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MEDesign Backfriend Reviews for the product - MEDesign Backfriend -
142 Product Reviews - Average rating 4.9 / 5 (Best Rated | Worst Rated | Most Recent | Oldest)
Wonderful product
- 05/01/2015
I have 3 of these and they are really friends. Ï must have acquired the first one about 20 years ago following 2 lower back operations.
I find that it makes all the difference when driving the car as well as sitting in chairs that are too low and too deep.
They are also excellent to sit in chairs in the garden ( not deckchairs)
SATISFACTION
- 29/09/2014
I purchased one of your Backfriends 3 months ago. When it arrived I thought, this is going to be absolutely useless. How wrong can I be. Very quickly I found that using it in my car made all the difference. Before I purchased this I could only drive for about 15 miles before the back pain set in. At home I could not sit for more than 20/30 minutes before being so uncomfortable that I had to get up and walk around. I have only used the backfriend in my car not in the house. 6 weeks ago I made 2 journeys of over 200 miles each and got out of my car with no back pain at all. Something else I have just noticed is that I can sit in my chair at home now for about 60 to 90 minutes with no pain. I cannot thank you enough for making this wonderful device, it has brought back the joys of motoring. Many thanks.
Backfriend sent to Canada
- 04/08/2014
This is just to let you know the Backfriend you recently shipped to Oakville, Ontario arrived safe and sound. My wife, for whom I purchased the Backfriend, was at work. I drove to her place of work and left it with her.

When she drove home, her smile said it all. It has already made a huge difference to her comfort level.

Many thanks for a superb product. We shall tell our friends.
Best Purchase Ever
- 01/08/2014
My back friend is the best thing I ever bought. I used to get regular back spasms that left me twisted and in agony but since getting a back friend five years ago I haven't had any trouble at all. I use it in my reclining chair and it works a treat. Thank you for a brilliant product.
backfriend
- 21/05/2014
I cannot believe the difference the backfriend has made to me and mum. I have arthritis in my back and spend all day in my car as part of my job. I used to have constant pain as soon as I sat in the car, but not anymore. The backfriend I use has all but stopped the backpain. I now carry it with me if I need to sit. I have bought one for mum and another to use at home. The customer service was also fantastic, all I can say is THANK YOU.
Amazing
- 20/05/2014
I purchased the Backfriend 2 weeks ago and cannot believe the difference, my sister has been telling me to buy one for years, she loves hers, I wish I had, I have loaned my daughter mine as she suffers terribly and within hours of using it she has asked me to get her one, Anyone with back problems should invest, they may seem expensive but are worth every penny
Back Saver!
- 04/05/2014
I can no longer sit in soft chairs or sofas due to degeneration of the lower spine. This presented a problem for me when visiting my children in another state because they have nothing but plush sofas and chairs. Now I will be able to visit them with my Backfriend and be quite comfortable in their sofas. I also have found using it on my Dining Room chairs is much more comfortable for my back.
MEDesign Backfriend
- 09/03/2014
Excellent produce the second I have purchased. It provides optimum back support for me when driving.
Brilliant
- 27/02/2014
I ordered my Backfriend on Tuesday night and it was here Thursday morning! Thank you. It's Heaven for my back!
Transforms a cheap chair to orthopaedic
- 08/02/2014
Lower back pain used to bend me almost double if I sat for long on my office chair or in my soft armchair. A good-quality supportive office chair would have cost me hundreds of pounds. For 60-odd quid, the Backfriend transformed my Ikea (?30) office chair into something I can sit on for long periods without any resulting pain. Amazingly, it did the same for my armchair with soft back cushion, though here I do need to resettle the Backfriend just occasionally in the course of an evening, as it slips (only very, very slightly) under the base of the soft cushion (under my 14 stone weight), and only after some time. The best armchair for back-pain sufferers has a RRP of ?1200. I now don't need to spend this amount. I have replaced one hinge in 15 months. They are cheap, so I have laid in a stock. All in all, I reckon the investment of ?61 has saved me ?1.5-?2K in spending on 2 new chairs.
back friend hinges & hinge locks
- 07/02/2014
Reply from Neil Walkingshaw, General Manager at MEDesign:

Many thanks for your post on the subject of hingelocks and older Backfriends. Your comments are greatly appreciated but just to clarify the new hingelocks WILL fit all Backfriends (even very old ones).

On very old Backfriends such as yours there is a slight amendment to the standard fitting instructions. Take the two pronged part of the hingelock set. At the base where the prongs are connected, there is a small v shaped grove/snap line. Flex the prongs (or you can carefully cut along the grove with a pair of scissors) until they separate into two parts - remove any sharp edges created from the separated parts.

Insert prongs through the backrest and then fit as per instructional video on the website product page but using the upper groove on the locking component.

This information is also posted on the hingelock ordering page on the website.

Hope this advice helps.

Original post from Customer:

It all arrived safely & well with in the 5 working days. The only thing I wish to say is that the hinge locks do not fit my back friend as the holes are too wide for the lock to fit. I imagine they are only useful for a newer version of my seat which wasn't mentioned on the web site. Fortunately I only needed to replace the hinges & still have the metal screws.
I have nothing but praise for my back friend which I purchased back in the mid 1990's after suffering a slipped disc & do not go anywhere with out it. It is FANTASTIC Thankyou
Great product
- 24/01/2014
Would recommend this product to anyone who suffers from back pain
Back friend
- 11/01/2014
I have had my backfriend with a fleece cover for a long time, and apart from changing the hinges occasionally I find that I can sit without discomfort for a long period of time, also getting spare hinges very quickly after ordering. I have recommended this product to many of my friends and club members.
Backfriend delivery
- 27/12/2013
Amazing! Ordered Mon 23/12 delivered next day before 3 pm.
great product, great service
- 11/12/2013
I was delighted to receive my Backfriend very quickly and at such a good price.

I could not be without my Backfriend and have only just replace my original one which I bought over 25 years ago!!!
Feedback
- 24/10/2013
This had been recommended to me, but I thought it seemed a bit expensive. However, I had a chance to try one out during a week-long meditation retreat, and the experience prompted me to buy one for myself.
Excellent service : product arrived in good time, well packaged and with clear instructions.
I've been using it for 3 days now, and already feel a difference. Back pain much reduced and posture improved.
Thanks!
Great for Meditation
- 12/09/2013
I was on a meditation retreat where i got to use the Backfriend. It creates the perfect posture for my meditation as I need to use a chair, and I feel that it has made great improvements in the quality of my meditations.
Great product
- 30/08/2013
Ordered a new backfriend yesterday afternoon - told 3-5 days delivery - it was delivered this morning at 8.45 am. Excellent service. I have a backfriend in the car and at home, my husband uses one at work. I take it to the theatre, on the aeroplane, anywhere I need it. It makes such a difference and supports the back brilliantly. I have recommended it to many people who have bought one too.
Just think you should modernise your marketing photos! Otherwise I can't praise the product and the company enough. Thankyou.
Just what I needed
- 12/08/2013
Found out about this when I was surfing the Web. Bought a Backfriend 2 weeks ago just before going on holiday. It was great. I was doing a lot of driving and what a difference it made. Kept me sitting upright, no slouching, with the result that my back was not sore the whole time I was away. Also use it at home as couches are quite soft and at my church which made sitting so much more comfortable. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone. Thank you.
Couldn't do without it!
- 06/08/2013
I have been using my Backfriend for years, on the sofa, at the table, on long and short haul flights, in restaurants, etc. I have recommended it to many of my friends and can honestly say that it has been the best thing for pain relief I have ever bought! I couldn't do without it. The service I have received from MEDesign has been faultless, always helpful and friendly. Thank you!
Physio recommendation
- 28/07/2013
I have used a Backfriend for years, I own three and have recommended them to many of my friends and patients. I use them in cars, restaurants, theatres, at home on the sofa and office chair and on aeroplane seats. In fact the Backfriend been round the world in it's carrycase with me several times! I wouldn't go anywhere without it as I believe it keeps my back problem at bay. A really good investment.
BackFriend review
- 18/07/2013
I have used the seat now for about 5 months. I had mixed feelings about the seat during the initial few weeks. Hence the reason I have not given you a review before.

I have suffered many years with not only lower back but also upper back pain. In other words, the whole of my left side is troublesome. I have undergone osteopathy treatment and this pain is now reduced to a manageable discomfort. The seat when driving caused the upper back pain to return and being left sided, gear changing was very uncomfortable. However, since the seat has removable links, I removed the links and used only the bottom part of the seat. This has really been a comfortable setup for me and the upper back pain has now settled down.

Few weeks back during gardening I have unfortunately done something to my lower back again and now the sciatic nerve on the right is giving me a lot of pain and some numbness in the toes. But the base of your seat is the best thing for this. The only place I can currently be comfortable and pain free is when driving the car! Superb seat and very well constructed and strong and I am so glad I found a solution.

Given 4 stars as I couldn't use the whole seat and I am left with an unused back rest. Otherwise it would have been 5 stars.

Many thanks for this product.
Say goodbye to backaches
- 18/07/2013
This was recommended to me by a friend. I used to have constant lower backaches during long journeys in the car, or at work. Now I can't drive without it!! It is light easy to carry around. Only hitch is the price, if it had been less expensive, I would have gotten another backfriend for home use....
What a relief!
- 17/07/2013
Having had unexpected surgery on a herniated disc - and having been given strict instructions on what sort of chairs to sit in and how to sit, I realised that most furniture was useless and uncomfortable. I remembered about "Backfriend" from an acquaintance. Within five days of contacting MEDesign I had my own Backfriend and it is everything I had hoped for. The service was incredible - I live in Perth, Western Australia - quite a long way from MEDesign H.Q. The service was friendly AND efficient - Thank you.
Satisfaction
- 17/07/2013
Cost with free postage was the best available found on the internet. Item was delivered quickly and as advertised. The addition of spare hinges was a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended!
Thank you!
- 05/06/2013
I have used my Backfriend since 2006, mainly as support on my sofa whilst watching Tv. It has cut down on my number of back pain episodes, and is very comfortable to use. I can honestly say it has changed my life.
Backfriend Carrycase
- 31/05/2013
Was surprised and very pleased at such quick attention and delivery - ordered Monday and received two days later. Many thanks. I take my Backfriend with me everywhere, including on holiday abroad, and will find the carry case very useful.
great product
- 14/05/2013
Hi everyone I suffer from a broken disc and have had a surgery but the pain just comes back.thanks to back friend seat it does help alot to relieve my pain and I only found this product accidentally in a car boot market but it is well worth paying for.
What a wonderful product.
- 20/04/2013
I have used Backfriends for many years in garden chairs and also in the car. I was told, after 2 lower spine operations, that I would not be able to drive without one and here I am almost 30 years on and still enjoying driving.
Super Service
- 05/04/2013
I cannot fault the service I have received from MEDesign Ltd. Suffice it to say that my Backfriend arrived before it was expected and I have used it ever since and expect to get many years of use from it. I have had a lot of comfort from it after many years of discomfort.

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