The Chi Swing

I started using this Chi swing machine today in hopes that it helps my lymphedema. I researched several and settled on this Sunpentown model. Others cost way more than I wanted to spend, $150 - $500. This was around $80. I'm a little leery, especially because I haven't read anything that says that it will help lower-extremity lymphedema, which is why I bought it, but what little research I've done suggests that it gets the legs moving at a decent enough pace that I think it should help the lymph nodes drain. So I'm hopeful.

The machine is more robust than what I thought it would be. It's actually pretty heavy duty, and the motor is powerful. The plastic grooves hurt my ankles, so I put a folded towel on that part of the machine, and that helped. The remote is handy; it has settings for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. And it has a speed control where you can increase or decrease the pace incrementally. There's also an "auto" button that alternates between about 10 seconds of a slower swing and 10 seconds of a faster pace.

The swinging itself was more rapid than I expected, even at the lowest speed, but it was easy to get used to. I set the timer for five minutes, and it went quickly. The machine suddenly stopped and turned itself off. Just to make sure I didn't break it, I hit the on-off button on the remote, and the machine started swinging again.

After the session I felt more relaxed than I had going into it, although not whole lot. I expect that as I get used to it and increase the time, I will feel a stronger effect. I'm not into the whole chi thing, but I believe in the relaxation that movement brings. So even if this machine doesn't help my lymphedema, it should be a low-impact relaxation aid.

Sunpentown AB-07 Swing Machine- Balance CHI, Release Built-Up Tension and Get a Full Body Workout!