Reducing Back Pain Through the Feet

Its long-since been known that the feet are a gateway to the body. From various pressure points and strategically placed shoes, a number of conditions can be helped (and reduced) by adjusting the way we use our feet. A massage can make the pain go away, while sturdier shoes can work to eliminate the issue every time you take a step. Just by reworking the way weight is distributed and moving it toward a more cohesive setup, back pain, headaches, and more can all be reduced. 

While, in contrast, unsupportive shoes or going barefoot too often can actually increase some of these ailments. Especially if there is too much pressure put on the “wrong” areas of the foot. 

A Spa Day for the Feet

The key point is to determine exactly where your pains are located, and where that area connects to your feet. (Internally anyway.) But with ancient practices that pinpoint direct links between body parts and the feet, there are plenty of books and websites dedicated to better treatment. This can mean an experienced masseuse, spending some time in a parlor that specializes in detoxification and feet, or simply Googling a location and giving yourself an at-home cure. 

However, each person will react to treatments differently. Talk to your doctor, or visit an experienced pro to get the rundown. Once they explain the basics, you can work on regimens at home, before heading back to them for bigger tune ups. 

Other budget-friendly methods:

• A foot bath
• Shoe insoles
• Quality lotion or foot exfoliators
• Putting your feet up while sitting (check the ergonomics on this before making it an everyday event)
• Spa deals, such as coupons or repeat discounts

Whether you’re suffering from lower back pain or another muscle-based issue, proper foot care can help put these aches at ease. Consider better foot treatment for you and the rest of your body. 

Continue Reading

CPAP Treatment to Reduce Diabetes

In the medical world, nothing is quite as good as a dual-purpose cure. Rather than treating two separate issues, both can be cured with a single cure. The odds of this working correctly, however, are very slim. How often can a patient reduce multiple problems with only one solution?

Thanks to some recent research, that’s exactly the case for CPAP machine. Not only does it allow for better, more restful sleep for those suffering from sleep apnea, it helps treat outside issues, such as diabetes. Patients who use their breathing machine on a regular basis have shown lessened effects of type two diabetes. Additionally, those who use daily treatment methods to control their diabetes have had better, more accurate results from their medication.

The CPAP Results in Action

This news comes after a controlled study, which outlined patients for the past five years. Here patients were selected based on their experiences with type two diabetes, then evaluated for prescription medications, as well as their past adjustments with the medicine. Scientists in the United Kingdom have been collecting data on those sleeping with the machines vs. those who were not. 

But how do the CPAP machines help? It’s thought that by better, uninterrupted sleep, patients are able to heal naturally rather than relying solely on the medicine’s involvement. Those who get better sleep are also proven to promote weight loss, increase blood flow, and create an increased amount of energy. This often means additional exercise and movement, which can also reduce the symptoms of diabetes.

What This Means

Whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea, but do suffer from type two diabetes, a CPAP machine could improve your treatment. Talk to your doctor about getting a machine, and learn more about how it might help your treatment. 

Continue Reading

Research Links Snoring and Weight Gain

Have you ever stopped to consider the sleeping side effects that come from snoring? The excess noise might keep you up (or your significant other), and might cause the occasional dry throat. Especially when spring allergies are clogging up the breathing process even more than normal. But did you know that snoring at night can also affect your day? New research shows that regular snorers are more likely to experience weight gain, especially over long periods of time.

Because snoring means interrupted sleep, it means you are losing rest every time that you gurgle or snort. Even if you don’t completely wake up, there is coughing or irregular breathing patterns that take away from the body’s ability to sleep. Or in other words, snoring = less sleep, whether or not you realize it. While this is likely to leave you drained and tired the next day, it’s actually not the worst side effect. A lack of sleep can mean inactivity and weight gain during one’s waking hours. Being tired can leave us lethargic, hungry, and unwilling to get in necessary exercise. And, over time, this can mean excessive amounts of weight gain, paired with dwindling levels of energy and growing levels of tiredness. An all around negative outcome. 

How to Eliminate Snoring

Thankfully, snoring is one sleeping issue that’s easy to cure. If you’re a sometimes snorer, look to variables that may cause sleep. Some of the most common snoring triggers include alcohol before bed, cold symptoms (whether from sickness or allergies), and sleeping position. By adjusting these simple aspects, you can work to eliminate snoring and wave off the extra pounds (stemmed through wakefulness) simply from how you sleep.

If your snoring is more stubborn, however, you may need to look into additional cures, such as nasal strips or CPAP machines, which regulate your air while you sleep. By providing a steady stream of airflow, you’re able to stay in a deep sleep rather than waking from a cough or sudden gasp for air. 

No matter the severity of your snoring, remember that getting it under control can help you shed excess pounds. Diagnose your snoring cause today for more restful nights of sleephttp://www.contourliving.com/deluxe-cpapmax-comfort-kit/. 

Continue Reading

New Product: Quilted Mesh Reversible Cover

Contour Living is proud to announce the release of its newest product, the Quilted Mesh Reversible pillow cover. Thanks to this new innovation, sleepers everywhere can add comfort and style to their bedrooms without breaking the bank. Best of all, it allows you to transform your already existing pillows into a comfortable, reusable model that will last for years on end. Or – until you’re ready to upgrade to a new one. 

How the Quilted Mesh Cover Works

Simply place a pillow inside the Contour cover to add volume and comfort; use it to turn any pillow, even the wimpiest of pillows, into luxury model. Choose from three different pillow sizes (standard, queen, and king), and create the sleeping surface – and space – you value most. 

The case is also reversible to offer sleepers the best of both worlds, and the best of hot and cold seasons. Use the mesh side, which made of breathable material so you can stay cool throughout the night, a fact that comes as great news to any hot sleeper. Or, choose from the quilted comfort side for an added bit of plushness to help cradle you into wintertime sleep. 

But because the case comes with two durable options, there’s no need to pick sides. 

Additional features:

• Soft, quilted cover to help induce sleep
• Made of 100% cotton and comes with 300-thread count
• Made with premium breathability to reduce night time sweating or overheating
• Reversible case to compliment sleeper temperature and environment

Shop now to receive a discount on multiple cases, with free shipping when you purchase two or more covers. One for you, one for your significant other, for the guest room, or for the next person on your shopping list. 

Ready to upgrade your sleeping environment with a Quilted Mesh Cover? Head to Contour Living’s product page and start shopping today. 

Continue Reading

Jobs That Require Excessive Bending – And What to Do About It

Out of all of the available jobs in today’s market, there are plenty to choose from. No matter your talents, preferences, or area(s) of expertise, folks can find a position that utilizes their learned skills. Depending on the workload, however, that might mean sitting in an office chair for hours on end, or it might mean spending your days laying tile or lifting heavy objects. None of which offer good news for the back. But no matter what your preferred method of paying the bills may be, there are back-friendly tips to help even the most strenuous of jobs.

Back Breaking Positions

• Physical laborers, such as construction workers, contractors, plumbers, etc.
• Childcare providers (babies are heavy!)
• Medical professionals, who are on their feet most of a shift
• Food servers, who carry heavy trays and bend while serving and picking up plates
• Office workers who sit most of the day

How to Prevent Work-Induced Back Pain

Obviously, if you’re suffering from current pains, you should talk to both your doctor and your employer. Your doctor so that he or she can work out a treatment plan, and can determine what activities are causing the most pain(s). And your employer so you can work to find a better daytime solution to the activities that are triggering your symptoms.

On your own, however, you can consider various treatment methods. For instance, massages, which can relax the muscles, small doses of OTC pain medications (once doctor approved), or evening stretching to loosen up the muscles. New supportive pillows or seat cushions (even if you’re not sitting that often) can also do wonders for the back. 

No matter your job or level of back pain, consider these simple tips – as well as personal consults – to help eliminate the problem. And to find your next seat cushion, check out Contour’s selection here.  

Continue Reading

What Happens When you Can’t Control Your Sweet Tooth?

In just a few days, the Easter Bunny will leave all kinds of sugary goodness in his path. From plastic eggs filled with treats, to faux animals made of pure chocolate, it’s every kid’s dream to wake up to this sugar-infested hunt. And they’re not the only ones getting in on the fun, adults can clean up the jellybean messes with the most candy-loving of them all. But just because these candies taste good doesn’t mean you should overdo it.

Aside from the obvious side effects, such as teeth health and weight gain, there are a few other symptoms that come from too much sugar. Ones that affect everyday health. To keep your body at its best, even when there are tasty distractions, consider all these sugar-induced ailments.

Poor Digestion

When eating too much candy, the body has a much harder time breaking foods down and into viable nutrients (if they exist). Unless you want to risk an evening of stomach cramps and substances that are virtually impossible to digest, stick to a diet of real food and leave the candy for the kids.

Bone Density Issues

When there’s nothing but artificial sugars pumping through your body for hours on end, how are the bones to replenish themselves? If you must eat candy, remember to take a daily vitamin or bookend the sweets with healthy meals (preferably those rich in calcium) to keep the body in proper working order, even when your food choices aren’t the healthiest.

Risk for Illness and/or Disease

Those who eat ample amounts of sugar are more likely to fall susceptible to an illness or disease, such as diabetes or other chronic diagnoses. (Most notably from high blood sugar levels.) Regular bouts of sugar can bring havoc to the immune system, leaving it unable to fight off germs and in a further weakened state.

Easter can be a tempting time for anyone with a sweet tooth, just remember to keep the sweets in moderation to avoid serious side effects. 

Continue Reading

Are Your Kids Not Getting Enough Sleep? TV Could Be To Blame

Watching television has long since been a controversial topic. Though it’s an avid source for entertainment and news, it’s not exactly healthy to sit in front of a box for hours on end. Especially when it’s used to watch non-educational content. The same can be said for playing video games or even allowing the TV to play in the background. Whatever its use, there are plenty of negative side effects that can come from watching TV – the latest of which includes one’s quality of sleep. 

According to sleep studies, scientists say that children who are exposed to too much screen time throughout the day don’t get enough quality sleep. This is not the first such study of its kind, however, the latest results encounter those who sleep and view TV in the same room. Whether the children are trying to sleep or simply previously viewed a program in the same room, the mix of activities triggers something that works to keep them awake. 

Some argue it’s due to the science within the brain – that if we do a certain activity in a certain place, our body subconsciously puts those two things together. Then, when we attempt to change that activity, we have a hard time adjusting. Others believe that, since the results are specific to kids, it’s more of an act of rebellion or rather wishing they were watching TV. Whereas adults can better recognize when they’re tired and therefore better value quality sleep.

Whatever the science behind it, it’s clear that kids and TV are not always a productive mix. To allow your kids to get the best sleep – as often as possible –consider limiting TV time, or making sure there are only televisions in living areas. (Not their bedroom.) Take advantage of this sleep perk study today – for both you and for your kids.  

Continue Reading

Have Trouble Slouching? This Piece of Jewelry Could Solve Your Problems

We know slouching is bad. Our mothers, grandmothers, and teachers have been telling us this since we were old enough to sit. But just because we know we shouldn’t do something doesn’t mean it’s easy to not do it. Like slouching. No matter how many times we’ve heard “don’t slouch,” it doesn’t make sitting up straight any more comfortable. Especially when slouching in that office chair is so easy – during the afternoon post-napping period and beyond. 

But thanks to a new invention, disguised as jewelry, it’s a step you no longer have to take on your own. Known as the Lumo Lift, this small electronic device buzzes every time your spine begins to curve. Or whenever you want it to. Set the device to offer reminders or just keep track on your sitting behaviors. It works by wearing the device near their collarbone, which then measures the curvature of the back throughout the day. The device even connects to your smartphone, allowing you to track your posture progress over time. 

Lumo Lift creators also boast instant posture benefits, such as appearing more welcoming to others and receiving an adrenaline rush each time you straighten your back.

The Lumo Lift and Everyday Style

For those worried about personal style, the device has you covered. Users can choose from white, black, or silver, while fashionable “clips” in a rainbow of colors and fancier, bejeweled models, which help jazz up the device for special occasions. (Or just dressier officewear.) These clips contain magnets attaching the Lift, so they can blend in with any shirt color.

Though it has yet to hit the market, these small devices can be pre-ordered (models are $79 and $94, with the latter offering colored clips). Pick one up for yourself or the entire office to gain a discount while promoting good posture office-wide. 

To learn more about this interesting twist on bodily science-meets-technology, head to their website at LumoBodyTech.com.

Continue Reading

Ergonomically Correct Tips for Using Tech

Earlier this week we talked about the dangers of using electronics incorrectly over time. How bad posture and craned muscles, pains and other ailments could worsen simply from texting or watching TV the “wrong” way. With just a little bit of bodily awareness, however, you can easily reverse those bad habits and replace them with something more ergonomically correct.

Computer Work

When at the computer, make sure your elbows sit at a 90-degree angle. This will not only help you type faster, but create a better resting position for your arms. Feet should also be flat on the floor, with the screen slightly below your line of sight. (Usually this calls for a sliding keyboard tray or a monitor stand.) Wrist wrests, natural keyboards, etc. can also be great additions for the long-term typer.

Texting

Generally with texting, the bigger the screen, the better. Hands weren’t meant to squeeze and cramp into one tiny location – instead, spread them out as much as possible. iPhones can be turned horizontal to allow for bigger keys, and many Android phones have a pencil-like feature where users drag their pointer finger from one key to the next. 

Also be sure to sit upright and avoid a bending neck when looking to read each text. 

Watching TV

Depending on how much TV you watch per day, it’s a habit that can create a number of issues. If you’re a long-term watcher, keep your posture in check whether on the couch or with the help of a recliner. Stretching or moving during commercial breaks can also eliminate decreased body activity – physically and internally.

Tablets and eReaders

These devices may make reading easier, but they can also do a number on your neck. Watch your leaning or hunching posture when using these devices to avoid literal pains in the neck. It’s also a good idea to lower the screen brightness to avoid eye issues such as spots or desensitized retinas. (Learn more by talking with your eye doctor about potential dangers.) 

To keep on track with all your technology, remember these body-friendly tips each time you log on.

Continue Reading

Why it’s Important to Stay Ergonomically Correct with Electronics

As the public becomes more and more reliant on electronic-based entertainment, the way we react to tech has taken significant changes. While it can be hard to get through the day without a working cell phone or computer, there can be even more, less noticeable changes taking place. (Yes, some things are more important than a lousy Wi-Fi connection.) For instance, the way we use said technology. Because texting, talking on the phone, typing, and more are all a part of everyday life, they’re habits that can affect just how we move. Texting while hunched over (the most common pose) can cause pains in the neck, typing too long can cause carpal tunnel, and talking on the phone (usually while cradling the phone) might make you lean in an uncomfortable position.

But because these are habits – and usually come with an aspect of fun or multitasking – we rarely realize what or how we’re doing it. And while this might not sound like a big deal, when repeated, bad posture can have some serious consequences. This is especially true for those who are on their phones every single day for hours at a time. Soon side effects will begin to show, whether or not we can identify the culprit.

Rather than suffering from squinting eyes or strained backs, however, a simple fix can be found with ergonomics. (Or, though less likely, abstention.) By reducing the number of hours we spend on the phone each day, future pains or conditions can be eliminated before they have the change to develop into something more severe. 

When at the office, talk to your boss about any struggles or concerns that base from electronics. And while at home, consider more old-fashioned hobbies to replace those that come with a screen. 

Stay tuned for our upcoming post on ergonomically correct tech tips you can follow at home!

Continue Reading

Derriere Exercises to Improve Everyday Stance

Out of all the daily exercises you can do, how many focus strictly on the rear? You know – your backside, your behind, the thing you sit on every day, and the very same body part that help keeps you upright. How often do you exercise this very important section? After all, it is the body’s largest muscle – yet rarely gets the toning attention it needs to perform properly. 

With just a few daily stretches or exercise (or bi-weekly, etc.), you can be well on your way to a better-formed backside. And better formed means stronger, firmer, and offering proper posture even in a relaxed state.

To up your glute’s health, remember the following.

Squat your Way to A More Defined Tush

Also great for the legs, squatting helps work the butt from top to bottom. Perform a few sets of squats with each work out to get the maximum about of rear-focused exercise. 

Lunges Stretch the Rump

Lunging on a regular basis can work to stretch and define the tail into a slick area of definition. Considering stretching – especially in the seat – has been proven to increase blood flow and allow for a stronger resting posture, this is a great option for everyday movement.

Bonus: Both of the above can be performed in the office or in-between TV breaks. Because they’re low-impact, use these stretches to get the blood flowing after sitting for long periods of time.

Stepping to a Stronger Posterior

Calves and backends alike can celebrate with ongoing step-ups. Take the stairs or a few bouts up and down the stairs to create a well-rounded workout routine.

Kickbacks Lead to a Stronger Fanny

Perhaps the most unorthodox of them all, kickbacks are performed by crouching on one’s elbows and knees, then literally kicking the leg back. Add variations and angles to work different glute muscles, or stick to what your body feels comfortable with. No matter your kickback regimen, it can add a great deal of strength and control to your bottom-toning routine. 

Continue Reading

Our Sales are No April Fools

On a day meant for trickery and deceit – hopefully all in good fun – comes a solid announcement. One that wasn’t meant to pull the wool over its audiences’ eyes. Amidst all the false announcements on social media, pretend lottery winnings, or outright practical jokes at the office place comes actual savings to be had from Contour Living. We love a good joke as much as the next guy, but when it comes to offering a good deal, we never mess around!

For a limited time, we’re offering massive savings on the Mattress Genie Bed Wedge. Turn any bed into an adjustable one with this simple addition, which can add height, comfort, and a growing number of sleeping positions all with the push of a few buttons. This product is ideal for anyone wanting to receive a little height on their mattress, whether reading or looking for a cure for acid reflux. The Mattress Genie Bed Wedge has even been improved with better, longer-lasting features. 

To learn more about the updates (and how you can save big bucks), head to the company product page, here.

Contour’s Ongoing Deals

Customers can also receive free shipping when they shop. Whether you’re looking for a new pillow or the perfect gift for a loved one, all products are eligible for free shipping. Simply check out the tag above each item to learn more about your shipping options. 

Finally, head to Contour Living’s clearance page for constant access to our best deals. These products are still designed with our highest of standards in mind – opting for maximum levels of comfort and functionality. With the clearance page, however, you’re simply getting the best deal possible. Check in for deals on pillows, seat cushions, add-on products, and more. 

Ready to get shopping? Check in each week to find your favorite new deal!

Continue Reading