For individuals who spend long periods sitting or lying down, pressure relief is one of the most important factors in maintaining health and wellbeing. Without proper support, areas of the body can experience increased pressure, reducing circulation and leading to serious complications such as pressure sores.
In this blog, we’ll explore what pressure relief really means, why it’s so important, and what solutions are available to help, whether this is through specialist cushions, chairs, or mattresses.
Jump straight to…
What is the meaning of pressure relief?
Pressure relief in a healthcare context means reducing the concentration of pressure on contact areas of the body when a patient is lying or sitting.
Poor pressure relief is when there is a higher degree of pressure on certain points of the body from the person’s body weight.
Good pressure relief can be achieved if the person’s body weight is distributed more evenly across the contact surfaces of the body.
Specialist chairs and beds have the ability to redistribute pressure to the user’s needs, by changing their position and using fabrics with better pressure relieving qualities.
In this article we have a look at some of these products, and see what technologies they use to provide superior pressure relief.
Why is pressure relief important?
When increased pressure is exerted on certain areas of the body, blood flow is restricted to these areas which starves the skin of oxygen. This can result in a pressure sore or ulcer developing if it is left this way for some time.
Some common areas that are susceptible to pressure ulcers are highlighted in the diagrams below. These could be the elbows, coccyx, ITs and thighs when sitting, or hips, heels and back of the head when lying down.
Patients at high risk of developing a pressure ulcer will usually have multiple risk factors, e.g. significantly limited mobility and/or cognitive impairment, nutritional deficiency, and inability to reposition themselves. Patients with previous history of pressure ulcers or a current pressure ulcer are also considered to be at high risk. Our previous blogpost explains more about pressure risk assessments.
The warning signs to look out for are redness on the surface of the skin, soreness and discomfort. Pressure sores can be difficult to treat and can severely impact a person’s health if they are left to develop – learn more about preventing pressure sores here.
Pressure sores can become more prevalent with age, with over 60% of ulcers occurring in people over 70, owing to age-related skin changes and higher immobility.
As well as the dangers of pressure sores, there are some other health effects of poor pressure relief and prolonged sitting, highlighting the importance of this area when looking at seating or beds.
Reduced circulation
Compression to the skin restricts blood flow and causes poor circulation. This can starve the skin of much needed oxygen, causing it to degenerate.
Pain and discomfort
As well as damage to skin tissue, hard uncomfortable chairs cause pain, discomfort and misery, not a good picture!
Muscle tightness/pain
Tension in the muscles from trying to cope with pressure can cause tightness, pain and even lead to muscle contractures.
Postural problems
Trying to relieve discomfort by shifting posture can cause postural deformities, such as windswept hip, scoliosis and pelvic obliquity.
Watch our Webinar About Pressure Care in Seating
Top tips to relieve pressure
How to prevent pressure sores in a wheelchair?
Exercises
One way to quickly relieve pressure in a wheelchair is to push up on the armrests to take pressure of your buttocks and spine. Make sure you lock the brakes first! Completely lift your buttocks off the cushion and hold for 15 seconds every 15 minutes, or 30 seconds every 30 minutes.
You can also lean forward or side-to-side to relieve pressure on the coccyx and lower back.
If a wheelchair user is unable to relieve pressure in this way, a tilt-in-space wheelchair would be a better option, with built in features for redistributing pressure
With the Rea Azalea TIS wheelchair, the patient can be manually tilted back in the chair to relieve pressure build-up.
Lateral supports can be added to prevent leaning to one side, if they have poor trunk control.
Rea Azalea tilt-in-space wheelchair
How long is too long to sit in a wheelchair?
Sitting in a wheelchair for long periods at a time puts users at more risk of pressure sores.
Up to four hours a day between breaks is a safe level for most wheelchair users, to avoid the risk of pressure sores and other health-related issues.
What type of mattress is best for pressure relief?
Airflow mattresses have been developed specifically to prevent pressure sores, providing optimum pressure relief for patients who are bedridden.
Alternating air mattresses can be used for patients with existing pressure ulcers to help them heal, with air flow alternating between cells to provide constant shifts in pressure.
Airflow mattress
The mattress is divided into air cells, which inflate and deflate in alternating cycles to spread pressure as evenly as possible across the body.
Hybrid mattress like the Impulse Hybrid combine foam and air technologies to provide a balance of comfort and clinical-grade pressure relief.
These mattresses also regulate body temperature, which is important for tissue viability, as skin can break down more easily with extra moisture and humidity.
Pressure Care Technologies
Coolgel cushions
Coolgel cushions combine cooling gel with Dartex fabrics to deliver exceptional levels of pressure relief. The gel helps distribute body weight evenly across the seating surface, reducing concentrated pressure points, while the Dartex covering provides a soft, breathable layer that protects the skin. This technology is widely used in both mattresses, such as the Coolgel Comfort Mattress, and specialist chairs, including our Lento seating range. The result is a cushion that not only relieves pressure but also enhances comfort and reduces heat build-up, which is crucial for maintaining skin integrity.
Pressure mapping
Another highly effective technology is pressure mapping. This involves using a specialised mat or sensor system to measure how weight is distributed across a mattress or cushion when a person sits or lies down. The system then produces a visual map of pressure points, highlighting areas at higher risk of developing pressure sores. Pressure mapping is invaluable for caregivers and clinicians because it provides clear, evidence-based insights into which support surfaces or seating adjustments will provide the best outcomes for the individual. By tailoring solutions to each patient’s needs, it ensures that the right level of pressure relief is achieved.
Pressure mapping image of a person sitting in a chair.
Regulated Motion
Regulated Motion is a technology designed to gently and automatically move a patient at set intervals, reducing the need for manual repositioning for individuals who are unable to shift their own weight.
By introducing subtle, controlled movements, Regulated Motion reduces the risk of pressure sores forming while also improving circulation and comfort. For caregivers, this technology offers peace of mind, knowing that patients are being supported even during the night or between care visits. It also helps to ease the physical strain of constant repositioning, allowing care teams to focus more time on other essential tasks.
Conclusion
Pressure relief is a vital aspect of maintaining skin health, circulation, and overall wellbeing for those who spend extended periods in bed or in a wheelchair. Whether it’s through exercises, specialist cushions, advanced mattresses, or innovative technologies, there are many effective ways to relieve pressure and prevent complications.
Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
