Bracing for pain management.
We can prescribe braces to help with pain relief and to help with stability. Bracing is something we will mostly want our patients to use sparingly to avoid muscles becoming weak. If a brace is worn for extended periods of time the intrinsic support muscles can weaken, to avoid this we will advise patients to wear braces only when they are doing more vigorous activity. One case where we will advise patients to wear their brace throughout most of the day is in the case of instability of the spine or when there is a recent vertebral fracture.
Back braces for pain relief.
A back brace can provide relief from back pain and soreness that many people suffer from on an everyday basis. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life. There a variety of different reasons someone can begin to have back pain: poor posture, sports injury, hereditary, falls, overuse and heavy lifting. Back pain can also be caused by conditions such as degenerative disk disease or failed back surgery syndrome.
Choosing the correct back brace.
Choosing the correct back brace for your condition begins with a diagnosis of the condition and customized pain treatment plan implementation. There are several factors to look at after diagnosis.
Considerations when choosing a back brace are:
- Flexibility – Does your condition need flexibility?
- Ease of use – Is putting it on a simple task?
- Support – Some braces have stiff steel supports designed to limit movement. What is best for your condition?
- Material – Is the material breathable and antimicrobial?
- Feel – Does the brace feel good and provide the support needed?
Overuse of back braces.
While back braces can be extremely helpful it is also important to take a break from using braces because long-term use can have a negative effect on the muscles which can become weakened and result in further complications.