she's got any questions about it, fel free to ask, I'll answer as best that I can...

[BH1985]

how hard is hard? Right now I have a back that is velcrow on the back. It is so uncomfortable after sitting still for 10 minutes.

Are you talking hard, like as in wood hard?

[Jadis]

Sh0rty, I use an adjustable tension back on my chair. It's 13" high w/2" cushion so it hits just above my waist. I have it set that way to force me to use my abs for balance and to allow me to lean back and have a larger area of reach. Also, the top of the back hits right between my two lowest levels of injury (T11-12 & L4-S1). I can't stand to have anything touching those spots due to pain. (why can't they be numb like T4-6??)

I realize that you are a higher level injury than I am, so I don't think my back set up would work. If I was a higher level injury and needed a higher level back my choice may be different. I don't know that this back would be as comfortable as Chelle's back.

[Broknwing]

nooooo, it's not that hard...it's got about 3" of padding.....the back shell is made put of carbon fiber.....I just meant that when you lean back over it, there's the top edge that's hard....I lean back & stretch over my backrest....i used to do so more often with the soft back....my fix has made it easier to do with this one, but it's still got the carbon fiber shell....