MobiliserMobiliser FAQs
Frequently asked Questions and Answers
Dr Ann Redgrave has helped us to compile answers to the following questions:
2. What does it do? How long does it take?
3. How long should it be before I notice improvement?
4. What will those improvements be?
5. How does it differ from normal massage systems?
6. Will it “change my life” (like everything claims to do nowadays)?
7. How many years will it last?
8. How would it help my job?
9. How would it help my hobby / sport?
10. What does it cost?
11. Where can I get it?
12. What if I buy it and don't like it?
13. What about initial reaction and acclimatisation?
14. Will it damage me?
15. Will it hurt?
16. How many times a day should I use it?
17. Are there any conditions for which it's not suited?
18. Will it mean I can stop treatment or need less treatment?
19. Can children and the elderly use it?
20. Is it tried/endorsed?
21. Where is it made?
22. Who manufactures it?
23. How many years will it last?
24. Where would I get it repaired?
25. Can I insure it?
1. What is the Mobiliser?
The Mobiliser is a machine for lying on to restore lost movement in your spine, and to loosen tight muscles. It is used by professionals in medical and sports centres, and is now available to use in your own home.
It actually looks like a giant, thin, slab of dark chocolate! It's about seven feet long when opened for use, but folds up to the size of a suitcase for storage or transport.
2. What does it do? How long does it take?
It pushes lots of firm rubber thumbs into your muscles in a wave-like motion from your feet to the nape of your neck. A complete, all-body treatment lasts 15 minutes and almost everyone finds that, after seven sessions, they feel fitter, younger and (most importantly) they have less back pain.
3. How long should it be before I notice improvement?
Most people say they feel better by half-way through the first Mobiliser session.
The more often the system is used the longer lasting the effects seem to be. Some people report an absence of pain after a week of daily use, others find gradual improvement occurs over several months.
Progress is not always linear. Sometimes users will find their new-found flexibility allows them to do more, which then creates transient symptoms. Long term, the goal is more than being pain free, it's also to live life to the full as well, so we advise steady progress rather than doing too much too soon.
4. What will those improvements be?
After the “early use symptoms” described below the normal benefits are decreased pain, increased flexibility, increased vitality and better sleep.
Back sufferers may be able to resume normal life. One of our evaluators had sciatica for 22 years and lost it within three weeks on the Mobiliser. (Full report on website plus other reports and medical references.)
Sports people often achieve more, and react to training less severely.
Almost every regular user will notice that life occurs with more fun and less effort.
5. How does it differ from normal massage systems?
This system is unique because:
- The Mobiliser is so named because it applies continuous motion to the joints of the back. (In normal massage systems the movement occurs in the muscles while the joints remain almost static.)
- The user lies comfortably on their back and can relax and read or listen to music; (normal, face-down massage creates a strain on the neck).
- The amount of force the Mobiliser uses is greater than with any other system currently available. (The pressure can be locally or generally reduced if required.)
- It contains a heater to soften stiff muscles and increase blood flow.
- It's light enough to carry and folds up small enough to put in a wardrobe! Its portability means it can be hired out into small and large homes alike.
- It can be taken to remoter sports events by plane, train or car, or even shipped by courier.
- It can be used “little and often” which is the best strategy for massage and mobilisation.
- It's very reliable due to the exceptional strong engineering.
- It's protected by international patents.
- It's achieved consistent success with long-term back problems. (Our evaluation
programme has shown that over 90% of long term sufferers gained substantial
relief.) It's one of the rare products that often exceeds expectation. In
short; people are glad they found it.
6. Will it “change my life” (like everything claims to do nowadays)?
If back pain is dominating your life then the Mobiliser could be life changing.
For some people, just walking or sitting more easily would justify hiring one,
but a lot of users do say it has transformed key parts of their life: e.g. their
love life, their job, their hobby, or their sport.
7. How many years will it last?
With daily use the Mobiliser is engineered to be maintenance free for 10 years.
After 2000 hours running time the only maintenance required is the lubrication
of a bearing. So, with small repairs after that, it should last for decades.
8. How would it help my job?
If you sleep better, wake refreshed and can work without pain it's not surprising
if the day seems somehow more enjoyable and tasks seems easier.
The Mobiliser also makes a 15 minute break seem much more valuable so, if coping
with work is difficult, the Mobiliser is a good investment. It should reward you
with increased productivity...so companies might want to install a Mobiliser for
stressed staff .
9. How would it help my hobby / sport?
It depends on your passion.
Those who love gardening for example could expect to enjoy their hobby more with
less pain and greater lifting and bending ability.
Golfers can expect a better shoulder turn and a more powerful, effortless swing.
Rowers, archers, footballers, rugby players, horse riders and countless other
sportspeople use the system for increased performance and enjoyment.
During our evaluation programme, two medals and one British record were won by
athletes exceeding their personal best. Sir Steve Redgrave said that the Mobiliser
completely removed his back pain and leg pain while training for the London Marathon.
10. What does it cost?
Most people start by using the Mobiliser at a Back in Action centre. The first
use is free, future sessions are just £5 and the money is given to charity. (A
Parkinson's Disease help group has found the Mobiliser helps victims and we currently
helping raise funds for buying one. Last month we raised several hundred pounds
for Comic Relief....please come along and help yourself and these good causes.)
Many osteopaths are charging per session for patients to use them, but they set
their own charges. Dr Lady Redgrave charges £15 per session at her practice for
example.
Once people see the benefits, they often hire them; this allows them to have two
sessions a day. As hire costs as little as £25 per week that's about £1.80 per
session. If there's more than one person using it, then it costs even less per
session!
Outright purchase is £2,500, and Customs and Excise allow it to be VAT exempt
when purchased by those with chronic health issues. Others have to add VAT. Delivery
costs £30 to anywhere in the UK.
In our one year pilot program, over 65% of people have gone on to buy one, so
there's a refund scheme for hire charges too.
11. Where can I get it?
It is available from Back in Action's FOUR retail stores, or over the internet from Back in Action's web site (www.backinaction.co.uk) or you can call 0870 443 0797.
The four stores are in London at Trafalgar Square, in Buckinghamshire at Amersham, and in Marlow on the Berks/Bucks border and in Bristol. Each store has demo systems for in-store use, and systems to take away on hire. They also have many other types of systems that users can try.
Maps, telephone numbers and opening hours can be found here.
When ordering from this website the unit is shipped by insured courier to anywhere in the UK within three days
12. What if I buy it and don't like it?
We have not heard of a single dissatisfied user, but the way to guarantee it will
help you is to hire it first.
13. What about initial reaction and acclimatisation?
Almost everyone reports feeling sleepy for the first couple of days, which is
typical of deep massage. Some people say their new flexibility gives the odd twinge
in joints if they haven't worked properly for years.
The greatest initial reaction is one of suspicion (“Is it OK for this to happen
to me?”) followed by optimism (“This could really help if I stick with it”).
14. Will it damage me?
Over 300,000 units are in use with no known damage occurring to anyone.
Dr Lady Ann Redgrave and other doctors have evaluated the Mobiliser with difficult
medical problems such as slipped disc, sciatica, and chronic pain. All evaluators
gained improvement with no evident side effects.
However, with chronic injuries to the back there is often no firm diagnosis, and
without that there's no way to assess individual risk. Potential users will feel
fragile, and will be concerned about a relapse. However, it's probably a greater
risk to do nothing! ...
It's been proven recently, for example, that bed rest is amongst the worst of
strategies for back pain because our muscles become weak, joints become stiff,
and acute injuries tend to become chronic ones (i.e. everlasting!) The Mobiliser
keeps muscles and joints moving, and after a short acclimatisation period, most
users begin a process of recovery.
This device has produced some extraordinary results for people who have weighed
up their options, sought medical advice if they felt it was appropriate, and decided
to try it.
Back in Action advises a consultation with a practitioner who has experience of
the system on themselves and their patients. Dr Lady Ann Redgrave provides this
service but, if you need a more local practitioner, contact Back in Action or
see the web site.
15. Will it hurt?
It can be disconcerting at first, maybe. The first thing the Mobiliser does is
to find which parts of your body are stiff and sore. Users may feel local discomfort
while these areas are found, and some areas might trigger local pain (like moving
a bruised thumb for example).
After the first few minutes, most users will find it reassuring to feel the Mobiliser
pay attention to the sore areas and to decrease the symptoms.
Long-term use is almost always pleasant and pain free. Users say that it's well
worth going through any early discomfort because the long-term effects are so
relaxing. Almost all users say it's eventually one of the most relaxing things
they ever do.
16. How many times a day should I use it?
Let your reaction be the guide. Most people who hire it will use it twice a day
for a month. Those who have bought it, report that they use it several times every
week, plus extra use when they are feeling stressed or they have done something
that has triggered pain.
Some users report using the Mobiliser three times some days if they have done
something to cause a back spasm.
17. Are there any conditions for which it's not suited?
Back in Action advise against using it if pregnant, not because they know of any
risks but because there is no way to prove its safety to the unborn child. Many
women do continue with massage during pregnancy of course without known problems.
We also advise against use if a user has recently had an accident that may have
caused broken or fractured bones. Get a definitive medical diagnosis first.
Dr Redgrave says that:
There are conditions of the spine in which extension provokes pain, in particular spondylolisthesis and stress fractures of the lumbar spine. If these are known to exist the Mobiliser can still be used above and below the level of the problem. This is achieved either by programming the Mobiliser to avoid the problem area, or by creating a bridge so that the thumbs are kept clear of the specific area. (Pictures of creating a bridge are being added to the instruction book). The same principle applies to people using the Mobiliser after spinal surgery.
Osteoporosis is another condition which may cause people to frightened to use the Mobiliser. It needs to be understood that as long as a user lies correctly on the Mobiliser there is no direct pressure onto the vertebra because the thumbs pass either side. There is pressure onto the ribs, but because the user is lying on top of the massage system it is the effect of body weight on the moving thumbs that determines the pressure exerted during the massage. Body weight is applied to osteoporotic bone during everyday activity without problems, but if users want to be certain they should get their doctor to check the bone density of the vertebra.
In evaluating their risk users should also remember that mechanical loading of bones is known to strengthen them and that if posture can be improved by the Mobiliser (which has been my observation even with the elderly) then spinal loading is decreased.
In people at risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis massage to the calves should begin without the weight packs and only progress to include them if two months passes without problems. This will allow the massage to gradually get deeper rather than suddenly. Calf massage could be excluded all together by programming the Mobiliser to start massaging from the thighs.
If a user has a specific medical problem my advice is to take a medical opinion before using the Mobiliser, but to date my experience is that this system is of benefit to every spine so the enquiry is worthwhile before eliminating it."
See question 14 about consulting someone with experience of the Mobiliser.
18. Will it mean I can stop treatment or need less treatment?
Many practitioners have seen Mobiliser users after a few weeks of hiring one and said that practitioner treatment is no longer necessary, or that they can now have much less treatment.
Many users have told us that they love being in control of their own treatment, rather than dependent on a practitioner.
Having said that, many people become so optimistic at their progress that they will combine using the Mobiliser with practitioner treatment in order to gain the best overall advance in their condition.
Most users have been able to decrease treatment from a practitioner by over 75%.
19. Can children and the elderly use it?
Our own children use it regularly to unwind after homework or sport, or even just for pleasure. After nearly two years there's no sign of it having been a fad either!
20. Is it tried/endorsed?
Yes and yes. There are over 300,000 users already.
The Mobiliser has been formally evaluated by the military who use it at a rehab unit on personnel with injured backs. (Report available on request).
Dr Lady Ann Redgrave, orthopaedic doctor, osteopath, sports rehab expert and Chief Medical Officer to the Olympic Rowing team has used it for over two years on the most severe of back injuries, and has a Mobiliser as an important part of her practice . She is endorsing the Mobiliser free of charge because she feels it has a real chance to help thousands who are currently beyond economic or practical help.
Dr Redgrave and Sir Steve have used the Mobiliser as part of their Marathon preparation. Sir Steve found the Mobiliser removed his back pain while running, and Dr Redgrave is on record as saying that if he had used the Mobiliser during his rowing career he would almost certainly have avoided the damage and postural decay to his back.
Dr Redgrave holds clinics at Back in Action to explain why practitioners should also use it in their practice. Users attend these clinics so that practitioners can hear of first hand experience.
The system is now used by private osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors, and is even used by some professional masseurs. Premiership Football Clubs including Chelsea have purchased a Mobiliser.
21. Where is it made?
Japan - the home of reliable products and exceptional electronic control.
22. Who manufactures it?
We are the sole UK importer and we market it under our own brand name.
23. How many years will it last?
In household use, assuming two massages per day, nothing should go wrong in the first ten years. So, with small repairs after that, it should last for decades.
24. Where would I get it repaired?
For domestic use, and during the first year three years, Back in Action will repair faults free of charge.*
From year four onwards, Back in Action will repair at cost.
Back in Action can also supply replacement units during repair, and during the first year a replacement is available at no extra charge.
Because Mobilisers are used all over the world the user is responsible for return and collection of the unit to Backinaction. Back in Action will gladly arrange both transport and insurance at cost price (our transport rates will be less than most users can achieve)
*(As with all warranties it applies to manufacturing faults and excludes malicious or accidental damage).
25. Can I insure it?
There is an optional extension to the standard three year warranty at extra charge. This is not expensive due to the Mobiliser's high reliability.