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.
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’t 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.
