Tough question!! In the world of seating and mobility, the first thing to know is if the person who needs the lumbar roll is in a fixed position or a flexible position at the pelvis. If their pelvis is fixed in posterior pelvic tilt, a lumbar roll isn't going to do anything except make them slide forward and away from it. If the position is flexible, it's trial and error. Try a small roll and see if the person is more comfortable and/or sits more upright. Lumbar rolls often help people who have lumbar lordosis since the roll can fill in the gap and help the person make full contact with the back of their chair.
If you are in the position that most skilled nursing facilities are in, you're probably trying to modify a "transport or hospital" chair.......the bright silver frame with navy, maroon, etc. naugahyde sling seat and back. This type of chair already puts people at a disadvantage because the sling effect promotes posterior pelvic tilt and rounded shoulders. It is very hard to sit up straight in one of those chairs even if you are completely able-bodied with good muscle tone/control. Wow......can you tell that's one of my soapboxes? It's a very frustrating situation to try to position everyone adequately when you are given very few tools/resources to do it well. I guess I would say the general rule is if the posture is flexible, you can try using external positioning to promote a more midline/ upright position. If the posture is not flexible, don't try to change it. Just support it. That's my 2 cents. Since seating and mobility is my passion and also most of my practice now, I look forward to hearing the opinions of others. Mary Alice Cafiero, MSOTR, ATP On Oct 27, 2007, at 8:52 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > I work in a skilled nursing setting. Positioning is a major part of > the OT's > job. We are looking for information regarding possible > contraindications with > use of a lumbar roll. Also, the staff would like to know in what > situations > would you use this roll. We all have our own opinions but would > like input > from others on this matter. thanks for your help! > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > ********************************************************************** > **************** > Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science > for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. > www.otdegree.com/otn > ********************************************************************** > **************** -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
