Diane Lee & Associates - Consultants in Physiotherapy

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SI belt - The Com-Pressor

The Com-Pressor is a sacroiliac belt specifically designed and patented by Diane Lee intended for use during core muscle training.

NOTE: This product contains Latex

Low back and pelvic pain often occur when there are problems involving the deep muscles of the core. These muscles often need training before strengthening, yes there is a difference (see Education/Articles/Core training vs. strengthening - What is the difference and Why it Matters).

During the training part of your program, a sacroiliac belt is often advised both for pain relief and support of the sacroiliac joints and/or pubic symphysis. The Com-Pressor is a unique sacroiliac belt that supports the pelvis specifically where it is needed the most during this training period.

The Com-Pressor SI belt is used as an adjunct during core muscle training and acts both to provide mechanical support and sensory input to remind the brain which muscle(s) need 'waking up'. How does it do this?

The Com-Pressor supports the pelvis through the tension of its very strong, an individually applied, elastic straps. The straps are attached to an underlying inelastic strap that is worn around the pelvis just below the anterior, superior iliac spines (ASISs) (bones at the front of your pelvis) and above the greater trochanters of the femurs (lateral hip bones). The inelastic white strap (body belt) should be worn directly on the skin. If the belt is worn over clothing, it tends to slip.

The elastic straps are then applied over the white body belt. Where you put the elastic straps depends on what you need most and this is determined by a quick test known as the Active Straight Leg Raise Test.

Is this belt for you?

Lie on your back and lift one leg off the table (keep your knee straight) and pay attention to how hard it is to lift and what happens to your pain. Repeat with the other leg.

Is one leg harder to lift than the other?
Does lifting the left, or the right, or either leg, increase your pelvic pain?

Now have someone squeeze your hip bones together:

in the front, then
in the back and then
obliquely through the pelvis from one side in the front to one side in the back (left front and right back and then right front and left back – see photo).

While your hips are being squeezed together in different locations, repeat the leg lift, first the left leg and then the right, and notice if:

your leg is lighter to lift or
your pain is less.

If either of these occurs during any of the specific pelvic compressions, then the Com-Pressor Sacroiliac Belt is for you and the straps are applied to the white body belt (in standing) exactly where the compressions of the pelvis made it easier for you to lift your leg.

For more information on how, and when, to use this unique sacroiliac belt, watch the short video at the top of this page. There is more information on how to wear The Com-Pressor SI belt in the instruction booklet that comes with the belt.

For the best outcome, this belt should be used in conjunction with core training under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist.

"Following on from my cluster of SI (Sacroiliac) belt reviews we've finally reached the best belt I've ever had. Diane Lee designed this belt and it's no coincidence it's so good. Diane Lee is world famous in the physiotherapy world for the enormous amount of research she has done about SI joints and how they go wrong and what needs doing with them to help them. Her book "The Pelvic Girdle" is the most detailed book I've ever read and really helped me to understand all about SI joint dysfunction. When I saw she'd designed a belt I started looking for it online but it wasn't until recently I found a UK site that stocked them. The site is www.physiouk.co.uk and the postage and packaging is a mere £1.50 for UK customers.

So how am I finding it? It's the most comfortable belt I've worn and the 4 straps I have to use do actually support my pelvis. I've never got much help from SI belts in the past but that's probably because other types just squash the entire pelvis together regardless of what it actually needs. You can tell someone who really understands SI joint problems designed this belt and it's a vast improvement on the others I've worn. The belt itself is very soft and comfortable and can be washed easily by hand or on a gentle cool cycle. The straps can be a bit tough to pull, especially the short ones, but you get used to it over time. The only minor gripe I have is the width of the straps, they are slightly wider than the actual belt so overlap at the edges and you have to be careful not to get them where they will dig into the skin if you sit down or bend but I've only had one occasion when this happened and I just moved the strap slightly and it stopped it rubbing. The idea behind the belt is to wear it until you have retrained your muscles to support the pelvis then gradually wean yourself off it. For me it's a lifetime necessity I suspect because my ligaments don't support my joints properly so it's next to impossible to sort out the muscles, however it's the best belt I've worn so I'll probably invest in a couple so when one's drying I have another to wear. This belt will also fit under clothes without being really obvious so it can be worn all the time unless you're into slinky catsuits of course!

I'm giving it a full 5 stars and recommend it to anyone with SI joint problems for a comfortable, precise and secure fit. If you are pregnant and in need of a belt this one is not suitable and you need a specific maternity type.

Summary: The best SI belt on the market"

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