A back brace or Posture Corrector doesn’t sell like hot cakes in the market yet. But the questions regarding its use case are a hot topic on the internet.
People have been going crazy over some whens, hows, and whys in the last couple of years. The questions might seem so basic, but to be very honest, the answers are not.
Today, I’ll help you break down the topic. Of course, I can’t promise you that you’ll become the “know-it-all” guy in the end. But let me assure you, you’ll have all the required knowledge to use the product with full potential.
First of all, always remember that not all BACK PROBLEMS need support. Hence, avoid buying one for yourself as soon as you feel back pain. Sometimes a bag of ice is enough, believe me!
The use case (okay, I’ve said that too many times now!) of a posture corrector can be medical, non-medical, and day-to-day life. Let’s see some cases where you can consider back support for yourself.
When to consider a Back Brace?
I’ve seen people wearing back braces for regular muscle strain. Why do they do it? …I don’t know.
It’s common sense that you don’t need a back brace every time you pull a muscle. Few lunges, bridges, and cat stretches are the solutions here. So, wearing a brace in such normal cases means one thing: MISCONCEPTION.
Big media houses running on corporate payroll make it even worse. Last but not least, limited knowledge puts a cherry on top!
Voila…you have a back brace in hand that you don’t even need. Sounds bad, isn’t it?
Don’t worry. I have your back. Talking medically, there are a few specific cases where getting lower back support is a must. In those cases, doctors recommend one in the first place.
Now, we will go through some of those special cases where hooking your back with a brace is a must. If you have one of these conditions, consult with your chiropractor and get yourself one.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis in the world. It causes deep pain and stiffness in the bone joints.
Mostly, your lower back and knees will get affected. Adults, mainly older people, suffer from this kind of arthritis. Again, a corset brace can come to your aid here. This one locks your lower back to relieve spine stress.
So, if you have Osteoarthritis, you must consult with a doctor and get one for yourself.
Herniated Disc
Rubbery discs that sit between your spinal bones are called spinal disks. Herniated disk basically refers to a problem circling around it.
It causes pain and weakness in different body parts (mostly the arm and leg). Back Brace can play a great role here in reducing pain. As it provides stability and spinal support, it can provide additional support to the lower back.
This way, your lower body works less, and you feel much comfort.
Post-Surgery Healing
After back surgery, your back muscles become injury prone and less active. As a result, extra stress in the PARTICULAR area can result in much bigger problems.
Doctors recommend different kinds of braces after surgery to remain on the safe side. It provides adequate spinal support and protection. To put it simply, it gives your lower body enough time to heal.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis is a complex spinal condition where one vertebra slips on top of another vertebra. (Vertebrae contain 33 bones to construct the spinal column)
Doctors generally recommend a rigid back brace in this condition. Research shows that using a support on the lower back significantly removes pain and walking disability.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is another spinal condition where the spine curves and twists abnormally. From children to adults, anyone can be a patient. However, it initially starts from a very young age.
Our product is also helpful in this situation. Generally, a different type of rigid back braces is recommendable. These products help the patient with additional spinal support. This way, it prevents the spinal curve from getting worse.
Spinal Stenosis
It is a medical condition where your spinal canals start to get narrow. Basically, it creates pressure on the nerves flowing from your spine. Because of this, the affected person feels immense lower back pain and discomfort.
At this point of the article, you already know that wearing a back brace reduces micro-tension on the spinal column. However, if you somehow figure out the problem early, it is recommended to wear it for a couple of weeks.
Other usage of a Back Brace
In the above, I tried to name some medical conditions where you must consider the product. It is time for you to know about the application of this product in non-medical cases as well.
Posture Corrector
Nowadays, elastic braces known as “Posture Brace” are becoming famous. Basically, this works with your shoulder and forces your upper body to be in the correct place.
The mechanism is simple. It pulls your shoulder back as the ribs move forward automatically. This way, you get a straight body as an end product.
However, this is not the complete story. Recent studies have shown that a Posture Corrector is not always a “Posture Corrector.” Rather it can be portrayed as a QUICK FIX. Let me tell you why.
The moment you wear it, your posture will seem just fine. You’ll be straight as an arrow. But things go downhill as soon as you remove it. Your straight upper body is gone, and it all becomes a MOO POINT.
Moo Point refers to a moment when doing something doesn’t matter
Joey
But in the end, a poster brace doesn’t have any side effects. So, if you feel good wearing one, wear one.
Restraining Unnecessary Movements
According to different studies, unnecessary movements are the main reason behind most back pain.
Wearing a back brace restrains the micro-motion of your back. As a result, you can use your back with full potential. Also, you can move your lower back with much more freedom and relaxation.
As a biker, I am a big fan of the tool. However, my back cannot handle bike jerks for some reason (maybe my age :p). As a result, I used to feel a lot of pain after long rides.
So, I started wearing an elastic back brace two years ago. And to be very honest, it worked great. The pain pretty much went away, and I can ride more miles now.
During Pregnancy
Pregnancy bands, also known as belly bands, are becoming famous. These specific braces are made to provide lower back and abdominal support during pregnancy.
Back pain is a common problem during pregnancy. Spine Journal made a test on a thousand pregnant women, and 71% of them complained about it.
Wearing a belly band during pregnancy can uplift most of the pain. It provides adequate support to the back and the baby bump.
Heavy Lifting
Yes, wearing a back brace can be helpful for heavy lifting. But, no, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying you need to wear one every time you’re lifting something.
I am saying that it will provide you with some extra support that you might seek while lifting something heavy.
Generally, this product reduces spinal tension and increases intra-abdominal forces to counteract stress.
If you have a job that requires heavy lifting frequently, this product can help you. Using a brace can save you from the pain after a long hectic day.
In the GYM
“Overdoing in the GYM” is a mainstream thing right now. But, since “overdo” is a negative word, the result will always be PAINFUL.
A back brace can be your Knight in shining armor to make your GYM life less painful.
For example, if you’re a professional weight lifter, your maximum physical exercise would be around pulling barbells.
Barbell lifting causes extreme spinal tension. Wearing back support, in this case, can minimize the tension. As a result, you would be able to move your lower body much more freely.
Other than that, you can wear the product for other workouts as well. For example, some people wear poster braces in the gym as well.
Be Aware of “the” Fact
This is the part where I will talk about “the” negative thing about our product. It is because our product is just like other products. If you don’t know the “the” thing, it will create new problems instead of solving previous ones.
The “the” thing is, you must not be too comfortable with a brace. Let me tell you why.
The brace does great service for your lower body by decreasing spinal tension. It also gives that part of your body extra balance and support. But when you let your back have that EXTRA support for a long time, your body becomes dependent on it.
As a result, when you remove the brace, and it is time for your muscles to carry your body mass, it refuses to work with its full potential. Because now your body has become too comfortable with the product.
No matter how big of a problem you’re facing, don’t get used to wearing a back brace. Wearing one for a short time might be ok, a maximum of six months but nothing more than that.
People Also Ask About Back Brace Uses
Let me counteract the tingling sensation in your brain. Namely, I’ll answer some of the popular questions you may have in the following section!
Will wearing a back brace weaken my lower back muscles?
No, it will not. It is a myth surfing on the internet for no reason at all. There is no single medical test out there that supports the fact. Yes, wearing a brace for a long period might do some damage. But if you use one for the short-term, it will not do any harm to your lower back muscles.
Do back braces make pain worse?
Generally, doctors recommend a back brace to ease a patient’s back pain. But in some cases, it can also make your pain worse.
If you wear one surpassing your recommended period, be sure it will come back to haunt you. So, don’t overuse it, and you will be completely okay.
How many hours a day should I wear a back brace?
The answer is 15-20 minutes. It is the recommended hours by different doctors and chiropractors.
However, there are certain cases where you need to wear a brace 24/7 for two to four days. But in general, the ideal time should not exceed 20 minutes.
Can I sleep with a back brace on?
Yes, you can sleep with a back brace on. Sometimes people feel pain lying down. If you’re one of them, you can sleep with one.
Wearing this device while sleeping can help you maintain the correct sleeping posture. This way, you will feel less back pain. So, yes, you can definitely sleep with a brace on if you feel discomfort.
Can I wear a back brace under my clothes?
Yes, you definitely can. Back braces are made so that you can easily wear them under your clothes.
But if you have a special condition, it will depend on your recommended brace. Other than that, normal elastic braces can be worn under your clothes. However, it is always better to wear a back brace under loose clothing.
Strapping it up
If you’re here, I’ll assume you’re not bored (I am an optimist). This also means you already know the actual usage of a back brace.
A back brace can be a handy medical device. However, with many different available variants, it is not easy to figure out the perfect piece for you.
For example, if you have scoliosis, buying an elastic brace won’t do your job. Instead, you’ll need the rigid one to provide necessary back support. In the above article, I’ve tried to answer some basic questions like this one.
I guess I could also clear out most of the misconceptions and myths regarding the product.
In the end, going through the whole article should give you enough information you require. Now, you should be capable of understanding the core concept of a back brace and what it is used for.
