Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

[Evan A]

Has anyone used this yet? Or better yet used it AND also a BodyCushion and willing to share their opinion?

I love the price point of the Oakworks system $200 vs. the BodyCushion $400+++.

 

[CeciMoon]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

I'm surprised no one has answered this yet, I've been curious to hear others opinions too.

 

[Acid09]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

I got the Earthlite Pregnancy Cushion, and I love it. My clients LOVE it, too... More than I do. It's a little more than the Oakworks, but if you think about it.... how is a sidelying bolster system better than using PILLOWS? I mean, yeah, it is specifically MADE for lying on your side, pregnant, etc, but if you already have pillows, why spend $200? Spend $300, and get something that allows the girl to lay face down. All of my clients have told me how nice it is to be able to lay face down, and the soft yet supportive cushion is super comfortable. I even laid on it myself for a few minutes and yeah, very comfortable. It comes with a little pillow for the tummy area for while she's not showing as much, then you take the pillow out when she's further along.

Just as a note, I got the earthlite cushion instead of the Prego Pillow on purpose, not because of cost. I liked that the Earthlite cushion has support for the chest and sternum, while the Prego Pillow is just open. I had a few more experienced therapists convince me against the Prego Pillow because it doesn't support the chest while mommy is laying down. I also don't like the Sophie Prone cushion because there's no head support! You have to put a pillow under her forehead, which doesn't seem very relaxing to me. It might be fine for short intervals, but not for a massage.

The only negative about the Earthlite cushion is that it doesn't have a cover, at least not that I've found yet. So I use a sheet, either the fitted or the top, depending on what I used last, and tuck it in around so it fits. But then the face rest doesn't velcro to the cushion. I just let it sit on top, it works fine.

 

[BShimwoman]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

Link to the Earthlite Pregnancy Cushion, because I have tried out both the Prego Pillow and the Body Cusion, both of which I didn't particularly care for. And, this one actually looks interesting. Would love to read more feedback on it:
http://www.earthlite.com/massage-supplies/facecradles-headrests-and-cushions/pregnancy-cushion-and-headrest.html

The PregoPillow didn't have a cover that I saw. I think sheeting is just fine, in case it makes a difference to anyone reading this thread.

BTW, I am sorry to the OP. I don't have any info on the bolster system.

 

[oyster_ s]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

I have the body cushion and I love it. It does take some getting used to. It makes my work easier. My husband loves getting a massage in the body cushion as compared to lying on the table. He has said that it helps his body to relax better. Hope this helps. You might try to locate one in your area and have a massage in it or just be able to lay it for a bit. We had one at our massage school that one of the regular therapists uses. I got a massage in it and it was the best. :altsmile:

 

[Cortnie]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

I passed on the Earthlite and Oakworks in favor of the Body Cushion despite the lower prices due to the fact that the Body Cushion is designed for both side-lying AND prone positions as opposed to just one or the other, but I haven't tried the other two so I guess I can't really say how they are .

 

[Pompal 09.]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

I was so excited when I saw the Oakworks SLP sytem. I especially loved the price and it even came with a video. I looked all over the internet for comparisons witht the bodyCushion, but all I found were these postings. I bought both the bodyCushion ($600 system with the leg bolster and cushions) and the Oakworks SLP System ($199.00). I decided I was going to compare the two and return the one I didn't like. What did I have to lose if I had 30 days to return them? Here is what happened:

At first,I didn't like the bodyCushion in sidelying position, and I liked the SLP system. BUT then I used the extra small cushions the bodyCushion came with and put one under the bodyCushion at about my waist level and the bodyCushion became more comfortable than the SLP in Sidelying. Among my clients, half liked the SLP and the other half felt like the head rest needed to be higher or the cushion was too high at the waist. The bodyCushion wins here since the small cushions make it adjustable for anyone who needs more lift in the waist/hip. One more issue with the SLP system: the leg bolster was hard to fit on the table with the clients in sidelying, there was hardly any room I had to readjust the client. I had a pregnant client try both in systems in sidelying position and she preferred the bodyCushion.

I had my pregnant client use the SLP for reclining during an abdominal massage and she told me it was really no different from the regular pillows I used previously. I tried reclining on it and it was not very comfortable with the face cradle supporting my neck, so I removed the face cradle cushion and put a pillow there and was a bit more comfortable. But wished it reclined a bit more, because I felt too upright. Also, setting up the SLP in the reclining position was not quick and I had to remove my fleece warming pad because I didn't want to warp it's shape.

For the seated massage, I thought the SLP would be more comfortable because of the ability to attach a face cradle, but it wasn't. The torso cushion was too long! I'm 5'5 and I couldn't reach the face cradle in this position. This explains why they have a man pictured using it in the advertisements, probably because he was tall enough. The SLP was comfortable enough seated without the face cradle. The bodyCushion wasn't very comfortable for seated massage either, but I put the chest piece on my massage chair and it fit well and was more comfortable than the cushion on the massage chair! (Avila II)

In prone position the bodyCushion is very comfortable for floor massage, and for clients with large breasts/ large bellies. A skinny friend felt like sank in too much during when I put pressure on her back.

In supine the bodyCushion is not very comfortable if you have a narrow back, because you sink in the hole. I tried using the extra cushions, but it didn't make it more comfortable ( maybe I just have to figure out how to place them). My thicker clients loved it, though.

Traveling with the bodyCushion is easy, it's like carrying a chunky yet light briefcase. The SLP system wouldn't stay put with the strap you tie around it and just got messy. It was also a hassle getting it in and out of my car.

I considered keeping both systems and returning the leg bolster and small cushions ($200 the price of the SLP system). My fluffy leg bolster is just as comfortable as the leg bolster for the body cushion. BUT I really like those small cushions and rolling up towels wasn't the same at all (too hard with rolled up towels). So my decision is to return the SLP.

I contacted Body Systems (when I thought I didn't like it) and told them I wanted to return the bodyCushion and they emailed me a return shipping label within a week, so I wouldn't have had to pay for return shipping. Oakworks does not give you a return shipping label, so I have to pay to ship it back ( I was not expecting this/ but I didn't read the return policy either). I went to UPS about shipping the SLP system back, over $75.00. I've decided to sell the SLP on Craigslist for a bit cheaper than what I originally paid.

I hope this helps you guys make a decision. Something I learned which I was not expecting was that 30 day return policys don't mean much if shipping them back costs almost as much as the product itself. If I could do it over again, I would get the $600 bodyCushion system and I'd buy a reclining wedge to put underneath the body cushion in supine position (for pregnancy massage). I really wanted to love the SLP system (because it's affordable) but I can't recommend it, because half your clients won't be comfortable in the sidelying position. And the reclining or seated positions aren't that great.

 

[teresa m]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

This is some wonderful information. Thanks!

 

[Dani73]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

For me, there are 3 main considerations guiding my use of any equipment or techniques with my clients: safety, comfort and efficacy. While there are advaneforum.xxxes and disadvaneforum.xxxes to every positioning method mentioned, I have found that the advaneforum.xxxes of the Oakworks Sidelying Positioning System (SLP) in the above categories clearly outweigh a few disadvaneforum.xxxes. For this reason, the Oakworks system is my choice when I work with pregnant clients, and for anyone for whom sidelying is the best position.
A few details: For prenatal work, sidelying positioning is probably safer (no increase in intrauterine pressure when I get to therapeutic depth in lumbar and pelvic structures; maximizes maternal cardiac function and fetal oxygenation), usually more comfortable (no strain to sacrouterine or other uterine ligaments; no sinus congestion build up; tender breasts aren't compressed; and women often prefer not to lie on their babies), and more effective (excellent access to pectoral and pelvic girdle especially for mobilizations; psychologically comforts and soothes; and improves communication between client and therapist) as compared to prone positioning, regardless of what equipment used. So, for me, I just won't be using prone positioning regardless of the equipment.
I used and endorsed the bodyCushion enthusiastically for sidelying for many years. Sometimes I still use it, but I find more of my clients to be more comfortable and secure on the Oakworks system in several ways. Because the SLP is designed first and foremost for sidelying, every body area fits better on this system, especially the breasts (the corner of the bodyCushion poking into the breast was a constant complaint of women) and the neck (that cut-out in the SLP head cushion snugs under the cervical spine so well; add a small pillow if it needs to be higher, substitute a lower pillow for it if it is too high for some).The torso cushion has sections of firm and memory foam to make a soft yet secure support to hold her on her side. First, check that she is in the CENTER of the torso cushion, not off to one side or on a diagonal to maximize two foams' benefits. It takes a few minutes for the foam to respond so wait to see how she settles in before readjusting if needed. Some are more comfortable with the torso cushion closer or farther from the axilla; experiment.
All that said, some women are more comfortable on plain pillows. If so, provided I can keep her safely on her side, I just use pillows. The main safety, comfort and efficacy disadvaneforum.xxxes with pillows is you will very likely have to adjust, rearrange, add, and adapt several times as your session proceeds and the pillows flatten under pressure.
Prenatal positioning is a favorite topic of mine, about which I have decades of experience, have done lots of research and experimenting, and teach extensively. I am honored that I was able to share my perspective with Oakworks as they designed the SLP. I could go on and on, but instead will invite further discussion.

 

[Babak Kratosbbm]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

Prenatal positioning is a favorite topic of mine, about which I have decades of experience, have done lots of research and experimenting, and teach extensively. I am honored that I was able to share my perspective with Oakworks as they designed the SLP. I could go on and on, but instead will invite further discussion.

Carole, thank you so much for that informative post and sharing your experiences! I do not own any of these body cushions but I'm always reading about how others use them and how they work -ect.

By the way, welcome to MassagePlanetL! t006

 

[OscarMeyerRina<3]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

When working with sidelying clients, I usually just use a couple of pillows, maybe a body pillow for prolonged sidelying. I have a body cushion (BC) set that I never use, but intend to start experimenting with it. One of my reservations about using BC or SLP sets is that they seem great for keeping a client in one position, but overly-complicated for turning the client onto their other side... especially if they have difficulty moving/turning in the first place. The same is true when I consider turning a client from supine to prone, or vice versa.

 

[Danny]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

Just on the idea of saving $$. I agree with Jason E, I also use pillows. I use a very long pillow from IKEA (that goes between the legs/feet or under the top leg and foot, depending on the work being performed) - a rolled up towel to for the client to lay on that rests between their iliac crest and lower ribs-- and a head rest cushion turned around with a warm towel on top for under their head (unless I'm doing active work sidelying to the spine where they can't have anything under the head). If you have a large enough office space and the $$ then the expense probably isn't an issue.

However, pre-natal massage is not my specialty.

 

[Jasmine(:]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

When working with sidelying clients, I usually just use a couple of pillows, maybe a body pillow for prolonged sidelying. I have a body cushion (BC) set that I never use, but intend to start experimenting with it. One of my reservations about using BC or SLP sets is that they seem great for keeping a client in one position, but overly-complicated for turning the client onto their other side... especially if they have difficulty moving/turning in the first place. The same is true when I consider turning a client from supine to prone, or vice versa.

I'm so confused about how to turn the client from prone or side lying to supine- does anyone know if the oakworks dvd shows you how to do it smoothly? Are the clients supposed to lay back on the bolster system, or is there an easy way to take it out so they can just be on the table?

Currently for pregnant clients I just use a bunch of pillows. Haven't had any issues yet, but I am searching around the forum for info on sidelying & preg pillows.

 

[Billy W]

Oakworks Sidelying Bolster System

...I am searching around the forum for info on sidelying & preg pillows.

Just adding this here as a general pregnancy cross-link... http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19488&start=0