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BESPOKE: THE HANDBUILT BICYCLE
Posted by hipstomp | 19 Jan 2009
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Comments (4)
After stumbling across this photo, I cursed the internet for once again showing me something that would give me nightmares. Then I realized this is actually a therapeutic device, available by prescription and intended to improve posture.
I can't speak to the Vertical Traction Kit With Door Strap Assembly and Head Halter's efficacy, but I can say I've never seen a medical device more badly in need of design. (Then again I'm male and have never been to a gynecologist.) A little help, anyone?
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Sure it's ugly, but for those with neck pain, the efficacy is outstanding. If you want to compete, the best you can do is lower costs or improve efficacy. The reimbursement rate is the reimbursement rate, CMS and private insurance is not going to give you more money because it looks good and the efficacy is the same. You cannot market a medical device on "design". Those days are long over. If it is better, you need to prove it.
Its obvious the water filled bag is intended to act as a crash pad for your upper body when somebody comes blazing through the door.
There's a great scene in the film The Savages from 2007 where Philip Seymour Hoffman's character uses one of these after a tennis mishap, much to the amusement of his sister (Laura Linney). Possibly worth seeing just for that scene and his strange suspended discomfort. I think the reason the above photo shows the back of the patient's head and not their front is that it makes you look like your head is in an inverted vice.
Ant
This is a home therapeutic traction device commonly used by physical therapists and chiropractors. It has nothing to do with posture. It is used to help decompress herniated discs in the neck. Your picture actually shows the "wrong" way toset up the device. That was probably intentional on your part, I am guessing. Anyway, this device is very comfortable, very safe and highly effective for reducing nerve pressure resulting from one or more herniated cervical discs. Retails for about $25 compared to prettier devices that cost upwards of $500.