6 replies to this topic

[krshirk]

Hello,
im a c5-6 quad interested in how others sit in there chairs. i have had a pain problem that im still trying to diagnose after 2 years. i may sit too slouched which puts pressure on my tailbone, but i feel i have more balnce and can push better when sitting that way! ive tried angling my backrest forward slightly, only to have more balance problems when pushging hard (falling forward) and also cramping up and spasing in my lowerback and legs more than normal which stops me in my tracks.

any other quads out there that coud fill me in on things like:

how much dump is in your chair?

what kind of backrest you use?

also, where is your center of gravity in relation to the floor?

i need to lock my arms out to do my pressure reliefs which forces me to sit high over my wheels. if i were to sit lower in my chair, bringing the wheels closer to my armpits, i know i could push better but i would no longer be able to lock my arms out. so what other methods could i use to pressure relief? remember, i have no tricepts!

any helpers out there?

thanks,

Keith

[animadversor]

Hi Keith

C 5/6 here too. I have 3.5 inches of dump and a standard slung back. I don't have triceps either and can't lock both arms out with that much dump...but I can do one side at a time by resting my elbow on one wheel n lifting the other side, then switching to do the other.

the dump is great for balance and pushing, but a pain in the arse for sliding/moving forward in the chair

[krshirk]

animadversor, on Nov 25 2009, 09:45 AM, said:

Hi Keith

C 5/6 here too. I have 3.5 inches of dump and a standard slung back. I don't have triceps either and can't lock both arms out with that much dump...but I can do one side at a time by resting my elbow on one wheel n lifting the other side, then switching to do the other.

the dump is great for balance and pushing, but a pain in the arse for sliding/moving forward in the chair

thanks for the response animadversor

do you have your backrest perpinducular to the floor or 90degrees to your frame? im just trying to find out if i sit to slumped on my tailbone. i cant figure out what my pain is from.

do you transfer yourself? if so, would you be willing to video tape it for me?

[animadversor]

krshirk, on Nov 25 2009, 09:19 AM, said:

animadversor, on Nov 25 2009, 09:45 AM, said:

Hi Keith

C 5/6 here too. I have 3.5 inches of dump and a standard slung back. I don't have triceps either and can't lock both arms out with that much dump...but I can do one side at a time by resting my elbow on one wheel n lifting the other side, then switching to do the other.

the dump is great for balance and pushing, but a pain in the arse for sliding/moving forward in the chair

thanks for the response animadversor

do you have your backrest perpinducular to the floor or 90degrees to your frame? im just trying to find out if i sit to slumped on my tailbone. i cant figure out what my pain is from.

do you transfer yourself? if so, would you be willing to video tape it for me?

near perpendicular to the floor-leaning slightly back a degree or 2. the upholstery is slung out a bit further-maybe 1.5 inches-1 inch.

[COOL Mobility]

Hi, I'm a Complete C5-C6 too for last 32 years and I have 2.5" of dump in the seat with backrest at right angle to seat plane, both sling.

I, like you, lose ballance if sitting straight upright and get lower back pain (even thopugh I can't really feel down there!!) if I slump. I slump more the less dum I have but find too much is hard to transfer from. I get in and out of my SAAB independently but have had both arms with tendon transfers - Deltoid/Tricept transfer - which gives some tricept function. However, not enough to lift so I lock off with one hand on seat, one on wheel as I'm low beteen wheels for pushing efficiency.

We all have to find our own methods - so shift my bum forward for transfers, I hook both hands behind bum and lean back while pushing on frame back with elbows. I also shift one side at a time by leaning back with twist against back of wheel. I also lift one side like animadversor onelbow and hand on tyres.

The more I squirm twist and lean the less I cramp up then spasm and the less back ache. Get dump then move, move, move is my advice.

Edited by COOL Mobility, 27 February 2010 - 12:19 PM.

[krshirk]

COOL Mobility, on Feb 27 2010, 08:19 AM, said:

Hi, I'm a Complete C5-C6 too for last 32 years and I have 2.5" of dump in the seat with backrest at right angle to seat plane, both sling.

I, like you, lose ballance if sitting straight upright and get lower back pain (even thopugh I can't really feel down there!!) if I slump. I slump more the less dum I have but find too much is hard to transfer from. I get in and out of my SAAB independently but have had both arms with tendon transfers - Deltoid/Tricept transfer - which gives some tricept function. However, not enough to lift so I lock off with one hand on seat, one on wheel as I'm low beteen wheels for pushing efficiency.

We all have to find our own methods - so shift my bum forward for transfers, I hook both hands behind bum and lean back while pushing on frame back with elbows. I also shift one side at a time by leaning back with twist against back of wheel. I also lift one side like animadversor onelbow and hand on tyres.

The more I squirm twist and lean the less I cramp up then spasm and the less back ache. Get dump then move, move, move is my advice.

Hi! thanks for your input. i was wondering how you do your weight shifts with alot of dump? currently i lock my arms out on my wheels but this doesn't allow me to have my wheels too high for a good push. With all of the dump in your chair, do you think you have increased spasms or less? Do you take any spasm medication? I currently take 30 mg of baclofen four times a day but am scheduled to do a trial for a baclofen pump. Would you be willing to take a picture of you showing how you do your weight shift?