Lower back pain commonly affects a large portion of the population. This pain can limit progression of activities throughout daily life, and there are noninvasive modalities such as back braces which can help reduce the pain. Back braces are best used in the acute setting of low back pain, and they are also used after a fracture and in the post-operative course for patients with spinal fusions. Finally, back braces may be used to prevent the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Back braces are often touted for removing the load from your lower back to support your abdominal muscles, restricting movement and improving posture. There is some concern that long term use of back braces can lead to weakening of the spinal muscles due to lack of use. As a result, use of back braces should be limited in time. Consumers in labor intensive jobs may use braces on a regular basis to support their lower back while lifting heavy objects.
What to Look for
Back braces come in two types: rigid or corset (flexible). Rigid braces restrict motion by up to 50 percent of normal movement. These rigid form fitting braces are plastic molds which often are custom fitted by orthotists to accommodate the individual. These braces are used to support the back after a fracture, spinal fusion or to help slow spinal curvature in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cases. Corset (flexible) braces are also used in the post-operative course for spinal fusions, and they are frequently used by people who lift heavy objects to ensure that they use their large leg muscles for lifting instead of relying on their lower back muscles.
Common Pitfalls
While long term bracing is not suitable for most people, it may be reasonable for obese individuals with weak abdominal muscles and for elderly individuals with degenerative disc disease in which the normal regimen of exercise and strength training are not well tolerated. However, if you rely solely on a brace without the use of other modalities such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle strengthening and cold therapy, your progress may be hindered significantly.
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