Back Stretcher S1 (Orange)

This stretcher arrived and looked a little like a medieval device! I have to say, the initial set-up was tricky: there are two pieces that you have to slot together at one end and then you bend the longer piece in order to slot it together at the other end. There are three different height options, with a different slot for each, and just getting the longer piece to bend into the first slot was tricky and I almost caught my finger!

However, once I fitted the pieces together, the stretcher stayed in position and didn’t collapse on me. The stretcher is fairly comfortable: it’s never going to be super comfy, but it’s certainly fine to use for five minutes or so at a time, which is the recommended length. I have been using it for a few days now and the ache in my middle back, caused from sitting and working at home without optimum seating, is starting – slowly! – to ease.

The stretcher seems well made and sturdy, so good value for money. It’s relatively small so easy to store away when not in use.

At 72 I don’t think I will be using this on the floor as my aging knees are not what they used to be for getting back up again off the floor. But I was keen to see how it might help with my back posture when used as a back support on my desk chair.

And I can definitely say that having fitted the supplied strap to fix the support in position now on my desk chair back it does sit well on the chair and stays in place. And it does ease tension in my back when sitting as the curvature and gentle pressure points of the board seem to force me (without any annoyance) to sit better during long spells at the keyboard. I LIKE IT!

My wife is using this as part of her Pilates routine which she does four mornings per week. She has disc problems in the lower back which, when at their worst, quite regularly sadly, drain her of energy (and colour!). A neighbour recommended we buy a “back stretcher” a month or so back and, yes, they are worth getting. The neighbour calls hers a “miracle cure”, well, my wife wouldn’t say that, but this little device does its job and brings welcome relief – at a very low price.

I have suffered for many years with Facet Joint Syndrome which results in pain and stiffness in the lower back and lumbar region, sometimes extending to the neck, hips and legs. The severity of the symptoms varies from week to week, sometimes mild and easily manageable and other times extremely painful and quite debilitating and as I’ve aged, I’ve noticed the bad days becoming more frequent than the good. Prescribed treatments have ranged from anti-inflammatory drugs to physiotherapy all of which has helped to manage the condition to varying degrees. Of course lifestyle has a big effect and spending long hours sitting does not help, stretching exercises bring some relief but are time consuming and too easy for me to find excuses to ‘do them later’ which generally means I don’t keep them up as regularly as I should.

Enter this Back Stretcher from LyfeFocus! It is very easy to use, I put it on whatever chair I’m sitting in and adjust the position so that I feel the pressure from it in the area of most discomfort, then simply get on with what I’m doing. You can feel it gently stretching the back and opening the facet joints, pushing the hips forward and causing the upper back and shoulders and neck to move backwards. I have found it an enormous relief and if properly positioned and adjusted very comfortable to use for long periods. When I eventually finish working at my PC desk I move it to my favourite TV chair.

I have not yet used it on the floor as part of my prescribed exercise schedule (because I keep putting that off!) but I’m sure it will help with that too. Just using this regularly I genuinely feel there has been improvement in my condition, it has certainly brought relief from the pain and stiffness and I think my deportment and stature has improved too.

You need to build up your time on the board.

Start with the easiest level.

Painful at first but you’ll feel better quickly.

Can help a bad back.

This back stretcher is easy to put together if you follow the instructions and pictures provided. It does take a bit of effort when inserting the curved part but shouldn’t be beyond most people.

It has three positions you can set it to and the lowest is the recommended setting to start with. I find this just right for my back and after 5 minutes it does feel better. I’m sure with frequent use it will improve my back.

I love lying on this. Gets a crack out my back every time. Then I just lie there for a couple of minutes, in heaven. Not sure if it’s having a lasting effect but it certainly feels nice at the time.

Super cheap. I’m happy with it.

This product works great! When it first arrived and I opened it i set it up with the help of instructions nothing major and then i laid back for 3-5 min on the floor i felt the difference instantly and my pain started to resolve. I also used it for the first time in my vehicle while driving helps the pain as I’m making it to my destination and as I’m sitting at work all day as the device is shown pictured.