"Smart corset" - support and rescue from back pain
Topics: Research, Invention, Technology
According to The Daily Mail, engineers have presented a unique Atlas corset - it relieves pressure on the spine, thereby removing pain. Built into the corset are tiny sensors and motors that move to stretch the spine, relieve pain and increase mobility. The corset is currently being tested on 32 patients in France.
According to statistics, low back pain is one of the most common health problems, affecting 8 out of every 10 adults at some point in their lives. The causes of pain are varied and may include age-related degeneration or damage to the shock-absorbing discs that lie between the vertebrae, or effects on the sciatic nerve.
Treatment ranges from pain relievers to physical therapy and even surgery. In many cases, exercise helps strengthen the muscles in the back, abdomen, and legs that support the spine. But doctors state that many patients with pain do not exercise, fearing that this will aggravate their condition (kinesiophobia). This only makes things worse, as the muscles weaken from lack of exercise.
The new high-tech device solves this problem by relieving pressure on the spine, helping the patient to move more freely. The brace's sensors detect movement and tiny motors begin to stretch the painful areas of the back, decreasing the compression of the nerves. According to the developers, the patient must wear this corset for 60 minutes during rehabilitation sessions. This is the first device that simultaneously relieves pain instantly and allows you to move freely.
