Lumbar Supports

Lumbar Belts

These are forms of back braces which assist in the treatment of lumbar pain. They are generally constructed with a light fabric such as strong cotton and are simply fitted around the user's waist. They are readily adjustable by the use of laces on the back or side. In order to give optimum support for all kinds of low back difficulties, they are made in various sizes.

Rigid Braces

These include the Thoracolumbar-Sacral Orthosis and the Boston Overlap, which are custom-made with plastic molding done precisely according to the user's shape. As long as it fits well, the user should still be able to maintain 50 percent to their spinal motion. This class of brace means that it is heavy and warm for the user.

Corset Braces (Elastic Braces)

This style of brace works by limiting back motion. Unlike rigid braces, they are made from light materials and are cool to wear. They function by limiting the user's movements and working as a prompt for good body posture and the use of the leg muscles in cases when the user is picking something heavy up.

Different types of lumbar back braces

Rigid lumbar braces
These are lumbosacral supports that are generally used by people who have undergone spinal surgery. They are also used by those who have spine issues caused by scoliosis or such illnesses so as to prevent the spine from curving. They mobilize the back muscles and promote stability.

They have vertical metal or plastic vertical posts at the back that have the shape of your pelvis and low back. They also have bands that lay on the upper back. It helps to transfer weight from the spine due to the fabric straps that put pressure on the abdomen. These are usually very heavy and they limit movement. Many doctors do not recommend them.

Corset braces
These are more flexible as compared to the rigid lumbar braces. They have long ties and straps for the shoulder that are used to support the body properly. They come in different sizes. The shorter ones are used for lower back issues whereas the longer ones are used for middle back issues. They have laces that are used to tighten them on the side, front or back. They are made of cotton or nylon and are quite comfortable. They work by increasing pressure around the abdomen area, thus reducing the amount of weight placed on the sensitive areas of the spine.

Though they are made of lightweight cloth they may have metal bars that give reinforcement to prevent movement. The metal bars can be added or removed depending on your treatment needs. This will be determined by the doctor.

Hyper-extension braces
These lumbosacral supports are used after a spinal fusion surgery. They are basically designed to prevent excessive bending of the back. This helps the spine to heal well. They are also proven to help in getting rid of frontal compression fractures by stretching the spine and helping it to stay constant. They treat pain that occurs when the upper back meets with the lower back. They limit the movement in these two regions of the spine.

They have a metal frame that goes over the front of the body. This puts pressure on the pubic bone as well as the chest. They also have 3 pads that help to stabilize the spine and prevent you from moving forward. One pad is located around the abdominals, another up on the chest and the third covers the affected area.

Though it does not allow bending, you can still bend to the side and rotate.

Soft lumbar corsets
These are majorly used by people who suffer from lower spine injuries. Also, those who suffer from arthritis may have these lower back pains and the soft lumbar corsets are recommended for them. They are not good for long term use as they can weaken the lumbar muscles. They are only to be worn when one is performing certain activities.

Elastic braces
These supports are used to treat any medical issues. They give support and stability of the spine. This is done by limiting the movement of the back muscles, which is important after having a back surgery. They help to maintain the body posture and also support the back muscles when doing manual labor such as lifting heavy objects. Elastic wraparounds have one-way stretch contour elastic sacral pads. They are sized according to the hip measurement and are designed to support the pelvic girdle. They are lightweight and easy to wear and also very comfortable on the body.

The lumbosacral back braces are worn around the waist up to the hip joints. That come in different sizes and most of these are adjustable for proper fit. The most important thing is to wear them according to the doctor’s instructions.

How lumbosacral, back braces can help you.

• Braces that are used immediately after surgery are good for stabilization of the spine.
• Lumbar support braces can be very helpful after an injury on the lower back since they inhibit movement of the spine and lower back. This allows the spinal joints to be relieved of pressure.
• They allow the body to transition comfortably from a sitting to standing position during when the back is painful.
• In the case of labor intensive jobs, it is easy to for you to return to your job without much strain on the spine.

Uses of lumbar back braces

Posture support
This is the relative posture of the spine when one is in an upright position. For one to maintain a healthy back it is important for the spine to have proper alignment. Pain, injury, structural deformities and weakness can lead to an abnormal posture. Back braces can be used to maintain normal curvature and shape if the spine. It works by correcting the abnormal posture and reducing the chances of poor spine conditions.

Controlling of back pain
Most people who have back health problems complain of pain. This pain is caused by movement of the spine in positions that are stressed and cause damage to the structure of the back. Back braces help to control the pain and limit the movements. They allow the damaged structures to heal. That also works by doing away with pain symptoms by compressing the abdominal area. This takes off the pressure from the inter-vertebral discs and other structures along the spinal column.

Immobilization
Some of the back conditions require the back to be stopped from moving for some period of time. These are such as fractures, and surgical fusions of the spine. The braces help to reduce motion around the affected area and allows healing to take place. Without these braces, the healing may take longer or even lack to take place. These braces work by reducing motion, such as rotation, flexion or extension depending on the type of injury.

Stabilizing the spine
This is needed, especially after a spinal surgery. The back braces are used to help keep the spine in the correct position to allow a normal posture. The braces keep the back intact to allow healing of the spine with the correct position and avoid deformation.

Lumbosacral back braces should be used by people who suffer from ruptured discs, lumbar muscle pain, discogenic back pain, lumbar spine arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and osteoporosis.