Innovative Wellness Technology

Technology is always moving forward, at an accelerated pace. What are some new tools, products, devices, and tech that can help you train, recover, and generally feel better physically? Below are some that I have tried, some that I want to try, and some that just seem interesting to me!

Improving posture is one easy way to feel better while working or relaxing. For some people, working at a computer challenges the ability maintain a health posture. For others, a condition or physical diagnosis makes maintaining posture difficult (such as connective tissue disorder or hypermobility). 

The first product is BackEmbrace. This is a support garment that is flexible like an elastic strap. It helps you maintain posture, preventing anteriorly rolled shoulders, and a slumped upper back. You can wear this over your work clothes or under, depending on your preference and situation. 

The next product is Upright GO. This is a small device that sits on your thoracic spine and vibrates to remind you to sit up straight. Think of this as that family member or family friend who often acts as the posture police. This little reminder will help you fix posture as you focus on more important tasks at your desk.

Alignmed is a product that offers wearable posture tech. The fabric has bands and tension infused into the design to support improved posture and to proprioceptively remind you to shift or correct how you are sitting. 

The Giraffe App is a mobile posture tracking app using AI and front-camera analysis. Think of this as eyes on the prize. This app notices when posture shifts using the camera tracking and reminds you to sit up tall. Less of a physical cue as an auditory or visual, but still helps you improve how you are sitting.

If you are sitting all day, you may be interested in getting a chair with a lot of support. What if you went the opposite direction and got a chair with movability in all directions? This would be the Pettibon Chair (wobble chair). This chair might not be best for all types of back issues, but it does offer a lot of freedom and forces you to engage your core a bit more while sitting.

Next, lets move to products and technology to help you train. I remember the first time I wore proper athletic wear (lulu) while working out. I was astonished at how just a more tech fabric of my shirt made me feel better, less hot, less sweaty during my workout. I feel like I worked out longer because the overheating caused by my typical t shirts was not present with my new shirt. Tech helps you work harder, smarter, and feel better while exercising.

The first tech is Naboso insoles. These insoles are a bit different from drugstore insoles as they stimulate foot sensory nerves, inputting more information to improve feedback and performance. These are particularly great with minimalist footwear.

A good mat can make all the difference. If you are doing crunches on a yoga mat, you understand what I mean. Often bony prominences can feel tender to sit on or put a lot of pressure through. Having a high quality mat like teh Eco-Lux Mat truly makes your workout a more enjoyable experience.

An app like Aaptiv is like having a personal trainer in your ear. These give both strength and HIIT workouts with live audio throughout your workout with cues, tips, and instructions. If you find having a workout buddy or trainer helpful, this cheaper, digital option may be for you.

Wearable motion sensors are an upcoming technology that helps with technique and form. These can be sport specific to help with sports baseball (Blast Motion), ballet (Cue by MotionMetrics), weight lifting (Perch), golf (PIQ), and running (Runscribe). These are revolutionizing sport-specific training.

Chango Paws are another tool that is a new take on a traditional product. They have taken the consent of a Bosu or half ball and made it so it attaches to your feet like individual half balls. These are small, portable devices you can add to your existing workout shoes.

Finally, let’s move into tools used for recovery. Technology for post-workout will typically involve circulation, cellular recovery, and lymphatic drainage. Here are a few items that incorporate more tech into helping you rest and recover after activity.

Normatec-style compression boots use dynamic air compression to compress and release various areas of your legs to enhance circulation and improve recovery. 

Red light therapy has become more popular over the past decade. This technology is piggybacking on the research provided by laser therapy. Although I’m not sure if the research has concluded that this type of light generates the same response as a class IIIb or IV laser (which you can only purchase if you have a healthcare license of some kind). 

Braces can also help you recover, especially if you have joint issues. One of my favourite brace brands is Bauerfeind. They offer a range of different braces for each area of the body to provide different results aimed at different issues. These braces range from fabric to plastic, and a bunch that are mixed. Wearing a brace during activity can also help you push your limits while recovering.

Massagers have come a long way from the classic Thumper to the modern Theragun. If percussive therapy is not your thing, try a massage roller. Different than your typical foam roller, a clamp style roller like Roll Recovery R8 wraps around your thigh with rollers to knead muscles and improve circulation.

Cupping is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This concept has been around for centuries, but there is a new spin incorporating technology. Brands like Theracup combine traditional cupping with added heat and/or vibration. By adding features, it takes traditional cupping to a new level.

Wearable, portable TENS are also a newer technology craze. Traditionally, a TENS unit has a main machine which attaches to wires that are connected to transcutaneous sticky pads. The new spin on this technology is a wireless version which makes wearing it out and about as you do other things, much more comfortable.

Rotating foot platforms have recently become more popular. These boards offer stability to the hind foot with a rotating platform on the forefoot. This is a spin on the traditional wobble board forces the user to maintain control between supination and pronation while weight bearing. 

From posture to training to recovery, there are always new tools and technology coming out on the market. Some are better than others, so make sure you read reviews, check out videos, and examine return policies. Technology can be scary or foreign, so take the leap and try something new. You never know what new device will feel like it is made just for you!