The Original McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Lumbar Support by OPTP (7

Customer Reviews

Love itI fly pretty much every week and this is a God send for my back when sitting hours on end in those terrible airplane seats. I totally love it. The only drawback is after using it every week, it seems to have about a 1 year liifespan before I have to buy a new one Buy keep in mind I give it a solid nonstop workout in that year. Total 5 star product ! 5I am furious! It does not inflate and they don t accept returnsIt doesn t inflate and judging by the product when it s in your hands even if it did work I don t think it would inflate very much. This was a complete waste of money. I immediately tried to return it and their return policy is they do not except returns. So if you want to buy a broken product that you can t return or use and waste your money this is the product for you . 1(WAS..) THE BEST BACK (LUMBAR) PILLOW YET (...BUT NO MORE!)Earlier I wrote a glowing review of this product. I sincerely loved it. However, the product has changed and is no longer a product I like. Depending on how the company responds (I wrote to them directly), I will return one of two new airbags / pillows that I bought as it is NOT ACCEPTABLE.My earlier review is below the ***** line. The updated one follows immediately; it is from the comments I gave directly to the company.I recently bought two Original McKenzie self-inflating airbags. I did this as my wife regretfully left one in a public place and it was lost. I liked the first one I had so much that I wrote a glowing review on your website and also posted it to Amazon. To replace the lost one, I ordered two, to assure I'd have one in reserve in case another was lost. I like the earlier one that much.However, I am GREATLY DISAPPOINTED by the new ones.When I got them from Amazon, they were bulging, fully inflated. I thought that was odd but dismissed it. Then, I opened one and used it. When I was done, I did as I so often did with the first one I owned, rolling it up to fully deflate it, closing the valve, unrolling and flattening it, and putting it aside.When I returned a few hours later, I found it fully inflated again. I checked the valve. It was securely closed, yet it "leaked" to a full and bulging position.This is not good as I travel with it in a folder slot of my briefcase and now I believe it will inflate in my bag and make my bag appear stuffed. The earlier model _definitely_ did not do this. It would remain thin and flat for days.In addition, I fear that on airliners, which I often use, the airbag will inflate past where I want it when the airplane ascends and the cabin pressure rises. I valued the earlier version as it was a small, thinner back pillow. This worked well for my back and I don't need or want it to be so thickly inflated.Lastly, this airbag is finished differently. It feels more "plasticy" than the earlier model. I think it will cause sweating. Perhaps this is related to why it inflates all on its own.THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!Depending on how you reply, I may seek to return (to Amazon) the one I never removed from it's plastic bag container. If I must do this, I will update my earlier review to state the new version of this once-valued airbag is no longer the quality of the earlier model.I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS PRODUCT. I want the earlier version but suspect you no longer offer it. If you have any of those left, I would buy them but I am not happy with this newer model.********************************************After a serious back injury some years ago, I have tried many back pillows, to give lumbar support in the majority of chairs that have lousy (even awful, or no) lumbar support. Some pillows have been good, specifically the sort you use at home that retain their shape. I also like the mesh ones you can buy inexpensively. However, these don't transport well -- either on airplanes or to your local restaurant. So, I've also tried several air-inflating pillows. Most sprung a leak and became useless, though I have one I like that I've only had to replace once.However, the best yet, especially for travel, is the Original McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Lumbar Support. This is the best I've found for a few reasons -- (1) It is small and discreet, when you may not want to advertise your back weakness; (2) It lasts well. I only had to replace it when my wife left mine somewhere after borrowing it and someone else evidently decided they liked it, too; (3) It is fairly thin. I do not need a thick pillow and the air-inflated ones I've used I only filled partially; (4) It rolls up small when evacuating the air though I usually then flatten it out and carry it in a briefcase; and, (5) You do not have to blow into it, which is part of it being discreet. Oh, one more thing: It doesn't make noise when evacuating the air out of it.No wonder, then, that I bought two when I had to replace the one my wife lost. I got mine from Amazon, for $18.95, which is a little bit less than from OPTP.com direct.It's a great product and I heartily recommend it. 5Defective valve/leak, not returnable. AVOID unless you've got $25 to lose.UPDATE-- Vendor OPTP responded to my email, saying since order was fulfilled not by OPTP but by Amazon, call Amazon. Amazon Cust Svc Rep performed refund/credit over the phone. I'm satisfied with the return, anyway, if not the product. Thanks Amazon!Original review starts here (new edit appears in brackets, removed "vendor nonresponsive" from Subject line): No matter how tightly you close the valve, it self-inflates in a few hours. Must be a leak. Amazon [returns web page] says product is "not eligible" for return. Message sent to vendor through Amazon's return page got zero response. I've owned this less than two weeks, and it was defective from Day One.Come on, optp.com, make me happy, here. At least return my email. 1Quality of the productThis product worked great for keeping my lower back out of lumbar flexion. I used it on a 5 hour car ride and my lower back felt fine. In comparison short drives around town without this product cause significant pain and discomfort.The problem with this product is the quality of it. After only 3 uses the self inflating mechanism broke. There is a small leak, so it deflates in several minutes when using it, and also reinates when not being used. I really wish this worked better because it seemed like it was the answer I am looking for. 2Best Back Support!!Best back pillow I have found. I have been a physical therapist for 26 years and I highly recommend this product for back pain and to prevent back pain. I love the fact it can be folded up and taken with you anywhere. I use mine in my car. Greater quality than other pillows I have gotten that quickly got a hole in them. I can tell this is higher quality and will last longer. I am very pleased with this back pillow and I recommend it to a lot of my patients. 5A MUST HAVE for low back sufferersBUY THIS NOW. This is one of my must haves . It s actually on my car at all times. I m on my second one (I lost my first one at an airport and darn near got off a plane to look for it). If you have low back pain/sciatica/low back problems this is a wonderful product. You can roll it up and put it in your purse (it s a tad bulky). You can inflate and deflate easily which is great when you want to adjust the pressure up or down. To be clear- this is good for your back. And will help manage pain. It isn t amazingly comfortable. It s meant to put your back in better alignment. If you are looking for a big cushy pillow- this is not it. 5nice lightweight support for travel and drivingThe best thing about this pillow is that you can adjust the thickness and support. I used it while driving and helped alleviate the pain in my lower back. Now i keep it in my car and use it once in a while when the lower back pain flares up. I can easily inflate/deflate it and its lightweight and easy to carry it while travelling. I've also used in long flight and it worked well. i knocked off one star because you feel that there is something between the seat and your back, as in you dont completely forget that you are using a support and also takes some time initially getting used to it. 4Slow Leaks!This is my third purchase. The first two were great. This pillow is very solid when inflated. They make so natural a fit that I left the other two behind on planes since it felt like it was part of the seat. (If only!) The latest one I bought, however, has a slow leak, so doesn't stay empty for too long. In light of others who have had this problem, I wonder whether they changed manufacturers or plants? So while I still use it, because I like the hardness of it, it is a bit frustrating now. Ergo, the three star. 3really does the trickI had lumbar disc surgery years ago, and am always trying to support my lower back to prevent further issues with my L4-L5. This thing inflates very easily, some by itself, the rest (as desired), by a couple gentle puffs. It stays in place (although a rougher surface would help more), folds up very small for taking on trips, etc. My desk sitting, recliner sitting, car driving, and plane travel have all been much better with this pad. The air valve is well designed and easy to use. This is very important.My only gripe is that this "technology" seems expensive, for some reason. I have had Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads for camping, for years, which have really held up, but they were very expensive. If this thing holds air for the next 5 years, then the price won't be significant.I really don't understand the other criticisms, especially with regard to inflating & size. A couple key points to this kind of support are: (1) INFLATION-- you must inflate the "proper amount" for your application. I usually over-inflate, then gently turn the valve to slowly release air down to the comfortable level, after the cushion is in place. If you feel that this doesn't not inflate enough, then I suspect you're trying to use this for something for which it was not intended. (2)POSITION-- As those who have dealt with lower back support issues know, the position of a support pillow is very important. Play with this. For the very typical lower lumbar use, people often put the support too low right at the small of the back. Slide it up a bit to fill that gap or curve well above the tail bone. It makes a huge difference.Good luck... this cushion is really worth a try. 4

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The Original McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Lumbar Support by OPTP (710) - Back Support Pillow for Travel

The Original McKenzie Self-Inflating AirBack Lumbar Support by OPTP (710) - Back Support Pillow for Travel

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