Oh, that aching back

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts December 1999
December 1999
Short Cuts:
Oh, that aching back

If the strain of perpetual travel is putting the weight of the world on your shoulders, check out a number of back-saving products designed for those who spend a lot of time on the move.

The Healthy Back Bag, which is available from mail-order company TravelSmith (800-950-1600; www.travelsmith.com), alleviates stress on the shoulders and back by distributing weight more evenly. Prices range from $59 to $199, plus shipping.

Dr. Scott Donkin, member of the American Chiropractic Association and author of Sitting on the Job (Houghton Mifflin Co., $15), says, “A wedge or cushion placed in the hollow of your lower back fills the gap between you and the chair,” correcting posture. Sissel’s Swedish Orthopedic Travel Pillow, available for $45.95 plus shipping from Houston-based Back Be Nimble (800-639-3746; www.backbenimble.com), can be rolled up and placed behind the lower back for comfort when seated. Unrolled, the Sissel pillow’s curves support the neck to ensure an ergonomically correct night’s rest. The pillow also is sold at the company’s Houston store.

Back Be Nimble also offers The Backnobber II, made by Pressure Positive. The S-shaped, handheld massager curves over the user’s shoulder. Long enough to reach elusive kinks, it snaps apart and can be packed easily into a briefcase. Retail price is $31.99, plus shipping.

MARTHA COOKE