Pressure relief techniques
Lying and sitting too long puts pressure on the skin and restricts oxygen and nutrients from getting to the skin. This is how skin breakdown occurs.
People with full (normal) sensation shift their weight naturally because being in one position for a long time starts to feel uncomfortable. When you have impaired sensation, you must develop a daily habit of moving your weight as often as possible.
Moving your weight is the only way to allow blood flow into an area that you have been sitting or lying on for a long time. Wheelchair cushions, specialise mattresses, and overlays cannot perform full pressure relief for you. While these will reduce your risk, they will not prevent skin breakdown. The bony parts of the body that can be at risk of a pressure injury due to immobility.
The below pressure relief techniques reduce the risk of skin breakdown.
How to pressure relieve in a wheelchair
- Lean forward on to a table, bed, chair, desk, or your knees
- Lean to the side and then the other side
- Shift your legs one at a time to re-position
See gallery at the bottom of his page for illustrations.
It is recommended that you pressure relieve every 20-30 minutes for at least 2 minutes.
Pressure management
- Set a watch timer or use your phone alarm. This will remind you to pressure relieve until you get into a habit.
- Always check your skin with a mirror morning and night. Especially your feet and bottom.
- Use your pressure relief equipment as prescribed.
- Don鈥檛 add sheep skins, continence sheets or any other items over your pressure relief cushion.
- Talk with your occupational therapist about your equipment needs for pressure relief.
- Seek medical help to manage a pressure injury or wound.
