FAQs

Why is the Relaxing Spine Tube the best spinal aid?

This product considers your whole spine, not just a single area and not only the physical aspects, but also the various types of nerves running through the spine.

The Relaxing Spine Tube works to optimise the whole spine from top to bottom, promoting better alignment of the spine so it is “rebooted” helping you physically, emotionally and mentally.

Once you’ve been on your Tube for 5 to 10 minutes, the pain, tension and postural effects have faded away, just by lying and breathing. 


When do you use the Relaxing Spine Tube?

NOTE - ALWAYS USE THE TUBE BY LYING ON YOUR BACK, WITH YOUR KNEES BENT AND YOUR ARMS BESIDES YOU. SEE USER GUIDE.

There are several times a day when you may find your Relaxing Spine Tube to be beneficial. These include:

- For 10 minutes at the end of the day, before bed, to prepare for sleep. (We would recommend doing this daily, if possible.)
- After a stressful occasion, for 5 to 10 minutes. 
- Using the Tube for 5 to 10 minutes after episodes of holding your body in one position, or repetitive or similar movements, such as sitting at a desk, gardening, cleaning the car or housework. 
- Preparing for an important event, like a meeting or phone call. 
- To assist in helping early morning body stiffness, when you can use the Tube for 5 to 10 mins with a folded towel over the Tube, so it’s less hard on the back. 


Why do you have to keep your knees bent all the time?

With your knees bent it provides a better anatomical contact between all of your spine and the tube, so getting more out of the experience. 


Why do you keep your chin tucked in?

With your chin in it allows a better contact with the tube so allowing better elongation of the spine. It allows the sinuses to drain better as well. 


Why is it a good idea to do breathing exercises when on the tube?

Your nervous system is divided into two parts. Those nerves which are part of the fear, flight and fight system (sympathetic nervous system) and the relaxation system (parasympathetic system). With the contact between your spine and the tube there is an anatomical optimisation to promote an ease within the fear, flight and fight system and a promotion of the relaxatory system. As your diaphragm (the main muscle of breathing) has a nerve supply from the relaxation system, it follows that engagement of that muscle whilst on the spine tube will further ease. 


Is it ok to spend longer on the tube than 10 minutes, or to repeat the exercise more, or less, than the three times a day?

Research shows that 7 minutes is the optimum for most people and 3 repeats a day seems to work the best, but variations on this is acceptable. The main thing is to do the exercise daily. 

Note – Although there is no maximum time you can spend on the Relaxing Spine Tube, much more than 20 minutes of use in one go, whilst not doing any harm, doesn’t make a significant improvement. 


Can exercises be done on the Relaxing Spine Tube?

Yes!

Exercise 1 - Lie on your Tube in the usual fashion, slowly let your knees out and gently press the sole of your feet together like a frog. Let your arms out, so your elbows are straight, then slowly move your arms up to your head, keeping good contact with the floor under your arms, then return them to your sides. Repeat this 12 times.
 
Exercise 2 (for core stability) - With your knees still bent, bring your feet and knees together and your arms folded on your chest. Gently keep yourself from wobbling to either side. This is gently encouraging your core muscles to work.

Important - Don’t forget to keep your breathing through your nose to your tummy, slowly (three seconds in, four seconds out and hold for a second). Encourage a reduction of air in and out to a comfortable level.

Are there exercises that work well with the use of the Relaxing Spine Tube?

One exercise I give a lot of my patients (I call it the Morcombe and Wise exercise for obvious reasons to those old enough to remember the comedians) can be seen here on my YouTube channel - John Brewster Osteopath. 

Whilst standing up, take your arms out to 90 degrees of your shoulders and at the elbow have one forearm pointing up and the other down. Then imagine you have a pencil on your spine at the bottom of your shoulder blades. Take your forearms backwards so you try and pinch the shoulder blades 3 times. This means you stretch your chest and squeeze your shoulder blades. Then change your forearms so the one that was pointing down points up and vice versa. Then squeeze the shoulder blades again three times and repeat. Do this for a minute and it should feel nice. 

A good time to do this exercise is during the end of a shower, so you enjoy the hot water for an extra minute. Or whilst you are waiting for the kettle to boil, or your tea to brew. 

If this exercise feels easy, then you can even try and rotate your head to look to one side for one cycle and then turn to the other side for the next cycle. 


Is there any reason that I should not use the Relaxing Spine Tube?

Yes, if your spine has been fractured, or suspected of being fractured. The reason for this is that once your spine has mended as best as possible from the trauma, it will have settled into a certain set place. The spine is then often best left in that situation and outside influences, such as the Relaxing Spine Tube, may well not improve this.


What do I do if it is hard for the back of my head to settle onto the Relaxing Spine Tube?

Try a book (or pillow) of the appropriate thickness to make up for the gap and slowly, as you use the Tube more frequently, get a less thick book until you can settle your head on the Tube. 


What do I do if the Relaxing Spine Tube feels too strong or unpleasant?

Try folding a towel (or even two) over the length of the Tube so it is not prominent. If that is still too strong to start with, try it on your bed so it sinks into the mattress. Then progress to towel use and then without the use of towels.