Wheel Chair Cushions
Wheel chair cushions are an extremely important element of a quality wheelchair. When sitting in one spot for an extended period of time, even an unimpaired person will move and shift around a lot. When soft tissue is under a lot of pressure, certain cells in the area begin to die from a lack of nourishment and an inadequate blood supply. The longer a person sits without necessary movement, the greater the amount of dead cells will accumulate. Often, the result can be a pressure induced blood deprivation or what is known as a "pressure sore". These pressure sores are a special problem amongst people who have lost the ability of free movement. They are a common problem in hospital patients and especially wheel chair owners. For this reason, wheel chair cushions are often designed to help avoid this problem.
Some elements in wheel chair cushions help people to deal with the uncomfortable problems that ensue from prolonged sitting. These cushions are often fitted with a vinyl or a poly/cotton cover that sometimes has an antimicrobial element for added health benefits. They may have a pressure relieving foam which can come in various thicknesses such as two inch or four inch thickness. There are also combinations of material such as a gel/foam combination or what is known as a Viscotec conforming material. This material forms itself to your backside to provide more comfort in the seat. Another common element in these cushions is molded polyurethane foam. The best covers will be waterproof to protect the foam from moisture. Other common materials include viscoelastic foam and a tri-layered foam.
To be sitting for such a prolonged period of time, it is imperative that you plan for the inevitable problems that may ensue. Wheel chair cushions are designed to take care of your individual needs so that you don't have to be uncomfortable and can enjoy your daily activities. Be sure to research all the state of the art cushions that are available before you make your decision! You will be a lot happier and so will your BEHIND!
For more information about wheel chairs visit: Wheel Chair Cushions
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