Living with back pain is something far too many Americans are familiar with. Don’t let back pain limit you from doing what you love. Support your spine and back health to ensure a firm foundation for your body.
At AdventHealth, we care for you in body, mind and spirit. Our skilled providers understand that living with back pain can severely limit your abilities. Using a back brace might be what you need to get back on track to live life at your own pace.
Read on to learn more about the positive correlations between spine health and back braces and when it’s right for you to consider wearing one.
The Purpose of a Back Brace
Whether an injury causes it or it simply seems to come out of nowhere, back pain is likely something you’ve experienced. The good news is that wearing a back brace might be just what you need to recover. Back braces offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Decreasing stress on the spine
- Helping injuries to heal quicker
- Helping you maintain good posture
- Restricting twisting and bending motions that cause discomfort
The additional support of a back brace can make all the difference in your recovery process. There are, however, different types of back braces. Two common back braces are rehabilitative braces and functional braces. Rehabilitative braces are often used following surgery to help support surrounding muscles, protect the injured area from unnecessary movement and reduce swelling. Functional braces are frequently worn for everyday activities and exercises. These braces can provide compression to stabilize the spine, give enough support to lessen pain when performing certain movements and can easily be worn under clothing during any activity.
When Is a Back Brace Right for You?
Knowing when to wear a back brace can significantly reduce injury and help you return to your everyday life. Wearing a back brace might be right for you if:
- You want more support
- You want to improve your posture
- You want to reduce muscle tension and strain
If you’re experiencing back pain, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You can implement plenty of lifestyle changes to reduce back pain and even prevent future injuries.
Back braces can especially be helpful if you have the following conditions:
- Osteoarthritis of the spine
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis
- Vertebral compression fractures
If you’ve been diagnosed with any of these conditions, contact your doctor to talk about next steps and treatment plans. However, it’s important to note that wearing a back brace may not be right for everybody. Talk with your doctor to learn what’s best for you.
How To Get the Most From Your Brace
The best way to utilize your back brace is to view it as an aid, not a cure. While back braces offer a variety of benefits, they ultimately can’t heal your back completely. Wearing a back brace can supply the necessary support while you pursue other healing methods like strength building. It’s important to avoid dependency on a brace to ensure optimal healing. Your back brace can provide temporary relief from your pain to safely explore the root cause with your doctor and find what treatment plan will work for you to provide long-term relief.
Helping You Embrace the Right Back Support
From minor back aches to severe spinal pain, our expert care team is here to care for you in body, mind and spirit. To learn more about our spine health care or to find a doctor, visit us here. You deserve a pain-free life.
