The length of your spine increases when resting in the most reclined position in Elysium. This increase in length is due to decompression and recovery of the intervertebral discs.

As load on the discs reduces, the discs rehydrate and swell. This increases the space between the vertebrae and relieves pressure on the facet joints. As a result, there is significant potential for reductions in pain and discomfort that is associated with pressure in the discs, the facet joints, or a narrowing of the spinal canal.

Back muscle activity reduces when resting in the most reclined position in Elysium. No effect on muscle activity was found for a conventional recliner chair.

The reductions found in back muscle activity for the maximum reclined position are consistent with people’s experience of Elysium, where a release of tension in the back and neck muscles is often reported. This can be a source of pain and discomfort.

The back muscles are also a source of compressive force acting on the spine.

3D anatomical data taken from human skeletal pelvises were remodelled by Elysium’s designer, Dr. Wickett. From this analysis, he developed a new insight into the geometry of the pelvic spinal architecture and how this varies between people of different sizes, and between men and women.

Based on his study, Dr. Wickett developed a complex 3D mesh surface for the backrest, and a design principle for its underlying structures. This directly informed the design of the Elysium chair.