Back Support, Lumbar Support, Posture Brace, Sacroiliac Belt

The human back is a column of 24 vertebrae—7 cervical, 12 thoracic, and 5 lumbar—along with 5 fused vertebrae in the sacrum, and 4 coccygeal bones. It is also made up of soft tissue structures consisting of ligaments, muscles and tendons. The intervertebral discs act like cushions between the vertebrae to be shock absorbers. The back provides movement and stability, and in order to do this it must stay healthy through good posture, proper lifting techniques and healthy habits.

What Causes Back Pain?

Every year, back pain affects millions of people. It is an expensive problem and the second most common reason for visiting a doctor, after the flu and colds. There are many types of low back pain and each has several factors contributing to them. Back problems involving the muscles may be related to poor posture, poor physical health, a lifting injury, chronic overuse, or an improper sleeping position. These factors can cause wear and tear on the back, building up over time and affecting the whole back. They are often worse along the waist line where the large back muscles attach to the pelvis.

Disc degeneration is also a common cause of low back pain, but not as common as muscular pain. Disc problems tend to cause pain in the middle of the back, be more chronic in nature, and can come and go often. Those with disc pain flare-ups should avoid excessive lifting, bending and twisting. Disc problems can represent arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, of the disc with back pain alone, or there can be a disc herniation along with it. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is leg pain.

Back pain can occur from a single incident such as a car accident, sports injury, workplace injury, a fall, or violence. A slipped vertebrae, known as spondylolisthesis, most commonly occurs in the lower lumbar. It can compress the nerve root at that level and result in leg pain and possibly foot pain. Lumbar stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal, can cause the nerve endings to be squeezed resulting in leg tingling, pain, numbness, and difficulty walking. The sciatic nerve can become pinched or irritated from any of these conditions resulting in a burning pain or tingling sensation down the leg and possibly to the foot. The common term for this type of pain is sciatica.

What are Back Supports?

Back supports, also called lumbar support belts, are devices that give extra stability to the muscles and skeletal structure of the lower back when doing tasks that could be harmful to the health of the spine. Some back supports provide adequate support while in a seated position, and others give support while standing or walking. Do not underestimate the importance of proper lumbar support, because damage to the musculature in the lower back can result in excruciating pain. And the damage may lead to a decreased capacity to walk or even cause possible paralysis if enough damage is done to the area. Securing some type of back support when noticing slight twinges of pain in the lower back could make a substantial impact on the quality of life in future years.

There are various styles of lumbar support belts available. They range from lightweight elastic belts to those with rigid stays, and are usually four to eight inches wide. The difference in styles results in the amount of protection they offer. Most are constructed to fit easily under the clothing, making it possible to wear just about anywhere. The general design for lumbar belts resembles a girdle that fastens in the front, typically with a combination of Velcro and buckles. This makes it possible to adjust them to a comfortable fit while still providing appropriate support. Along the lower back, the belt is normally designed with extra padding to cushion the area and a non-roll pattern to keep it in place during activity.

Thicker lumbar belts are often used as a safety measure for truckers, warehouse workers, grocery store clerks, airline baggage handlers, and others who may be required to lift heavy loads as part of their daily routine. These belts make it harder to strain the muscles of the lower back while lifting. They are also a good tool for increasing the worker’s awareness while lifting, therefore reducing the chance of risky body mechanics or behavior. Since they are bulkier, they may be worn over the clothing to be more comfortable.

Thinner lumbar belts are for those who do relatively little heavy lifting but are being treated for low back pain. For those seeking relief from pain, the belts often work better than a back brace in that they encircle the entire area and make it possible for the strained muscles to relax. They can also be worn when the individual takes part in an activity that places stress on the lower back. These can be discreetly worn under the clothing.

How do I Choose a Back Support?

A back support should be slightly elastic and it may have straps that go around the shoulders for extra support. It should cover the length of the lumbar back, from just under the curve of the back down to the hips and pelvis because this is the area that is most at risk for injury due to lifting and bending. Some lumbar belts are tapered to allow twisting, while others restrict twisting motions.

*Selecting the right lumbar belt can be done with the help of a healthcare professional. They can help in understanding what qualities are needed for proper support of the lower back, based on individual hobbies and work situations.

How do I Lift Properly?

Always use proper body mechanics when lifting, even while wearing a back support.

• Place the feet shoulder width apart, this gives a stable base of support while lifting.
• Keep the back straight because bending while lifting can injure it.
• Bend the knees and squat, lift with the legs, using the leg muscles to power the lift.
• Tighten abdominal muscles to help keep the back strong.
• If help is needed, ask for it. Do not try to lift things alone that are bulky, awkward, or too heavy.
• Do not twist the back. Instead, move the feet.
• Keep the item being lifted close to the body.

How do I Keep My Back Healthy?

For a healthy back, develop healthy habits. Adopt a good posture to maintain the natural curves of the back. This includes both active/strenuous times and when sitting or standing for long periods of time. Maintain a healthy body weight because added pounds can cause added strain to the back. Improve flexibility since having flexible hamstrings can often reduce lower back discomfort. Keep a strong back by participating in a regular exercise program, but be sure and seek approval from a physician first.

To strengthen the stomach and thigh muscles, do squats. Planning a schedule to do at least 3 sets of 10-15 squats a day can alleviate low back pain. Hand weights can be added when the squats get easier. Always keep the back straight when squatting because the majority of herniated discs occur when the back is in a forward bending motion. To ensure a proper posture, start doing the squats while up against a wall, keeping the back flat against the wall while squatting.

Rehabmart is proud to offer an extensive line of high quality back supports from renowned vendors that include North Coast, Chattanooga, MagEyes, Captain Sports, Bauerfeind, Independence Medical, Core Products International Inc., United Surgical, Contour, Restorative Care of America, and others.

Mike Price, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CTO

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