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Electric Lift Chairs and Recliners with Leg Elevation for Recovery

 In this blog we aim to outline the conditions that may benefit from elevated feet and the best way to achieve improved circulation in the home environment. One way would be the use of an electric recliner chair with leg elevation which could be a long term solution for improved lifestyle and comfort at the touch of a button. We’ll then introduce you to the leading Australian company specialising in electric lift chairs and recliners with leg elevation..

Elevation of the feet is a standard treatment for several conditions of the legs and feet. These conditions can vary from diabetic, vascular and neuropathic foot ulcers to varicose veins, sprains, fractures and swelling of the feet following foot drop, heart, kidney or liver disease. To understand how foot elevation helps in all these conditions, we will have to know about the working of our heart.

Under high pressure, our heart pumps blood through a network of pipes called large arteries, small arteries and then tiny capillaries. By this time the pressure generated by the heart’s pumping action is decreased. After oxygen from the blood is drawn into the tissues tissues, the deoxygenated blood flows back to the lungs for more oxygen through another set of pipes called the veins. The movement of blood through the veins is aided by the pumping action of our muscles. In addition, the veins have one-way valves which prevent the blood from flowing backwards. A recliner with leg elevation will assist in promoting accessible leg elevation in the home environment.

Varicose veins is a condition in which the valves in the veins are collapsed due to the tremendous pressure of the blood which accumulates in the legs. This condition develops over a period of several years with activities involving long hours of standing, for example Jane’s job. Water from the pooled blood can seep in to the tissues of the legs causing swelling and thinning of the skin with eventual breakdown of the skin and finally ulcers, called “stasis ulcers”.

In diabetes and atherosclerotic arterial diseases, there is a narrowing of the arteries with decreased amount of oxygenated blood reaching the tissues. As a result, wounds fail to heal. In the case of sprains and fractures of the ankle, inflammatory swelling due to the injury occurs. This too can improve with the elevation of the affected foot above foot height.

Sedentary lifestyles or poor mobility which incurs sitting for long hours or even long hours of sitting on an airplane can cause swelling of the feet as blood from the legs cannot travel to the heart fast enough due to lack of muscle activity.

How much should you elevate your legs?

Ideally, one should elevate the legs above hip height. This helps blood from the legs to flow back to the lungs and heart with assistance from gravity. For the leg elevation treatment to be effective, you’ll need to raise your legs above your hips, a recliner chair with leg elevation above hip height will assist with this . Lift them three or four times a day, and try to keep them elevated for about 10 to 15 minutes or while seated for extended periods of time.

How can we achieve this position?

One of the ways is to use a recliner chair with leg elevation, which allows you to fully recline and elevate the feet above hip height. This is better than lying on a couch with pillows under your feet or better than sitting with your feet on a footstool. Mind you, not all recliners help you to assume this position with leg elevation above hip height. Most recliner foot rests require you to place the weight of your legs on your calves. This prevents any muscle activity and does not help with blood circulation. And not all reclines lift the feet above hip height.

The Australian made Ambassador electric lift and recliner chair with leg elevation was designed to address these problems. A simple touch of the button helps to recline and elevate your feet in more than 20 plus positions. Often swollen legs and ankles makes it difficult to get in or out of a chair. The electric lift chair feature can help you move easily from a standing to a sitting position and vice versa without any discomfort whatsoever. The lift chair also helps to unfold the hips, while the foot rest supports the entire leg. The elevated footrest keeps your feet comfortably elevated above the level of your hips, enabling flood to flow unobstructed back from the swollen feet. The Ambassador recliners are available with 7 business days, as a standard model or can be custom made to ensure that the recliner is neither too small nor too large for your frame and that your feet do not hang off the footrest. Ambassador recliners also come with a choice of 4 standard fabrics or the option of custom fabric and pressure care management.