As a chiropractic physician my recommendations are made based on a variety of factors including spinal biomechanics, research evidence and practical considerations such as ease of advice implementation and cost particular products. I would like to disclose that, although I may get a referral fee from some of the items advertised or reviewed, this will never impact the integrity of my reviews or recommendations. I hope you find my recommendations useful; however, if you have a specific spinal problem or condition, and have not yet done so, it is recommended that you contact your qualified health care provider for recommendations that may apply to your particular case.
Peter C. Spathis, DC
Raised Toilet Seats To Help With Back Pain & Leg Weakness
A raised toilet seat is a product that is not often thought of for those with chronic back pain, leg weakness or the elderly but is one that can be extremely helpful for many people. In addition to putting some stress on the lower back, going from sitting to standing is a movement that requires a degree of leg and back muscle strength. Muscle loss that occurs with age, as well as the increased strength required to those who overweight, makes this transitional movement even more difficult for some. This increased difficulty will often require an individual to lean forward excessively when trying to get up from the sitting position and put even more stress on the lower back. This can cause, or further exacerbate, low back pain, lumbar disc problems and other conditions.
Fortunately, simply raising the height of your toilet seat can make a big difference! In fact, one of the reasons I have included this catagory of products is patients I have had telling me just how much difference a raised toilet seat has made for them. As mentioned, I believe the most likely people to benefit from a raised toilet seat are elderly patients, those who are overweight, those with leg weakness, those with chronic back pain. Those with an acute lumbar disc herniation are also likely to benefit until this condition is resolved. Please discuss your specific requirements with your qualified health care provider; if it is determined that you would benefit from a raised toilet, I hope you find my following product review helpful.
In additional to its functionality, many people prefer the more conventional look of this raised toilet seat compared to other products in this category. The link provided is for the 3" lift version of this item but a 2" lift version is also available. However, it should be noted that the lift measurement is made from the toilet bowl, not from how much additional lift you will have compared to your current toilet seat. If your current toilet seat already provides 1" of lift, the 3" version will raise you up an additional 2 inches. While this may not seam like a lot, it can make a big difference for some. In addition to the elongated model in the link provided, Centoco offers round models if you happen to have such a toilet.
This is a toilet seat riser with a 300 lb weight capacity that adds a considerable 3.5 inches to your toilet by fitting between the toilet bowl and your current toilet seat. The link provided is for elongated toilets but the company - Carex - has round toilet seat options as well; be sure to pick the correct one for your type of toilet. Compared to other "raised toilet" options, the lower price will make this item especially attractive to those for which it is appropriate.
I am not a big fan of toilet seat risers with grab bars that do not extend all the way to the floor due to an intrinsic instability in most of these products. However, when installed and used correctly, the design of this particular product allows enough stability and functionality that many will find it useful. This unit raises your toilet seat height by a significant 5 inches and has removable grab bar handles that can further assist with getting on and off the toilet. However, for those with significant instability that will be heavily relying on the grab bars, the following product may be an even better choice.
The padded armrests on this product are attached to a frame that goes all the way to the floor. This design tends to be more stable than products that simply fit on the toilet bowl and allows an impressive 350 lb listed weight capacity. Along with a padded seat and adjustable height, this item may be used as a raised toilet seat or a bedside commode. To simplify your choice, the product desciption states that it will "fit all toilets". I believe this is a great product for those that require more than a simple toilet riser. If you are considering this item, click on the link provided for a detailed description to help you decide if it is the most appropriate for you.
