A back brace is a lightweight, portable assistive device that helps alleviate lower back pain.
The back brace also helps people recover quicker and better from back surgery or injury.
Our experts determined that today’s back braces provide the following benefits.
11 Benefits Of Back Braces
If you suffer from back pain or are recovering from surgery or injury a back brace may be able to help. The following are key benefits of using a back brace as determined by our health experts.
1: Back braces alleviate lower back pain in most cases.
This is the most common benefit people seek when purchasing a back brace and they are rarely disappointed. Most had little idea just how much back pain had been interfering with their normal activities until the back brace freed them of the pain. Though the brace may, in some cases, restrict range of motion being free of some or all of the pain makes that an acceptable tradeoff.
2: Back braces speed up recovery from surgery or back injuries.
In the aftermath of back surgery it’s vital that the patient doesn’t do anything that will compromise the healing process. A back brace can immobilize portions of the back in order to facilitate the recovery process (1) and prevent further damage. Those who have experienced back injuries may also need to restrict certain movements in order to allow bones, muscles, tendons and the like to heal. A back brace can help.
3: Back braces are easy to use and don’t cost a lot.
In that sense they’re both practical and cost-effective. Virtually anyone can put on a back brace and, with a bit of practice, learn how to adjust it to obtain optimal benefits. This is one of the great advantages of back braces. There are a few cautions that come with them though. Such as making sure you choose the right size and type for your body and your particular problem.
4: Back braces can help treat scoliosis.
Scoliosis (2) is a vexing condition wherein the spine develops a sideways curve that produces debilitating pain and severely limits mobility. However, if the condition is diagnosed early enough and the patient wears an appropriate back brace as part of their treatment, recovery may be possible. At the very least they should enjoy a reduction in pain and an increase in mobility.
5: Back braces can help people with arthritis regain mobility.
This is a major issue for those suffering from arthritis. Especially those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (3). While a back brace won’t cure their arthritis it can help make simply movements much easier and reduce the pain load the person has to deal with on a daily basis.
6: Back braces can help to strengthen your core.
When we’re young and full of boundless energy we give our core a thorough workout almost every day just by playing. Once we reach adulthood we become increasingly sedentary and those core stomach and back muscles become progressively weaker. This is often a contributing factor to back injuries (4). A back brace can help strengthen your core muscles which should help you avoid back problems in the long run.
7: Back braces can prevent injuries from heavy lifting.
This is important for anyone who performs manual labor such as loading trucks, doing construction work, stocking shelves or any other tasks that involve lifting weight. And speaking of lifting weight, bodybuilders often find that a good back brace helps them assume a better form and lift more effectively and confidently (5). More often than not they call these devices ‘weightlifting belts’. But in reality they’re a form of back brace.
8: Back braces can improve posture and prevent future problems.
They’re an easy and affordable way to stave off future back problems brought on by slouching. Keep in mind that slouching isn’t just something that occurs while we’re standing. It’s perhaps even more of an issue when we sit. And, since most of us spend more time sitting these days than ever before, we’re opening ourselves up to all kinds of potential long term back problems (6). The right back brace can help fend off those problems.
9: Back braces can sometimes negate the need for surgery.
That sounds like a heady claim but it’s true. If a person has been suffering chronic back pain for some time they may well wind up having to undergo surgery at some point to correct the problem. However, if they begin wearing a supportive back brace early on they may be able to correct the problem before it becomes too serious. This is especially true if the problem is posture-related, or related to heavy lifting.
10: Back braces can restore the ability to perform basic movements.
These movements, such as transitioning from a sitting to a standing position and vise versa, can often be incredibly awkward and painful for those with chronic back problems or non-specific lower back pain (7). A back brace can provide the support necessary to alleviate this pain and restore the person’s ability to perform these basic mobility tasks.
11: Back braces can help people reclaim their life.
To some people, that statement might seem like an exaggeration. But if you’ve ever experienced prolonged periods of significant back pain you know it is not. Chronic back pain can have an enervating effect on every aspect of a person’s life. It can affect their mobility, their performance at work, their relationship with their kids and their mental and emotional state. Perhaps surprisingly teenagers can be just as severely impacted by back pain as adults and often suffer depression as a result (8). A good back brace can help prevent this.
Conclusion
Back braces are assistive devices that help alleviate lower back pain, help people recover quicker from back injuries and surgery and provide relief from vexing conditions like scoliosis. Back braces are affordable, reliable, durable and simple enough for anyone to use them.