The stinging pain in your back is a horrible reminder of
the heavy thing you lifted without bending your knees or of the chubby
baby you pick up every now and then. You pop in a few painkillers and
even try to stretch. You set up a massage appointment to get some
relief, albeit temporarily. But, it never goes away for good.
A
new wearable in the market seems like a good solution to your chronic
back pain. This device, known as Valedo, has two wireless sensors that
stick to your lower back and chest with the help of special stickers
that are included. You will have to wear them while you play a
corresponding game on your iPhone or iPad. Your physical movements send
your game character through an obstacle course, grabbing jewels as it
progresses.
In fact, the gaming moves are exercises that are supposed to stretch and strengthen your back muscles and reduce pain.
When
you use Valedo, it is easy to forget that you are exercising. It is a
lot like being tricked into eating healthier food as a child, when our
mothers swapped food with healthier alternatives.
You
will have to download the accompanying app and stick the two sensors -
one on the lower back and the other on your chest. The app has diagrams
to help you through this and a series of tests to measure your range of
motion.
The Valedo sensors connect to your iPhone or
iPad via Bluetooth. The sensors have a battery charge of two weeks if
you use them for 20 minutes a day, as recommended by the company. To
charge them again, the whole package has a USB cord that plugs into a
computer and charges both sensors up simultaneously in about 90 minutes.
The
sensors are lightweight (each weighs just .63 ounces) and are easy to
wear. They blink to tell you that they are connected to your device.
However, sticking these on and pulling them off can be irritating,
especially for those with hairy backs and chests.
The
games that come with Valedo can be used while holding an iPhone or an
iPad. You can also prop your device up on a shelf in front of you. If
you want to play on a bigger screen, you can use a mirroring service
like AirPlay on your Mac or TV.
The first few levels
of the games are quite easy. However, the difficulty level keeps
increasing as you keep playing. The sensors are extremely sensitive and
pick up the smallest twists and bends as you go. Also, a representation
of your body shows up in the lower right corner. This way, you will be
able to see how your posture looks.
The only glitch
is — Valedo is expensive ($299). But, the cost of visiting your physical
therapist or your masseuse again and again can scale up over time. If
your back pain is severe and you are desperately looking for a solution,
then Valedo is well worth an investment.
http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fitness/a-wearable-solution/article7028622.ece
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