Freeman carries a wide variety of back braces to meet your needs. More than 3 million people in the U.S. suffer from some type of chronic back pain each year. Most back pain tends to be in the lower back whether from injury or deterioration. Aside from physical therapy, exercise, and medication, there are back braces or supports available.
Abdominal supports (also known as abdominal binders) can provide valuable support to the torso area. Rather than restrict movement or completely immobilize the trunk like some back braces, abdominal supports are used to provide support to the torso area. They can be especially helpful for larger or heavier individuals because abdominal supports can help to redistribute abdominal weight more evenly. This helps to take some of the stress off of the abdomen, lower back muscles, and spine. Additionally, abdominal supports can help with abdominal or lower back muscle strains, post-abdominal surgery support, and pregnancy support (usually known as Maternity Belts detailed below). Abdominal supports also can be helpful with lumbar stabilization, bariatric patients post-surgically, and those with hernia pain. Abdominal supports come in unisex as well as male and female styles and come in a wide range of styles and sizes. They usually come in cotton or other breathable fabric with Velcro straps to secure them.
Dorsolumbar brace (also known as Taylor's Brace) provides complete immobilization of the spine in a neutral position in order to allow for healing to take place. They can be used with rigid or flexible inserts according to your doctor’s instructions and your medical needs. In other words, the dorsolumbar brace can be adjusted to suit your desired level of mobility. It is used to address a variety of issues including mild thoracolumbar injuries, herniated and degenerative disc problems, a weak dorsolumbar spine, post-operative rehab, spinal cord injuries, and compression fracture of the thoracic region. The Dorsolumbar back brace provides support along the length of the spine. This brace is fastened with straps across the abdomen and can usually be worn discreetly under clothes.
Lumbosacral belts work by putting pressure on the abdominal muscles to reduce the strain on the lower back (lumbar) muscles. That pressure helps to stabilize the area and allow for support as well as healing when there is a muscle strain. Lumbosacral back braces are very popular and among the most commonly used of all back braces. They often used by people who move heavy items or spend a lot of time on their feet working. They are typically fairly easy to use and adjust. They are usually made of cotton or some other breathable material strapped around the waist using adjustable straps. This type of brace focuses on the lower lumbar region of the spine - a common area of chronic back pain. There are numerous types of lumbosacral braces in a wide range of sizes. Each provides varying kinds of relief and support for the lower lumbar and abdominal areas of the torso. The lumbosacral brace is designed to provide strong and firm support to both the sacral and lumbar areas of the spine - as well abdominal muscles. Similar to the lumbosacral brace, the Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis is a rigid, plastic brace that tightly binds the abdomen and lumbar spine. It’s used for fractures of the lumbar area or scoliosis. It significantly restricts or inhibits the mobility of the lower spine area of the torso. It’s important to note that overuse of the lumbosacral back brace can account for weakened muscle structure and it’s important that they are worn according to your doctor’s instructions.
Pregnant women can find their bellies during the later stages of pregnancy putting stress on their muscles, ligaments, and bones as the body begins to make room for the growing baby. During the later stages of pregnancy, the body will release hormones that relax the ligaments and tendons to allow the pelvic bone to begin expanding in preparation for labor. This can cause or increase lower back pain in a lot of women. A maternity belt is designed to provide additional support for the torso, spine, and abdomen as the body changes with the growing belly and weight increases and shifts. The maternity belt also can be beneficial for women carrying multiples or suffering from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). The belt will run across the abdomen above and below the belly to support the lower back by lifting the belly. This reduces the amount of strain on the lower back and torso which should help relieve back pain. Maternity Belts can be especially useful to pregnant women who spend a lot of time on their feet or work until late in their pregnancy. The belt also helps to promote good posture during the latter months of a pregnancy. The better the posture, the less likely you’ll have pain.
The Sacroiliac Belts (also known as trochanteric belts) help to stabilize the sacroiliac joint by supporting the ligaments in the pelvis rather than the muscles. The belts are designed to limit the mobility of the SI joint which in turn should reduce pain symptoms. These belts are between four to eight inches wide and made of a stretch material and worn around the hips. The Sacroiliac Belts are different than any of lumbar belts not just because of what they do but because of where they are worn. These belts will secure firmly around the pelvis area rather than the lower back. (It is important that these belts be worn as instructed.) These belts offer relief from low back pain and spasms as well as referred pain to the hip or through the leg as a result of the sacroiliac joints. It promotes the proper alignment of the pelvis. They are lightweight, adjustable, and easy to wear under your clothes. They can be custom-fitted to you after prescribed by a physician. However, these belts are not for all SI issues. Uneven leg lengths or arthritis could mean that anti-inflammatories are better prescribed than an SI belt. In some cases, a heel orthotic might be better.