Maintaining Healthy Habits: Wobble Cushions

By James Deady

You may have noticed that strange blue discs, called wobble cushions, have been appearing around our Clifton Clinic’s waiting area. You would be forgiven for thinking that these may be frisbees or flying saucers when you first see them. I know I did! 

Instead, they are in fact a part of our latest attempt to introduce healthier habits into your everyday life!

Why Can Sitting on Wobble Cushions Be Important?

Despite living in such a fast-paced world, I tend to find that many of us are sitting for long hours during the day. This is something happening with more and more people. You can often find me at one of our desks in the clinic organising paperwork. After a long work day, a lot of people will travel home in a car or train. Then I know I’m guilty of enjoying an evening at home nestled up on my sofa. 

Modern research, however, has suggested that prolonged periods of sitting can lead to a multitude of health issues. There are too many to name in full, but to list a few issues that long periods of sitting can cause include:

•         Cardiovascular Diseases
•         Certain Types of Cancer
•         Lower Back Pain
•         Neck Pain
•         Headaches
•         And Much More…

I have also begun to hear that prolonged sitting is now described as the “new smoking”. Research suggests that the more we sit, the more it may shorten our lives.

One of the best ways that you and I can avoid this, is by bringing more movement into our lives! By increasing the amount that you are moving in our daily lives, we can also increase the flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). This liquid is what protects, bathes, and nourishes both our brain and spinal cord.

By ensuring that we all move enough, we will eventually ease our joints and loosen them all up. Additionally, it can help to pump nutrients into the cushion-like discs in our spines. Effectively “fluffing them up”, like you would do with a regular cushion when the filling becomes flat. 

This is where I believe that a wobble cushion can be of help!

What Does a Wobble Cushion Do?

Wobble cushions are designed to improve a variety of aspects of your physical and mental health by wobbling. I have found that many people who use wobble cushions can alleviate a lot of their physical discomfort that has stemmed from extended periods of sitting. Additionally, wobble cushions are ideal for promoting better posture, further improving your spinal health.

The key reasons to consider including a wobble cushion in your life include (but are definitely not limited to) improved posture, increased lumbar support, and because they act as a versatile aid for improving your balance, core strength, and more.

At Willow Chiropractic, we want to ensure that your care involves an all-around, holistic solution to resolving your pain. Our support does not end with our chiropractic adjustments. We strive to provide you with the tools and skills necessary for improving your overall health, not just treating individual symptoms.

Wobble to Improved Posture

The slightly unstable nature of the cushion’s surface helps to promote an active and mindful sitting position. It prompts your body to constantly make small adjustments to your posture to maintain your balance.

This continuous micro-movement not only helps to strengthen your core muscles, but it can also help to relieve stress and strain on your lower back. This can, in turn, reduce your risks of developing or worsening back pain.

From my professional experience, an improved posture will have the knock-on benefits of providing spinal, lumbar, and pelvic support.

Increased Lumbar Support

Unfortunately, we tend to find that the lower part of your spine often bears the brunt of any poor or unhealthy sitting habits. I know I’ve been guilty of this in the past. To prevent this, I have found that wobble cushions can be a fantastic aid in preventing these habits. 

The cushion helps to rock your hips forward and downwards, allowing you to sit in a more ergonomic position. This is because your knees will be sitting lower than your hips. By sitting correctly, you help to keep your spine aligned and can help to promote your spine’s natural curve.

The wobble cushion is designed to help to properly align your spine and reduce the pressure on your intervertebral discs. Thus, supporting your surrounding muscles and relieving tension within them. I have often found that this can then result in decreased lower back pain and overall increased comfort.

Wobble Cushions Can Act as a Versatile Aid

Wobble cushions can be easily incorporated into a variety of different settings, whether you’re looking to improve your lower back pain at work, at home, or even whilst travelling. These situations can include:

•         Your Office Chairs.
•         Your Dining Room Chairs.
•         During Yoga.
•         During Other Floor-Based Exercises
•         And more!

Many people have found a wide variety of additional uses for wobble cushions. Some have experienced improved concentration and mental health, not only from relieved pain or tension but also from the stimulus of the micro-movements. Whilst others have found that they act as sensory seating to help reduce fidgeting or even as meditation aids. I have found that there are numerous uses to be found with wobble cushions.

These cushions are a simple but effective tool that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. They are lightweight, easy to inflate/deflate, and small to make storage easy. They are the practical and obvious choice for anyone who is seeking to improve their lower back and overall health. I believe that they are a fantastic solution for anyone concerned about their current and future spinal health or posture.

Don’t forget that you can always ask your chiropractor if you, or any of your loved ones, would like a spinal assessment before you implement a wobble cushion into your daily healthy habits. Additionally, if you would like to “try before you buy” and want a demonstration, myself and the Willow Chiropractic team on hand to help and advise you. Please feel free to contact us to demonstrate how to use a wobble cushion next time you visit our clinic.

Happy Wobbling Everyone!