Stay informed with free updates
get a massage
Some people enjoy getting massages and can’t wait to be massaged hard by a stranger. Some people, like me, hold on to their nerves, silently cursing their inhibitions. So the touch-free massage provided by Alvica reLounge is my savior. A great medical grade (US FDA certified) kit that provides heat therapy, EMS (muscle stimulation), and TENS (electrical nerve stimulation) to our overworked poor hips. Already deployed in spas, private clinics and hotels (including Dubai’s Burj Al Arab), reLounge is now available for trial by appointment at the Royal Exchange in the City of London and is now being rolled out in the UK. . The aim is to reduce the incidence of low back pain and its various ramifications, both for individuals and society.
Arvika Relounge
Price: £35,000
Click: alvica.uk
Your job is primarily to throw on a kimono or towel, spritz your back with water, and lie down on this powerful piece of furniture, all oak, leather, and gentle LED lighting. Its shape is designed to keep your legs elevated (to promote blood circulation) and your entire back in contact with the 24-segment mat in the center of the lounger. This mat is the part that works with the touch screen controls to deliver the electrical magic. panel. First, a scan evaluates how the muscles in your upper and lower back contract when stimulated, identifying strengths and weaknesses. That scan (color-coded red, yellow, and green) is displayed, stored on your device, and used to recommend customized treatments.
A total of 55 such treatments are available, categorized into dynamic massage, muscle therapy (more like gym-style training), and pain therapy (see list for specific symptoms). Once you start working, you don’t have to fiddle with the screen. An external remote control allows you to adjust the intensity up or down, or stop it if needed. But you don’t want to quit. The unique pattern of pressure moving up and down your back is completely therapeutic, resulting in a quiet, noise-free experience that leaves you feeling endorphin-filled and satisfied in the aftermath.
good sport
Garmin Lily 2 Active Smartwatch
Price: £299
Click: garmin.com
Garmin has found the sweet spot between form and function with this sports-focused smartwatch. It’s feature-packed (including GPS tracking, which was absent on previous models), but without the bulk that characterizes many devices in this class. The touch screen is a bland monochrome, and the interface (with two side buttons) is easy to navigate, but it pulls a lot of data into the Garmin Connect app. In addition to standard 24/7 health measurements (heart rate, steps, and heart rate fluctuations during sleep), you can track specific metrics for a wide range of activities, from yoga to skiing to golf. Phone notifications are reliably visible (unless you turn them off like I am), and thanks to the NFC chip you can make contactless payments without having to reach for your phone.
sleep soundly
Ozro Sleep Buzz
Price: £299
Click: ozlosleep.com
The battle to create the perfect sleep pad is only heating up. Ozlo, which purchased Bose’s Sleepbud trademark, has launched its first product. This is a dream unit for side sleepers. They’re comfortable to wear, stable, and sound like any earphone, whether you’re sleepy or not. Unusually, a lot of the clever work is done by the case, which forms an audio bridge between the earbuds and the phone and also monitors sound, light and temperature. Fall asleep while listening to your favorite music. When biosensors in the buds detect that you nod off, the soundtrack automatically switches to a soothing, consistent masking sound designed to help you continue to sleep peacefully. The impending firmware update is expected to provide a set of tools designed to track and address noise interruptions.
And breathe…
© Poppy Jakes Photography
Power Breeze Plus and Smart Adapter
Price: £334.99
Click: powerbreathe.com
Of all the muscles we think of exercising, the muscles that help supply air to the lungs (the diaphragm and intercostal muscles) rank fairly low. However, IMT (Inspiratory Muscle Training) not only improves the stamina of athletes, wind players, and singers, but also helps improve a variety of health conditions. Powerbreathe Plus is a handheld IMT device with adjustable deep inhale resistance. One training session consists of 30 breaths and takes about 3 minutes for me. An optional smart adapter between the mouthpiece and the device sends data to a smartphone app to accurately track your aerobic capacity development. As a disillusioned bassoonist, I look forward to blowing away the opening solo of “The Rite of Spring.”
New treatments to consider…
Kineon Move+ Pro Red Light Therapy Device
Price: £480
Click: kineon.io
Red light therapy (photobiomodulation) has been strongly advocated, especially for its ability to treat pain and promote muscle healing. Photobiomodulation has been studied as a clinical tool since the 1960s and is NICE recommended for use in patients with damage to the lining of the mouth caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Regarding the effectiveness of home photobiomodulation devices, a recent research review reported “mostly positive results,” but added that “a final assessment of their effectiveness will require additional randomized controlled studies.” “is necessary.” The Move+ Pro consists of three small, chunky modules, each containing a combination of an infrared laser and a deep red LED. Once these modules are charged (via the USB-C cable to the charging case), they fit neatly into a harness and can be configured appropriately to wrap around your shoulders, knees, ankles, etc. The modules are linked, so one of the power buttons is required. Turn on all three. Press and hold to select a treatment time of 5, 10, or 15 minutes. I (thankfully) have not had any pain with the treatment, so I can’t personally vouch for its effectiveness, but the quality of design and construction cannot be faulted.
Recommended
