Login

u/Correct-Bag-842

I built a force-feedback home decompression prototype and am looking for early user feedback
▲ 4 r/productdesign+1 crossposts

I built a force-feedback home decompression prototype and am looking for early user feedback

Hi everyone,

I’m a mechanical engineer and have been working on a new hardware product called DiscForce. It’s an at-home lower back decompression-style device that uses a waist/hip harness, door anchor, adjustable poles, and a Bluetooth force gauge connected to an iPhone app.

The idea came from my own experience with an L4/L5 herniated disc, PT, epidurals, and in-clinic decompression/traction tables. I found the clinic tables helpful, but wanted to explore whether something more affordable and repeatable could be created for home use.

The main design difference is real-time force feedback. Most home traction/decompression options don’t tell the user how much force they are applying, so it can be hard to repeat a comfortable session. DiscForce shows current force and peak force in the app while the user applies force manually.

I have the first small batch of units ready and am looking for early feedback from people who would be willing to try the device and give honest input on:

  • Setup process
  • Comfort
  • Usability
  • App display / force feedback
  • Instruction guide clarity
  • General product design

I previously developed another product called SteamGoggle, and early Reddit feedback helped a lot in shaping that product, so I’m hoping to do something similar here.

I put together a simple page with photos and the instruction guide so people can understand the setup before giving feedback:

www.discforce.com

A few details:

  • iPhone is currently required for the app
  • Units are ready for initial testers
  • I may ask testers to cover shipping or return the unit after testing, depending on the situation
  • I’m mainly looking for people who can give thoughtful feedback after trying it for a few weeks

If anyone here has experience testing early hardware products, back-related wellness devices, or just has feedback on the concept, I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Happy to answer questions.

u/Correct-Bag-842 — 4 days ago
▲ 1 r/Sciatica

Has anyone wished home traction/decompression setups had force feedback?

Hi everyone,

I’m a mechanical engineer and have dealt with lower back issues myself over the last few years, including an L4/L5 herniated disc. I’ve gone through physical therapy, chiropractic care, spinal epidurals, and in-clinic decompression/traction tables.

One thing I noticed is that in-clinic decompression tables are controlled and measurable, but most at-home options feel much less precise. Things like inversion tables or basic traction setups don’t really tell you how much force you’re applying, which makes it hard to be consistent from session to session.

That got me thinking about whether real-time force feedback would be useful in a home decompression-style setup.

The basic concept I’ve been working on uses a waist/hip harness, door anchor, adjustable poles, and a Bluetooth force gauge connected to an iPhone app. The app shows current force and peak force so the user can apply force slowly and consistently rather than guessing.

To be clear, I’m not giving medical advice, and this is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. I’m mainly curious from a usability standpoint:

For people who have tried traction, decompression tables, inversion tables, or similar home setups:

  • Did you feel like it was hard to know how much force you were applying?
  • Would live force feedback have made the process feel more controlled?
  • Do you think pulling from the hips/waist would feel more useful or comfortable than pulling from the feet?
  • What would make a home setup feel safer or easier to use?

I’m interested in honest opinions, especially from people who have tried different back pain tools or therapies.

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/Correct-Bag-842 — 7 days ago
▲ 3 r/backpain

Has anyone wished home traction/decompression setups that had force feedback?

Hi everyone,

I’m a mechanical engineer and have dealt with lower back issues myself over the last few years, including an L4/L5 herniated disc. I’ve gone through physical therapy, chiropractic care, spinal epidurals, and in-clinic decompression/traction tables.

One thing I noticed is that in-clinic decompression tables are controlled and measurable, but most at-home options feel much less precise. Things like inversion tables or basic traction setups don’t really tell you how much force you’re applying, which makes it hard to be consistent from session to session.

That got me thinking about whether real-time force feedback would be useful in a home decompression-style setup.

The basic concept I’ve been working on uses a waist/hip harness, door anchor, adjustable poles, and a Bluetooth force gauge connected to an iPhone app. The app shows current force and peak force so the user can apply force slowly and consistently rather than guessing.

To be clear, I’m not giving medical advice, and this is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. I’m mainly curious from a usability standpoint:

For people who have tried traction, decompression tables, inversion tables, or similar home setups:

  • Did you feel like it was hard to know how much force you were applying?
  • Would live force feedback have made the process feel more controlled?
  • Do you think pulling from the hips/waist would feel more useful or comfortable than pulling from the feet?
  • What would make a home setup feel safer or easier to use?

I’m interested in honest opinions, especially from people who have tried different back pain tools or therapies.

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/Correct-Bag-842 — 7 days ago