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The Iowa Spine Research Center of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Iowa and patent co-applicant Chase Ergonomics, Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico have collaborated on the development of the ACCUPRESSURE™ Back Support. (see below)

The breakthrough discovery used in creating this support is a new understanding of how the human body reacts to sudden, unexpected events (accidents) which result in applied loading (stress) to the lumbar spine. One study has shown that, during such events, the strong back muscles can over-contract by as much as 70%.

This over-contraction is often the hazard that triggers back injury. The ACCUPRESSURE Back Support reduces this excess exertion by up to 46%. In addition, the Iowa studies documented less fatigue in subjects wearing the Accupressure back support.

Speaking for the University, Senior Scientist David G. Wilder, PhD, said "We are excited about the opportunity to finally understand some of the aspects of the way these devices (elastic back supports) work and how they can benefit the spine of the wearer."

• Proprietary acupressure-effect pad made with composite lightweight materials works biomechanically to reduce the overreaction of the back muscles during an unexpected loading event
• High-density woven elastic cinch straps give consistent superior performance over long-term use
• Triple Lock cinch strap feature
• Variable number of spring steel orthopedic boning stays according to support size
• Quick-release shoulder straps provide flexibility and safety for wearers

Accupressure Back Support Sizes

Please note: these sizes refer to the Accupressure Back Support ONLY, which is sized to ensure proper placement of the acupressure pads over the hips.

Measure around hips just below navel.

Iowa Spine Research Center, Chase Ergonomics develop back support

The Iowa Spine Research Center (ISRC) at the University of Iowa and Chase Ergonomics Inc. of Albuquerque, N.M. have collaborated on the development of a new back support designed to reduce the risk of back injury.

The new ergonomic device, called the Accupressure™ Back Support, is designed to significantly reduce the over-contraction of back muscles during surprise events. The ISRC and Chase were co-applicants for the patent application held by the University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) and Chase. Chase has subsequently exclusively licensed UIRF's patent rights.

David G. Wilder, associate professor of biomedical engineering, occupational and environmental health, and a senior research scientist at the ISRC, began research on the back support in 1996. It was developed after Wilder and ISRC researchers found that risk of injury to back muscles caused by sudden, unexpected events could be reduced when the external pressure of a back support is applied to regions below the navel, around the lower back and pelvis.

The back support, worn with quick-release shoulder straps, features acupressure-effect pads, which direct and focus the support's pressure when the belt is tightened.

Projects like the development of the Accupressure™ Back Support, undertaken with the support of industrial collaborators, play an important role at the ISRC and across the UI campus. Scientists at the center are given the opportunity to apply the results of hard science to the design and development of spinal devices or to improving working environments, and UI students are afforded exposure to "real world" projects.

The controversies about the effectiveness of back supports convinced Chase executives that anecdotal evidence had to be replaced by systematic, impartial scientific research. Companies tracking back injury reports were noting reductions of injuries when employees wore back supports consistently and correctly, but didn't know why.

"We weren't certain exactly what the biomechanical effect of the support was, and we needed that information," explains company CEO David Chase. "The University of Iowa's Spine Research Center had the people and environment to design and conduct the research we needed."