Identification

• Air cushions are used to help relieve pain and pressure for people who have had back surgery or who suffer from hemorrhoids. Air cushions are also used to protect the neck after surgery. Air cushions may be inflatable or they might be constructed from molded foam. Air cushions of one type or another are used in hospitals to prevent pressure sores in patients who are confined to bed.
  
  

Function

• The main function of an air cushion is to prevent pressure and pain in the back either because of injury or following surgery. An air cushion can mean the difference between a pain filled day and one where life is a little easier. Many people in wheelchairs use air cushions because the cushion helps to relieve pressure on their buttock areas.
  
  

Benefits

• Air cushions are beneficial to anyone who is either confined to bed or who spends long periods sitting in one place. Inflatable rings are often beneficial to patients recovering from having their hemorrhoids removed as they prevent any pressure on the affected area. Coccyx cushions are meant to give extra support to people who suffer from back problems; these cushions are often horseshoe shaped to prevent any pressure on the coccyx area.
  
  

Considerations

• While air cushions do provide relief after a person has had surgery on his back or hemorrhoids, they are generally a temporary measure to relieve pressure on painful areas. Some molded foam cushions are ideal for taking to work and placing on an ordinary chair for greater comfort in the affected area.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Air cushions in various shapes and sizes are used to relieve pressure on various areas of the body where sores might occur. In some cases air cushions can ease back pain and help prevent further problems in that area. Some inflatable air cushions and rings can be bought at a pharmacy store and used to ease pressure on painful hemorrhoids.