Changing position with less effort is the central need of anyone looking for a chair for Multiple Sclerosis and fatigue. The chair does not cure the disease and does not replace physiotherapy or clinical guidance, but it can perform some repetitive movements on the person’s behalf: raising the legs, reclining the backrest, tilting the entire chair body, moving to a lying rest position and assisting the stand-up.
Conserving energy means using the available strength for what really matters: washing, eating, talking with the family, going out, working or doing a pleasant activity. In fatigue management the concept of “pacing” is often used, that is, alternating activity and rest without waiting to be completely exhausted. Sollevita can fit into this logic because it offers independent electric adjustments and a seat built to the person’s measurements.
Using Sollevita over a variable day means always having a fully equipped chair, not a basic version to be completed. The 180° bed, Zero Gravity, Push Head, footrest extension, removable and pull-out armrest, lithium battery and wheeled trolley for moving with the person on board are already part of the product designed by Poltrone La Castellana.
In brief
- Reducing manual repositioning can leave more energy for the daily activities chosen by the person.
- Adjusting the backrest, footrest and tilt with the motors avoids repeatedly pushing with the arms and trunk.
- Scheduling breaks in Zero Gravity or the 180° bed can be more practical than transferring to the bedroom every time.
- Customising width, depth and footrest extension prevents a wrong posture from wasting energy unnecessarily.
- Assessing the better and worse days helps to choose a chair that is useful today and consistent with possible future changes.
Conserving energy during position changes: what it means in practice
Moving from reading to rest can become tiring when the person has to push with the arms, drag the pelvis or ask for help to arrange cushions and footrest. Sollevita’s independent motors allow you to change one element at a time, so the person can look for an intermediate position without performing a single wide and tiring movement.
Raising the legs with the remote control avoids taking a stool, moving it, lifting the limbs manually and regaining balance. The footrest extension included in the equipment also helps to better support the legs when height requires a longer surface.
Reclining the backrest without pulling on the armrests makes it easier to interrupt an active posture. The electric movement can be stopped at various points, a useful feature when tolerance to a position changes between morning, afternoon and evening.
Tilting the entire chair allows you to change the body’s angle while keeping the relationship between seat and backrest more stable. In Multiple Sclerosis this function should be described as an aid to comfort and posture management, not as a treatment for stiffness or spasms.
A day organised around fatigue, not against fatigue
| Time of day | Practical activity | Possible use of Sollevita |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Getting up and getting ready without immediately using up all your strength | Active seating, stable armrests and progressive lift |
| After lunch | Taking a break without reaching the bedroom | Zero Gravity or intermediate reclining |
| Afternoon | Resting longer when tiredness increases | 180° bed with the Push Head adjusted to the head |
| Evening | Returning to the seated position when the arms are tired | Independent movements and assisted stand-up |
| Difficult day | Receiving help without constant transfers | Vertical lift, side access and caregiver adjustments |
Scheduling a break before the complete drop can make the day more predictable. The person does not have to wait until they have no strength left to recline the chair: they can use a rest position at the first signs of fatigue and gradually return to the active seated position.
Alternating posture and activity does not mean staying still all day. It means preventing the simple act of adjusting the chair from consuming the energy that could be used for a meal, a phone call or a few steps around the house, always respecting the guidance of the professionals following the person.
Zero Gravity and the 180° bed: two different breaks
Using Zero Gravity means reclining the entire chair body and raising the pelvis and legs above heart level. This position can encourage a feeling of relief and make resting with raised legs more comfortable, but it should not be presented as a cure for fatigue or circulatory problems.
Using the 180° bed means creating a truly flat surface when a short break is not enough. The bayonet-mounted backrest reclines to the horizontal position and, together with the footrest extension, can avoid the repeated transfer to the bed for every afternoon rest.
Adjusting the Push Head means supporting the head differently depending on the position. When seated it can accompany reading and television; when reclined it can prevent the person from having to build support with several cushions that shift during rest.
The correct seating avoids spending energy just to stay composed
Resting the feet and back well reduces the need to correct oneself continuously. A seat that is too deep can leave the back away from the backrest; a seat that is too short can poorly support the thighs; an unsuitable width can limit movements or make the position less stable.
Customising Sollevita means choosing between a seat width of 52 or 63 cm, three available depths, capacities from 180 up to 350 kg and 5 or 6 independent motors depending on the version. These data must be connected to height, weight, body proportions and the number of hours spent in the chair.
Supporting the pelvis for many hours requires more than a simple soft foam. The triple-layer seat combines a sprung frame, a cushion with pocket springs and an upper comfort layer, with the aim of offering an initial welcoming feel without losing stability during prolonged use.
Cleaning a chair used every day must be simple. The fully bi-removable cover, the stain-removable and washable fabrics and the anti-fray edges make it possible to manage the upholstery over time without treating hygiene as a secondary problem.
When Multiple Sclerosis changes: choosing for future days too
Assessing only the best day can lead to choosing a chair that is too simple. The consultation should also describe what happens when fatigue increases: who adjusts the position, how difficult it is to get up, whether the person rests in the bedroom, whether they use a walker or wheelchair and whether a caregiver intervenes at the most demanding moments.
Assessing only the worst day, on the other hand, can underestimate the desire for autonomy. Sollevita can be used directly by the person in moments of greater strength and offer more support when the day becomes difficult, without turning the home into a hospital environment.
Buying in advance does not necessarily mean expecting a worsening. It means choosing a product capable of offering premium comfort even when the person is independent, and assistive functions when the routine requires more help.
A concrete example: saving energy to go out in the afternoon
Getting ready to go out can require more energy than it seems: washing, dressing, eating and reaching the door are already a demanding sequence. A person with Multiple Sclerosis may therefore decide to spend the after-lunch time in Zero Gravity, avoiding walking to the bed and getting up again after an additional transfer.
Returning to the active seated position can happen in small steps: first the Push Head is adjusted, then the backrest, then the footrest and finally the stand-up. The sequence reduces the need to push with the arms and leaves the person more control over the pace.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing
- Choosing a very soft seat without checking whether the pelvis stays stable after an hour.
- Measuring only the width and ignoring depth, foot support and leg length.
- Considering fatigue as the same every day and trying the chair at a single favourable moment.
- Adding random cushions before checking the adjustment of the backrest and the Push Head.
- Presenting Zero Gravity or the 180° bed as therapies instead of as tools for comfort and organising the day.
What the Sollevita service assesses
Describing a typical week allows customer service to understand when the person feels stronger, how many hours they remain seated, which movements consume more energy and who intervenes in difficult moments. Age, height, weight, width, depth, use of the table, available space and the possible evolution of the need are assessed together.
Exploring the Sollevita assistive chair lets you see the complete functions and start a technical assessment built on the real routine, not just on the name of the diagnosis.
Relying on Poltrone La Castellana also means having Italian production, over fifty years of experience, modular components, spare parts and a full 3-year warranty. In a product used every day, after-sales matters as much as the first trial.
To prepare a useful consultation, note down over seven days the moments of greatest fatigue, the breaks, the transfers avoided and the most tolerated positions.
The Sollevita team will assess together with you height, weight, hours seated, width, depth, use of the remote control, home space and the presence of the caregiver.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change position when my arms are tired?
The independent motors let you adjust the backrest, footrest and tilt via the control pad. The sequence should be tried calmly to work out which buttons and which positions are easiest for the person.
Does Zero Gravity eliminate the fatigue of Multiple Sclerosis?
No. It can offer a more comfortable position and raise the pelvis and legs, but it does not change the disease and does not replace the strategies agreed with the healthcare team.
Is the 180° bed useful even if the person still walks?
Yes, when the person wants to rest without making the transfer to the bed every time. Its usefulness depends on habits and the number of breaks during the day.
Why are three seat depths needed?
Because people of the same width can have very different thigh lengths. The correct depth helps to rest the back without compressing the area behind the knee.
Is Sollevita suitable only in advanced stages?
No. It can be chosen by independent people for superior comfort and advanced adjustments, or by families who want a chair capable of accompanying variable needs.
Should I talk to a doctor about persistent fatigue?
Yes. New, unexplained or increasing fatigue always deserves a medical evaluation. The chair can better organise your movements, but it does not identify the cause of the tiredness.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I change position when my arms are tired?
The independent motors let you adjust the backrest, footrest and tilt via the control pad. The sequence should be tried calmly to work out which buttons and which positions are easiest for the person.
Does Zero Gravity eliminate the fatigue of Multiple Sclerosis?
No. It can offer a more comfortable position and raise the pelvis and legs, but it does not change the disease and does not replace the strategies agreed with the healthcare team.
Is the 180° bed useful even if the person still walks?
Yes, when the person wants to rest without making the transfer to the bed every time. Its usefulness depends on habits and the number of breaks during the day.
Why are three seat depths needed?
Because people of the same width can have very different thigh lengths. The correct depth helps to rest the back without compressing the area behind the knee.
Is Sollevita suitable only in advanced stages?
No. It can be chosen by independent people for superior comfort and advanced adjustments, or by families who want a chair capable of accompanying variable needs.
Should I talk to a doctor about persistent fatigue?
Yes. New, unexplained or increasing fatigue always deserves a medical evaluation. The chair can better organise your movements, but it does not identify the cause of the tiredness.
