Written by:
DANI ANDERSON, PT, DPT
Dani can be reached at dani@apexptwellness.com.
Brooke Erstad: The Serola Belt
This is by far my favorite back brace to recommend to my active patients that get a nagging achy pain down by their hips/low back. I have one myself and even was able to run 1/2 marathon with it on. It doesn’t ride up, very rarely slips, and the Velcro is strong enough to hold the pelvis in place during active movements. It’s very comfortable and streamlined making it easy to put under clothing and no one would even notice it’s on!
Many back braces are much larger in size, but that’s not always the best way to improve your back pain because they are designed for short term use to allow the muscles a chance to rest. Long term use of back braces can be detrimental to healing, but the Serola SI Belt is backed by research to activate your Transverse Abdominus muscles (the back’s favorite helper muscle) rather than make them weaker. So, while no brace is the best of all, Serola is really the next best thing. It’s really an amazing piece of equipment for a bargain price.
Apex Price: $31.18
Jill Ehrmantraut: Tailbone Cushion
Is your tailbone literally a pain in your butt? Tailbone pain (coccydynia) can be a very disruptive condition that can make sitting particularly difficult. I know from experience; I developed coccydynia post-partum when sitting for longer periods of time, admittedly in poor posture, while nursing my daughter. It hurts! When you sit, especially if you are sitting in a slouched position, you are sitting directly on your tailbone which can cause pain. Sometimes, even if you sit in good posture you will still be aggravating your tailbone. The good thing is a tailbone cushion can help! These are cushions that have a cut-out at your tailbone, which takes any pressure off it while sitting. This allows for pain-free sitting! Those who have tailbone pain know how important this can be. One of my favorites is the Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion, however there are many different types at many different price-ranges that will work. It’s not unusual to have to experiment and try 2-3 before finding one that works best for you, but trust me, finding one that allows for pain-free sitting is a life-changer if you suffer from tailbone pain!
Not at Apex:
Link to product shown above: $39.95
https://www.amazon.com/Everlasting-Comfort-Cushion-Designed-Tailbone/dp/B01EBDV9BU
Kayla Heger: The Squatty Potty
Everyone in your life needs a squatty potty. No matter if you have issues going #2 or not this piece of equipment is a must need in your house! The purpose of the squatty potty is to help your toilet posture, bringing the angle of your knee is slightly higher than your hips helps to relax the pelvic floor making it easier to go. Many children and adults struggle with the need to strain to help empty their bowel and bladder. This is a big “no-no” in the realm of pelvic health as it can lead to weakening of the pelvic floor and increase your chance of incontinence, prolapse, and other pelvic floor conditions. Ideally, you wouldn’t need to go out and buy a squatty potty, if you have a small stool in your home or even stack up a couple books and give it a try. You will be amazed by the difference it will make. If you want the best poop of your life you need to give this product a try.
Not at Apex:
Prices Vary, approx $25.00 (Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon, ETC)
Danielle Anderson: Maternity Belt
have always been a fan of maternity belts during pregnancy and commonly recommend them to patients, especially those with low back/SI pain. As I enter my third trimester with baby #2, I have found a new appreciation for these belts. When wearing these belts, I can sense a slight lift of my abdomen, which assists in taking stress off of my low back region. The effects that I didn’t realize until use during pregnancy was how the lift seemed to also take pressure off of my groin, round ligament, and bladder (yes, please!). I’ve experienced increased sensations of swelling through the lower half of my body this pregnancy and the slight abdominal lift seems to take pressure off of vital lymph regions, decreasing the amount of heaviness I feel. And what about that little strap on top? I honestly thought there was no point to this strap until now. The light pressure downward through my upper abdomen does actually feel nice and relieves some of the upward pressure from the baby. Heart burn and reflux anyone?!
Apex Price: $53.75
Casey Andrews: Probiotics
If you are looking for a supplement that can give you big bang for your buck then you definitely want to consider probiotics! Our gut has something called a microbiota that is made up of billions of tiny bacteria that help our body completely digest our food and are responsible for producing important hormones and neurotransmitters within our body. In fact, this microbiota is sometimes referred to our body’s “second brain” because of the huge impact it has within our body. So, where do probiotics come in? These supplements are made up of strains of these bacteria that live in our gut and help to support a healthy gut microbiome. Probiotics are helpful for people who struggle with constipation, diarrhea, GI upset, or even urinary problem. They are also a great option for those who are looking to maximize a t a healthy lifestyle!
Apex Price:
Adult 60 ct: $34.42
Adult 120 ct: $59.13
Kids 60ct: $20.93Kids 120 ct: $41.44
Megan Langerud: Pelvicore Ball
This simple little piece of equipment is a complete game-changer when it comes to strengthening through abs, glutes, pelvic floor muscles, and hips. Whether you are pregnant, post-partum, have pelvic floor dysfunction, or none of the above, you absolutely can benefit from this! This can be used on men and women of all ages and fitness levels. If you are working with me or have worked with me in the past, odds are you have seen this little guy a time or two (or twenty). The pelvicore ball works to activate lower abs, pelvic floor muscles, and hip muscles together functionally in order to help us build stronger, more stable cores – which in turn helps the rest of our body function and operate more smoothly. And who doesn’t want that!?
Apex Price: $55.00
If you have questions on any of the products featured, please reach out to one of our therapists! They can also help you decide if one of these items would be right for you or someone you know!
We are a private practice outpatient physical therapy clinic offer high quality care with a personal touch. We believe that every patient should receive the quality care needed to help them prevent or rehabilitate their injuries or illnesses.
