Working from home can be a huge life-saver. Not many of us have the privilege to be able to stay in our pajamas all day with unlimited access to our refrigerators whenever we want. However, there can also be downsides to working from home. For example, paying zero attention to your posture can lead to the inevitable backache.
With no one watching and no co-workers to look busy with, you can get in the habit of sitting in any position you feel like while you work all day. I’m guilty of this myself. Currently, I work from home.
I have a nice office setup in my home and I usually spend most of my day at my desk. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I definitely do not maintain perfect typing posture while I’m working. My back is usually slightly hunched. My feet are rarely flat on the floor, sometimes even crossed (gasp!) under me in my chair.
One day in the middle of a video meeting, I dropped the pen I was doodling with. It happens all too often, trust me. When I bent down to pick it up, I suddenly felt this sharp pain in the lower part of my back. What’s worse is that when I tried to sit back up, I couldn’t do it. It came out of nowhere and it scared me. I thought I really messed something up, all from just bending over.
I literally had to call my boss to take the remainder of the day off. I then spent the rest of the day lying on the couch researching back muscle pain on my phone and what I could do to help it. You know how that goes.
After reading through every worst-case scenario on the internet, I started comparing relief options. I’ve always been one to avoid rushing to a doctor or chiropractor in favor of a more natural approach, and this was no different. My searches eventually brought me to roller wheels, specifically the Chirp Wheel+ 3-Pack deal. I was intrigued by the wheel and the things people were saying online about it, so I did a little more research on it.
In this Chirp Wheel review, I will explain if this yoga wheel look-alike device really relieves my back pain and is it worth it to buy one right now.
What Is the Chirp Wheel+?
It turns out that the Chirp Wheel+ is from a company called Chirp (formerly called Plexus). The company got its start from a Kickstarter campaign. They’re a relatively small company, founded in Utah. They created the Chirp Wheel back in 2015, then they began to expand their invention in July of 2018 and created the Kickstarter.
They raised over $1.5 million and accumulated almost 18,000 backers (no pun intended), which isn’t bad at all. They have more than 3,000 health professionals that vouch for them, too. This includes chiropractors, orthopedists, and physical therapists who not only use the Chirp Wheel and their other products but also recommend them to their patients.
The core of the injection-molded wheel is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is a strong and sturdy plastic also referred to as ABS. The ABS mold is covered with a foam made from ethylene-vinyl acetate, or AVS. This is the same kind of foam that they use in bike helmets and boxing gloves.
Looking at this roller, it kind of reminded me of a similar wheel I used back when I did yoga in my early twenties (just a little while ago). This one, however, seemed to be a lot sturdier and more padded. I had to give it a try and I’m glad I did.
Who Can Use the Chirp Wheel+?
I would have to say anyone that has the ability to get up and down safely without assistance that is suffering from any type of back issues like bulging discs or pinched nerve, neck, or shoulder pain could benefit from using the Chirp Wheel+ 3-Pack. Its max supported weight is pretty high at 500 pounds, so most people can use the wheel if they’re mobile.
Frequent travelers carrying heavy backpacks or luggage typically have sore muscles after a trip. Believe me, I often traveled too so I know how uncomfortable your body feels. If you are in this group like me, the Chirp Wheel can get immediate back-popping, knot kneading relief for you.
If you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep as long as desired, you may consider getting this product as it gives you a deep tissue massage that relaxes your tight muscles and helps you sleep better.
And do you want to restore your spine natural curvature, which results in improved posture and balance?
In my situation, I pulled a muscle tissue in my lower back that lasted for weeks and it helped alleviate the pain the same day I got it. My husband also used it to help with some tension he had between his shoulders, and that was a welcome bonus.
Now for fellow work-from-homers, I would seriously consider it a must-have without hesitation. It’s especially true these days when the hours spent sitting at our desks are doubling. The Chirp Wheel+ is the kind of product you can use at any time it’s convenient for you. As I found out the hard way, you never know when back pain will strike, be it a sharp pain or a dull ache that creeps in from spending endless hours hunched over a computer desk. Chances are that working from home at a desk, it will happen eventually.
What Makes Chirp Wheel+ the Best Back Pain Relief Solution?
There were a few factors that made this the ideal back pain solution for me. The first thing that drew me to the Chirp Wheel was its simplicity. Sometimes, there’s just no need to reinvent the wheel. It’s a sturdy plastic wheel covered with a certain set of foams. Of course, it has a specific curvature modeled after your back that has been proven to work. The design plus the easy exercises that you can do with it is what equals back pain relief. Simple.
It’s also a patented design that has been approved by the FDA as a medical device, so while there may be other wheels out there that look like this one, they just won’t be anywhere near as effective at eliminating your backaches. Back pain relief is what the Chirp Wheel+ does, period.
I did look into visiting a chiropractor after I pulled that muscle in my back while I was waiting for the Chirp Wheels to get delivered, just to see how much that would cost. I was put off when I saw that consultations were running anywhere from $200 to $500.
That was just to look at the problem, and I can tell you looking at it wasn’t going to fix anything! Getting the Chirp Wheel+ 3 Wheel Pack cost me significantly less than that and helped my back feel better in less than 24 hours.
Which Size Chirp Wheel+ Is Best for You?
When I bought them online, I decided on the Chirp Wheel+ 3 Wheel Pack which comes in three different sizes. I wasn’t sure which one was going to be best for me, so I thought if I had all three sizes I could test them all. My husband also gets the occasional ache here and there, too, so he could use them as well.
While my back was improving slightly since the incident of me picking up my pen, I still wasn’t even close to 100%. So, I ordered the wheels and we got them in less than a week. The 3-pack included a 6-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch roller. That gave me everything necessary to help with pain in my back, shoulders, and even my neck.
I usually start from the biggest to the smallest wheels daily now and my back pain is all but gone. The 6-inch wheel is great for a deep-tissue type massage when you want to hit that certain spot on your back to help with more localized pain or tension. The 12-inch, I use more consistently for an all-around relief that’s gentle on my back.
On many occasions, I use the 6-inch wheel for my neck and shoulders. It seems to be helping with the constant headaches I get every now and then. I initially thought my headaches were from the glare of my computer, but I found out that headaches can be caused by the tension in the neck and shoulder muscles. I definitely attribute some of the alleviations to tension relief from the smaller wheel.
If you can afford the 3-Wheel Pack, you should definitely go for that one as it’s the best deal by far. However, if you can only go for one, definitely go with the medium size wheel. The 10-inch wheel is the most versatile and most suitable for first-time users as it can help with pain in more than just one area. The 12-inch one is also the best option if you’re married since you’ll both be able to use it.
Now for those that like to travel frequently, the 6-inch wheel is an absolute must. Trust me, I flew from New York to California, and those 6 hours didn’t seem like much, but that plane ride wreaked havoc on my back. I was so lucky that my husband had the idea that I should throw that into my carry-on. It was truly a life (and trip) saver.
How to Use the Chirp Wheel
Using the wheel was the easiest part. It just takes a little balance. The purpose of the wheel is for you to lay on it and slowly roll it along your spine so it can stretch out the individual back muscles as you cross them.
Here’s a sum-up of what’s involved:
– First, you simply stand the wheel upright on the floor and sit down in front of it with your back against the track of the wheel.
– Then, just align your spine up with the canal.
– Now, lean back on the wheel and push back until the wheel is under hips. Gradually roll the wheel down your shoulder blades and spine.
For a neck stretch, here are the steps:
– Lay back on the 6-inch wheel.
– Align your neck’s vertebrae with the spinal canal.
– Slowly lean your head from side to side while applying light pressure.
– Repeat this for three to five minutes or until neck muscle tightness and pain is relieved.
Bonus stretch: Posture Corrector
– Use 6-inch wheel while sitting on a chair with back support.
– Place the wheel on your lower back.
– Line your spine with the track
– Sit back as usual
The best part is you get to decide just how much or how little pressure you want to apply, just be careful not to fall off the track. Yes, using the Chirp Wheel+ is that simple.
Chirp Wheel+ vs. Foam Rollers and Others
I know what you’re thinking: “I can just get one of those foam roller things or a yoga ball that’d be cheaper and work just as well!” Wrong. Yes, they might cost a little less (if they don’t cause more of a problem that requires medical attention), but a foam roller will not be able to pinpoint your pain, let alone alleviate it completely.
In comparison, the Chirp Wheel plus comes with a patent-pending Spinal Canal™ and Compression Sensitive™ padding to provide comfort and fast tension relief. What foam rollers like the popular TriggerPoint GRID 2.0 Foam Roller do better is the versatility. They can typically target more body parts like your quads and arms.
And a yoga ball? That’s probably the worst thing to use for upper back pain as they’re unstable and provide little to no support for an aching back. They’re just not made for back pain relief. The Chirp Wheel+ is made for deep tissue massage, with no unrelated purposes other than making your back feel great.
Does the Chirp Wheel Work?
I got my Chirp Wheels a few months ago and I have since added a new daily 15-minute workout routine to keep the kinks out of my back. When I’m not using them, I keep the two larger wheels stacked neatly in my bedroom. The 6” wheel, I keep right on my desk to use when I’m working and start to get one of my notorious headaches.
So, does it work? I’d have to say yes. I’ve seen and experienced the Chirp Wheel+ personally now and there’s honestly no looking back for me. If you’re experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain and looking for something to help provide real relief, the Chirp Wheel+ 3-Pack is the way to go.
A big plus, and one of the big things that really convinced me to buy it, was the company standing behind their product with their 100% Happy Body Guarantee. I knew that if my pain didn’t improve with the roller wheels, I could return it for a full refund with no questions asked.
You don’t have to take just my word for it. They have literally thousands of positive customer reviews you can see for yourself online, have backing from thousands of chiropractors and physical therapists, and were approved by the FDA as a medical device.
To go a step further, Chirp even offers a wide array of helpful tips, live demonstrations, e-courses, e-books, and workouts that you can try out for yourself.
Special Recommendations to Keep in Mind
One other thing to watch out for is the online specials they occasionally offer. When I bought my Chirp Wheel+ 3 Wheel Pack they didn’t even have any special deal going on. I did get free shipping since my order was over $99, but I paid full price (still worth every penny).
Recently, I checked out Chirp’s site (a few times, actually, because I’m early-holiday shopping for my mom and sister. Shhh!), and each time I saw a new promotion or discount code. So, make sure to bookmark the Chirp Wheel+ page when you check it out for the first time. You might stumble across a 10% off deal or a freebie like a free posture corrector, a bigger and better bundle deal, or an E-book.
Also, don’t forget about your friends and family. With the holidays right around the corner, now is the best time to secure a gift for them. Nothing says “I care about you” more than a gift that will improve their health and get rid of annoying aches and pains. That reminds me, I’m going to buy my husband his own 3-Pack so he’ll quit hogging my wheels.
Pro Tip: As a side note for those that are in the military and/or medical field: I know your backs must hurt, so I wanted to make sure to mention that they even offer an extra discount if you follow up with the support team prior to purchasing.
Overall, it’s a good idea to stock up on these Chirp Wheels. You really never know when you will encounter a sharp back pain or pull something, so it’s a good idea to have these wheels at the ready.
And these easily beats the cost of a trip to the Chiropractor.
We’re not getting any younger after all.
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