Millions of people suffer from back pain and the pandemic has further aggravated the scenario. Back pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain and varies from person to person. Therefore, back support or braces should be equally diverse. An essential solution to ease pain and discomfort is using a back brace. Back braces are helpful in numerous conditions such as acute sprain or strain, facet syndrome, bulging or herniated disc, postural back pain, etc.
Are you wondering how to choose or which is the right brace for you? Read on to more about selecting the right brace to get rid of your back pain.
Back support or back braces are an integral part of the healing process of your injured or distressed lower back. The most important factor to consider when choosing a back brace is which specific area of the back you want to focus the support.
You may find several options for back braces; but most of the back braces are flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid. Almost all back braces are made of similar materials, however, they differ in their rigidity and postural control.
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Rigid brace: It offers the highest level of support and stability for the spine; they are hard and unbendable. Hard plastic or metal bars are used for providing maximum support. Rigid braces are perfect for people who either have severe pain or in the process of recovery from injury or if their back requires to be mostly immobilized. This type of brace provides relief by applying firm pressure that shifts from the spinal column.
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Flexible brace: It offers firm support by using softer materials such as cotton, canvas, neoprene, etc. These braces are flexible, allowing more movement and these are used by people who need more versatile back support. It works by applying light pressure to the torso that promotes posture adjustment and takes the weight off the spine. It helps in limiting excessive movement, reducing bending and twisting, and provides compression that stabilizes the spine in weak joints. Flexible braces are available in various designs and sizes including compression braces, lumbar belts, and sacroiliac belts.
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Semi-rigid brace: It is a combination of both rigid and flexible braces which is typically done by adding rigid supports or extra stiff padding to the body of a flexible brace. This extra support is removable and allows the user to customize the level of stability to their unique needs. Semi-rigid braces are used to relieve mild or moderate pain.
What are the factors to be considered when choosing back braces?
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Cause or source of pain– The first step in selecting a back brace is identifying the major source of your pains or discomfort.
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Support level– If the intensity of your pain is more, you will require more support. On the other hand, if your pain is mild, a more bendable brace will suffice.
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Comfort– It is the most important reason for getting a back brace.
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Durability– A back brace must be strong enough to either restrict your movement or adapt to it and must last a long time.