Customer Reviews

Lumbar Extender Back Stretcher

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've tried similar fixed-height extenders made from dense foam, as well as inversion and traction devices, and this one has them all beat. The unit is definitely very portable, and having 3 levels of adjustment is very nice. Though it does take a bit of strength to set it in the highest position, it's not a major issue. The instructions are thorough and include multiple variants for different levels of stretch. The effectiveness of spending 5-10 minutes a day relaxing on this is amazing, and I am completely free from back pain. This is definitely my favorite new toy, and considering it costs less than 2 trips to the chiropractor, it's a great investment.

Update, May 6, 2010

I was reviewing my reviews this evening, and yes, this is still one of my favorite possessions. I don't need to use it much these days, but I still have it and it could be sold "as new", not that I would. I really wish more products were constructed with this level of excellence and durability. Thank you to the team behind this product.

I'm almost 50yo with lower back pain. The pain is caused by slight misalignment, compression, and pinched nerves (standard lower back pain).

It is slightly uncomfortable, initially, only because of the stretch. RELAX the muscles and it works great! Relaxing the muscles is the hard part.

The first time I used it and I finally managed to relax the muscles, my lower back popped twice causing me to yelp in pain and relief at the same time. Even the dog looked around at me.

Follow the post usage directions or you'll undo all of your gain. Roll off of the stretcher and lay on your stomach for a few moments. Then slowly and carefully, raise yourself up to your hands and knees and remain there for a bit. Finally, use a table or a chair to help yourself get up. Do not simply attempt to stand or you'll send everything back to the pain position.

Your back will return to the pain, intially within an hour or less but using it 3-4 times a week the painfree time gets longer. Once you are up to around 4-5 hours pain free, start walking again with long strides at a reasonably quick pace to stretch and strengthen the lower back muscles. This will encourage the lower back muscles to keep the spine in alignment.

Try the walking when the back is in pain at your own risk. Doing so ~could~ train the muscles to keep the back misaligned.

I'm using it at the lowest setting with a pillow under my head/neck.

This is a simple, compact device that travels easily (collapse it and toss it in your suitcase). It is almost pain free after several uses. It does what it's advertised to do and is cheaper than visits to the doctor and muscle relaxers (which don't do a lot for you anyway).

Bottom line: If the dog ate it, I'd buy another after yelling at and tossing the dog outside for the night.

Mark H

For two years I suffered with four herniated discs. Physical therapy, a spinal injection , chiropractic adjustments, and many sessions on a spinal decompression machine provided short term relief. I started using the McKenzie Method extension exercises, and this offered the most relief. Fortunately, I finally discovered the Lumbar Extender in an internet ad. I noticed that it placed the spine in a similar position as the McKenzie exercises. So, I decided to order the Lumbar Extender to determine if it would provide better relief than all the other methods I was using.

The first two weeks that I used the Lumbar Extender, I had some minor discomfort. Now after five weeks using the Lumbar Extender, I can honestly say that my back has not felt better in two years. This device does all that it says it will do. I actually enjoy lying on it for two seven-minute sessions each day-one session in the morning and one session at night.

When I first used the device, I heard snapping noises in my lower back, probably the spinal facets being repositioned, and then I would experience immediate relief. Now I feel as if I have better posture and better curvature to my lumbar region. The cost of the Lumbar Extender is low compared to a visit to a doctor, and it is worth trying. I highly recommend it.

I rate this piece of equipment as 4 stars because I have not used it enough to know if it does everything it claims....however I have been amazed at how this little contraption does wonders on my back.

When I first got this lumbar extender I set up up in about 2 seconds and then stretched backwards to lay on it. OMG, as I laid down it was like I couldn't even breath for a brief second. To actually feel my back being forced into shape nearly took my breath away as all the muscles were pushed around. I had to relax and it was amazing how sore the muscles in my back were from leaning over my computer at work.

Having used it for about a month now, my back has started to feel much better and I am sleeping better too.

Takes a while to get use to the pressure in the arch of the back, but once you've adjusted, it does provide back relief. I find younger people need the higher settings while those of us in the plus 50 group find the lower settings plenty.

After reading "Mr. Fix-it's" review below, I thought he must have done something wrong. However, after spending two weeks at the easiest bend (the first level), I decided to move the plastic board up one notch to the medium (second) level. BIG mistake.

Somehow my back became injured from this thing as now I get a "shooting pain" down my spine any time I move wrong or stand up! It's so bad it makes me wince and yelp outloud in pain. Yesterday a little kid tried to jump on my back (I teach kids) and he had no idea how badly it hurt (I lift weights so I'm pretty solid, but I haven't been able to lift much of anything since this spine injury.

I hope it heals soon. Yep, while I started off loving this thing, and it seems hard to believe just looking at it, it can definitely cause problems. Probably if I had to do over I would just have kept it on level one.-Michael

Caution!!! May cause injury., January 31, 2007

By Serge Kavetsky "Mr. Fix-it"

I was happily using this product on a daily basis for about three months and noticed that I started getting a pain in the middle of my back. After consulting my chiropractor, he told me that I had pushed one of my thoracic vertebra out of position. It has actualy been pushed inward. Now I have to kick my feet over my head daily to try to move it back into position. I have a smaller frame than most and for me, this piece of equipment hits right in the middle of my back. It would be nice if this product had a smaller size to just do the lower lumbar region. So although it feels great to use this product, only use it on your lower back and use it with extreme caution.

I had a herniated disc in my L4 and L5 about 2 1/2 years ago. Im my laziness, I never stayed with my exercises, and I opted not to get back surgery. Fast Forward to today, and I still have back pain. I wanted to try some products to get me started towards a healthy back again, and this really works. It works by stretching your back. Thats it. Nothing fancy, no instant pain relief, it just stretches the tight back. Over a few days, my back pain started to get better. If I laxed in my using, the pain would start to get worse, so I would start stretching again, and my pain got better. That's it, but it works. I love it for the relief I get.

I first saw this item advertised in the SkyMall catalog when I was on a recent flight. I ordered it and have not been disappointed.

I'm 55 years old, sit at a desk all day, and have seen the older members of my family become quite stooped. I'd like to avoid that fate. I use this device for five-minute stretches about three times a day, and find it has helped my posture a great deal. I've sent a couple of them to family members with back and posture issues, and they have been similarly pleased.

I couldn't stand straight aftering kneeling down to clean the litter box. I used the Lumbar Extender twice a day, and in a few days, I was able to stand straight after cleaning the litter box. I was amazed that it really worked. Now I only use the Lumbar Extender when I occassionally feel my lower back.

I really love my Lumbar Extender. The first time I used it, I was honestly afraid. Things were stretching that I didn't know I had! But after a few minutes, I started to feel things "fall into place" in my body.

I use it often, and if it wasn't so heavy (don't get me wrong - the metal base is a good thing - I don't think plastic would survive without being significantly larger), I'd take it traveling with me too.