The ad says, “The most comfortable cushion ever”. Then there are several testimonials from people making statements such as they finally found a seat cushion that is comfortable. But what is comfort? Why is a cushion comfortable to one person and not to another?
The true comfort seat cushion will vary from one person to another. Comfort is a personal thing – not everyone will find the same comfort from the same cushion. So let’s look at the factors within our bodies that may point to why one person is comfortable on a cushion and another is not.
We all are built similarly in our bone structure, muscles and flesh. In the buttocks area we all have a pair of bones protruding from our pelvis called the ischial tuberosity’s, or more commonly called the “butt bones”. In this article, we will refer to them as the ITs. Much is dependent on the amount of muscle and flesh that covers these ITs for it typically is the ITs that give us a message after sitting for a while that we are uncomfortable and need to change position.
The ITs are considered as pressure points. Other pressure points within the area of the buttocks are the coccyx, more commonly referred to as the tail bone, and the right and left trochanters. Trochanters are the knobs at the point that the femur (upper leg bone) and the pelvis are connected.
Any of these pressure points can be the predominate reason that one feels uncomfortable. For most people, it is the ITs that determine our comfort level.
Taking into account these pressure points, one would assume that a person seeking comfort will be looking for a cushion that will relieve the pressure from their pressure points while sitting. It makes sense that they would also want that relief from pressure to be extended for as long as possible.
Let us look at the cushion types that might be available, and consider if they will provide for that needed pressure relief.
A foam cushion is the most common cushion available. Any type of foam, including memory foam, will work in the same manner to provide temporary relief for the pressure points. When one sits on a foam cushion they immediately sink into the softness of the foam. Their weight carries them straight downward into the cushion to the point that the foam will allow. Basically, the person is “Hitting Bottom”. When they get off the cushion, the foam returns to its original shape.
Hence, while sitting on the foam cushion, the foam is continuing to give upward pressure against all parts of the buttocks – including the pressure points. Because of that continual upward pressure against the ITs, after a while one is uncomfortable.
Air cushions are not quite as common, but are readily available. The cushioning of an air cushion can be changed by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the cushion. When one sits on an air cushion, their weight sinks downward into the cushion to where the air is compressed as far as it will go. Again, the person is basically “Hitting Bottom”.
The air continues its upward pressure against the buttocks as well as on the pressure points. Because of that continual upward pressure against the ITs, after a while one is uncomfortable.
The scientists at EquaPressure studied this comfort phenomenon with the determination to find a solution on the constant upward pressure against one’s pressure points. The result of their studies resulted in the development of column buckling gel. This gel is incorporated into the EquaGel wheelchair cushions. Here is how the EquaGel cushion works with one’s pressure points.
When one sits on an EquaGel, they are sitting on top of many open cells with thin walls made of a patented gel whose ingredients come from food grade natural materials. The cell walls are designed to support a minimum of weight. When that weight threshold is exceeded, the wall buckles under and passes the support to the surrounding cell walls. This happens instantly until the individual’s weight is evenly distributed across the top of the cushion. In other words, one does not sink vertically into a cushion, until they hit bottom, like on a foam or air cushion.
Because the column walls have buckled under ( and not compressed) from the downward weight, they do not have the ability to cause continuous upward pressure against the pressure points. Hence one can sit on an EquaGel cushion for extended times without feeling any discomfort.
The EquaGel cushions are new kids on the block and are not yet that well known. However, their comfort performance cannot be surpassed by any other type of cushion.