Education in Motion / Resources / Seating Resources / Choosing the Right Back Support for You

Choosing the Right Back Support for You

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There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the appropriate back support for manual and power wheelchair riders. There are many different types that have unique attributes to best support the client. This guide provides helpful clinical goals, specific features to consider, and suggestions.

Posterior Pelvic Tilt with Kyphosis

Posterior pelvic tilt with kyphosis skeletal diagram

Common factors:

  • Seat depth too long
  • Lack of support at lumbar spine or PSIS
  • Foot supports at incorrect height
  • Increased/decreased trunkal tone
  • Hip flexion to less than 90°
  • Shortened hamstrings
  • Back support too upright or tall

Clinical Back Support Goals

Reducible

  • Correct flexible deformity
  • Reduce back or neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance
  • Maximize upper body function
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Non-reducible

  • Accommodate fixed deformity
  • Reduce back or neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance
  • Maximize upper body function
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Specific Features Required

Reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to correct deformity
  • Angle adjustable - optimize trunk stability
  • Appropriate height - support trunk to enable function
  • Depth adjustable - improve lateral trunk stability
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - increased comfort

Non-reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to accommodate deformity
  • Angle adjustable - allow open seat-to-back angle for stability
  • Appropriate height - support trunk to enable function
  • Depth adjustable - increase lateral stability
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - for comfort

Support Type

Reducible

First option:

Tension-adjustable back

Tension-Adjustable Back

For firmer support:

Solid back support

Solid Back Support

Non-reducible

First option:

Tension-adjustable back

Tension-Adjustable Back

For firmer support:

Solid back support with foam inserts

Solid Back Support with foam inserts

Anterior Pelvic Tilt with Hyperlordosis

Anterior pelvic tilt with hyperlordosis skeletal diagram

Common factors:

  • Back support too upright
  • Excessive lumbar contouring
  • Tight quadriceps / hip flexors, spinal extensors
  • Weak abdominals or low central tone

Clinical Back Support Goals

Reducible

  • Correct flexible deformity - restore correct spinal curves
  • Reduce back / neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance
  • Maximize upper body function
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Non-reducible

  • Accommodate fixed posture
  • Reduce back or neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance
  • Maximize upper body function - contact with pelvis and spine
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Specific Features Required

Reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to correct deformity and promote spinal curves
  • Angle adjustable - closed angle for support at PSIS / Lumbar region
  • Appropriate height - sufficient support at PSIS / Lumbar region without compromising arm function
  • Depth adjustable - improve lateral trunk stability if required
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - increased comfort

Non-reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to accommodate Hyperlordosis
  • Angle adjustable - closed angle for support at PSIS / Lumbar region
  • Height - provide support at PSIS / Lumbar region without compromising arm function
  • Horizontal depth adjustable - bring backrest user to maximum support
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - increased comfort

Support Type

Reducible

Solid back support

Solid Back Support

Non-reducible

Tension-adjustable back

Tension-Adjustable Back

Pelvic Obliquity and Scoliosis

Pelvic obliquity and scoliosis skeletal diagram

Common factors:

  • Seat width too wide
  • Sling upholstery (slackened / stretched)
  • Armrests too low
  • Lack of pelvic support under greater trochanters
  • Asymmetrical pain, ATNR

Clinical Back Support Goals

Reducible

  • Correct flexible deformity - restore correct spinal curves
  • Reduce back / neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance using 3-point force correction
  • Maximize upper body function
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Non-reducible

  • Accommodate fixed deformity
  • Reduce back / neck pain
  • Increase trunk stability and balance using 3-point force principle to support
  • Maximize upper body function
  • Increase comfort and sitting tolerance
  • Promote skin integrity

Specific Features Required

Reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to correct deformity and promote symmetrical spine
  • Angle adjustable - optimize trunk stability
  • Appropriate height - to enable placement of pads in 3-point force configuration
  • Depth adjustable - improve lateral trunk stability if required
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - increased comfort

Non-reducible

  • Adjustable contouring - to accommodate deformity
  • Angle adjustable - optimize trunk stability
  • Appropriate height - to enable placement of pads in 3-point force configuration
  • Depth adjustable - improve lateral trunk stability if required
  • Breathability - reduce perspiration
  • Soft foam overlay - increased comfort

Support Type

Reducible

Solid back support

Solid Back Support

Non-reducible

Solid back support

Solid Back Support

Our JAY range has offered superior postural support design since 1983. JAY wheelchair backs provide stability in sitting to reduce fatigue and discomfort while optimizing propulsion performance. Go anywhere with confidence. For more information, visit our JAY backs section.

JAY J3
JAY J3

The J3™ Back is designed with a variety of contour depths, support heights, widths (ranging from 12" to 26"), and support shapes to fit almost every user.

Learn more
JAY ZIP
JAY ZIP

Lightweight, versatile, and designed just for kids.

Learn more
JAY J3 Carbon
JAY J3 Carbon

Ultra lightweight and stylish backrest for active users.

Learn more
JAY Care
JAY Care

Accommodate a client with a kyphotic thoracic spine.

Learn more
JAY GO
JAY GO

Premium tension-adjustable backrest for greater support and comfort.

Learn more
JAY J2 Deep Contour
JAY J2 Deep Contour

Designed to provide posterior lateral pelvic stabilization along with enhanced trunk stability.

Learn more

References

  1. Alkhateeb, Daher, N. S., Forrester, B. J., Martin, B. D., & Jaber, H. M. (2021). Effects of adjustments to wheelchair seat to back support angle on head, neck, and shoulder postures in subjects with cerebral palsy. Assistive Technology, 33(6), 326-332. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1641167
  2. Lange, M. L., & Minkel, J. (2018). Seating and wheeled mobility: A clinical resource guide. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated.
  3. Presperin Pedersen, Smith, C., Dahlin, M., Henry, M., Jones, J., McKenzie, K., Sevigny, M., & Yingling, L. (2022). Wheelchair backs that support the spinal curves: Assessing postural and functional changes. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 45(2), 194-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2020.1760530
  4. Ukita, Abe, M., Kishigami, H., & Hatta, T. (2020). Influence of back support shape in wheelchairs offering pelvic support on asymmetrical sitting posture and pressure points during reaching tasks in stroke patients. PloS One, 15(4), e0231860-e0231860. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231860

Published: 2023-05-22

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