Adjustment of the bed to suit each individual is made for the purpose of arriving at the body's most comfortable position and ensuring what is physiologically best for the form of spine. The adjustment is achieved by changing the bed's supportive surface. This adjustment is brought about in the following way:
a) by moving the transverse three supportive elements along guiding side elements
b) moving the foot rest along the bed's longitudinal axis
c) adjusting the cross-braces of the head rest d) adjusting the height of the popliteal point if the foot rest
e) adjusting the height of the foot rest near the heel f) adjusting the foot rest along the calves
g) adjusting the tension of the longitudinal flexible ribbons

   Changing the transverse supportive elements is needed to match the characteristic bends of the body's curvature. In the construction of the bed use is made of two moveable transverse supportive elements (from the head).
 
   The first is placed on the point between neck and thoracic parts of the spine. This element is the basis for positioning the head rest.
 
   The second is placed at the point between pelvis and thigh. In the correct position the patient must feel equally distributed pressure on the waist. The degree of pressure of the waist support is regulated by moving the second regulatory element. Moving it from the waist towards the legs increases the pressure on the waist. In the opposite direction the pressure is reduced. The essential condition of correct adjustment is positioning the patient so that waist support exactly coincides with the point of maximum curvature of the lumbar part of the spine. The method of adjusting the transverse supportive elements is described in the following section. Moving these elements must be flat and parallel, without any distortion. Adjustment of the foot rest along the longitudinal axis of the bed is made for the correct position of the calves on the foot rest. This adjustment is achieved by screwing the nuts along the thread of the bolts which connect the base of the foot rest with the bed frame.

The necessary position of the foot rest is shown in the diagram (the third supportive element). Adjustment of the cross-braces of the head res (A) is made for correct distribution of the pressure of the supportive surface between neck and top part of back. This adjustment is achieved by shifting the supportive nuts along the cross-braces of the head rest with the corresponding shifting of the cross-braces in the apertures of the first transverse element. Adjustment of the height of the popliteal point of the foot rest (B) is made to provide the patient with the most comfortable angle between body trunk and thigh. This adjustment is done by changing the position of the front cross-braces of the foot rest, placing them in one of four possible positions. Adjustment of the height of the foot rest near the heel (C) is made to provide the patient with the most comfortable angle of the knee joint.This adjustment is achieved by moving the cross-brace wheel support of the foot rest (one of three fixed positions). Adjustment of the length of the foot rest along the calves is made according to the length of each individual's leg between knee and ankle. The position of the calves on the supportive surface of the foot rest must be in accordance with the illustration. Adjusting the tension of the longitudinal flexible ribbons on which the transverse ribs sit to provide the supportive surface is essential, as during use the flexible ribbons become over-stretched and this results in a loss of tension. Restoration of tension to the ribbons. The ribbons are made of such a material that their tension can be restored simply by moistening them with water. Altering the tension of the ribbons can also be done by loosening or tightening the screws securing the ends of the flexible ribbons to the ring. Advice for use of the Gravitrin bed Incorrect position of the person on the bed can prevent a positive effect from use of the bed and, in some cases, may worsen the patient's condition. To exclude this possibility it is essential to fulfill the following two basic requirements: a) The place of maximum curvature of the spine in the waist region must be positioned exactly on the waist support b) The head rest must be positioned in such a way that its protuberance coincides exactly with the point of maximum curvature of the neck part of the spine. SchemaRegulirovkiGravitrinPodPacienta.jpg The first condition (a) will be met if the procedure of positioning on the bed is in conformity with the recommendation illustrated below. To fulfill the second condition (b) before the patient is put on the bed it is necessary previously to measure the distance between points of maximum curvature of the spine in the waist and neck regions. The head rest is then placed on the bed in such a way that the distance between the center of its protuberance and the center of the waist support must correspond exactly with the individual measurements. Incidentally, it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that under the pressure of the head the head rest moves 15 - 20 mm towards the waist. The procedure for arranging the person on the bed must be as follows:
1) The patient must sit down on the supportive surface between the waist support and the second transverse (buttocks) supportive element in the middle of the width of the bed
2) In the sitting position, leaning on the elbow rests, it is necessary to turn and place the calves on the supportive surface of the foot rest along the longitudinal axis of the bed
3) Holding on to the elbow rests, lower the body to the bed's supportive surface and (in a lying position) correct your position in such a way that waist support exactly coincides with the point of maximum curvature of the waist.
As a result, the patient must be placed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the bed, the arms must be freely positioned along the body on the elbow rests. The patient must feel comfortably positioned and must also feel slight pulling sensation in the abdominal muscles. The greatest pulling effort is achieved if the patient is as lightly dressed as possible. It is advisable to cover the patient with a sheet or blanket to keep in the warm air generated by the heater. The heater should be switched off five minutes before the end of the procedure. The most effective influence of the bed is brought about when the body's muscles are most relaxed. The recommended duration of the prophylactic procedure is 15 - 20 minutes. When the bed is used as a therapeutic method the duration and frequency of the procedures is to be prescribed in accordance with special instructions by the patient's own doctor. Use of the bed results in active hydration of the intervertebral discs and their enlargement. Consequently, the length of the spine and the person's height increase. The curvature of the spine becomes normal. Cases have been recorded of an increase in the length of the spine and the person's height of 10 - 20 mm and more after only one procedure. Regular use of the bed makes this height increase permanent.