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Low back pain is devastating for patients, drains national economies, and is worsening worldwide. BackHug inventor Chongsu Lee, a physical therapist and former Hyundai engineer, is well aware of the growing need for treatment. In fact, his inability to physically cope with providing manual physical therapy to a growing number of clients led directly to his invention.
“Despite some serious symptoms, I had very good results, but the strain of using manual techniques eight hours a day was too much for my fingers,” he says. say. “Humans aren’t designed to do things like that for long periods of time.” What started as an experiment with MDF sheets purchased at a local DIY store has, eight years later, resulted in more than just back pain. It has evolved into a compact, sophisticated unit that can provide the deep tissue pressure needed to also reduce associated pain and headaches.
The accompanying app provides a short questionnaire about your back, leg, head, etc. problems and the intensity of the treatment you are receiving. The BackHug then slowly unfolds, lifting the legs until the spine is flat and fully aligned, and the 26 robotic fingers begin to move. Anyone who has used a massage chair will be familiar with the idea, but this one is more intensive, more targeted, more personalized, and allows the unit to improve its condition over time. Learn progression. Physical therapists like Lee can spend more time adjusting massage chairs. She outsources the repetitive manual labor to BackHug.
The device is currently operating in locations from Bishopsgate to Beverley Hills, with the device installed in working environments proving to be very popular. “We’re hearing that people are coming into the office more often to be able to get sessions,” he says. I can already feel the economy shifting gears. BackHug, subscriptions from £4,150 or £89 per month; mybackhug.com
watch for tracking
Ah, smartwatches. Our most necessary gadgets only start to shine when we relentlessly remind us of their capabilities and crack down on notifications. His second version of Google’s Pixel Watch is physically very similar to the first, but its gorgeous inertial scrolling and rounded, minimalist casing make it comfortable to use. Fitbit (now a Google company) is deeply integrated and may have better options for sports enthusiasts, but its approach to health tracking (heart rate, stress levels, steps) is already It is familiar to people and very user friendly. Naturally, it’s not compatible with the Apple ecosystem, but it combines nicely with Android. Google pixel watch 2349 pounds
ask me to stay
Noise is beautiful, but according to Loop, noise puts 1.1 billion people at risk of hearing loss. As a musician who stands in the rehearsal room near the drum kit, I’m always on the lookout for devices that can reduce noise levels while maintaining audio clarity. Loop earplugs do that cheaply, stylishly, and very effectively, and their latest edition, the Switch, replaces his three other Loop models (Quiet, Experience, Engage) with his one combined into a unit. A 3-position slider on each earbud subtly changes the sound profile. This is all done through clever acoustic engineering (no batteries required). Loved by clubbers, gig-goers, and neurotic people, this game is like turning down the volume of the world around you. loop switch54.95 pounds
capital calf
Hyperice is best known for its massage guns that soothe sore muscles, but its compression wraps offer a gentle route to recovery. These wearables inflate and massage to relieve fatigue. Lower Legs is the newest (and most portable). It can also be used in conjunction with an app, but it doesn’t have to be. Just set the intensity level and duration and you’re ready to go. I’m not sure if it improved hemoglobin oxygen levels as claimed, but for me experiencing calf pain, it certainly provided welcome relief. It’s unrealistic and ridiculous to wear it permanently, but it’s still a little tempting. Hyperice Normatec lower limbs429 pounds
smart pilates
These days, all kinds of devices are advertised as “the Tesla of X” or “the Peloton of Y,” and in this case the comparison makes sense. A smart Pilates reformer with a built-in HD screen, the right dedicated trainer will guide you through each workout (of which there are over 100), and tracking technology within the unit will report on your exercise progress. Four color-coded buttons correspond to different resistance loads (the trainer gives you the necessary attention), and a foot bar and leg exerciser are included. (Add-ons such as sitting he boxes and jump boards are also available.) If you welcome bespoke Pilates training, but can do it without the overly critical eye of a personal he trainer, this is the way to go is. Reform RX6,895 pounds
@Rhodri