There are countless models of cushions, but not all are the same. There are those that simply decorate and serve to lean on them at a specific moment, but there are also cushions designed with a specific objective, such as maintaining a correct body posture or preventing the appearance of wounds or pressure ulcers, in the case of people who spend a lot of time sitting or have mobility problems that involve the use of a wheelchair.
Specific cushions to relieve specific discomforts
A cushion can be your best ally when it comes to contributing to comfort and well-being. Its shape, size and material of manufacture are the details that will determine aspects as basic as their level of firmness and adaptability. Some older people may need cushions with special characteristics that, in addition to providing comfort, help them to prevent or alleviate different pathologies.
The anti-decubitus cushions they are very useful if it exists risk of pressure ulcers, which can be suffered by people who sit for long periods of time due to reduced mobility. You can find them in different materials: with viscoelastic, gel filling or even made with individual cells that are inflated with air at different pressures.
The goal of all of them is to be ergonomic and achieve a correct weight distribution over the entire surface of the cushion, thus preventing a certain area from supporting a higher load and friction, which could cause small injuries. They are recommended for people in a wheelchair or temporarily convalescing. They are also a good option if there is discomfort in the coccyx area or if you have suffered a fall. Some models have a free central area, like a float, which can come in handy if you suffer from hemorrhoids.
If you need a therapeutic cushion, the ideal is seek advice from a specialized orthopedic Before recommending a specific product, take into account your characteristics (weight, level of mobility, presence of pain in specific areas …) and specific needs. The Norton scale, which as explained by the Foundation for the Development of Nursing (@fuden_es) measures the risk of pressure ulcers in each body area, it is an important piece of information that can guide you on the type of cushion suitable for you.
Within the therapeutic cushions, the lumbar cushions, which offer a reinforcement for the lower back area, «gathering» the hips and lumbar vertebrae while helping to maintain the correct posture in the most comfortable way. Finally, the bolster cushionsIdeal for relieving frequent neck discomfort, they can be of great help if you suffer from them frequently.
