Seating & Positioning
Seat cushions and back supports are essential components of all wheelchairs. They help to ensure that the user is as comfortable as possible and, at the same time, provide postural support and reduce the risk of skin breakdown. We always work with a client’s occupational therapist to determine the type of seating and position systems that are most clinically appropriate for the user.
Cushions
A wheelchair cushion must be soft enough to contour to the shape of the user and provide pressure reduction, but firm enough to provide some positioning and prevent the user from sitting directly on the seat sling – also known as “bottoming out.” Wheelchair cushions can be constructed of foam, gels, entrapped air or liquids or any combination of these.
Back Supports
Back supports range from simple fabric material provided by the wheelchair manufacturer, to highly contoured custom systems designed to provide maximal contact with the user’s body.