Back Bracing

A back support brace is a device that will help you in one of two ways. It can support your upper back and help you to maintain proper posture. This in turn will help you to avoid (or treat) lower back pain that may result from improper curvature (lordosis) of your spine. Second, if you frequently carry heavy loads, a back support brace can help by providing lumbar support that will directly relieve your lower back pain.

Lordosis refers to the normal curvature of your spine. It reduces the load on your lower back caused by the weight of your upper body. Many people fail to maintain proper lordosis by “hunching” their shoulders forward as they walk or sit. A back support brace for the upper back can help you to keep your shoulders straight.  As a result, you will maintain proper posture that will reduce the risk of experiencing lower back pain. Another name for this type of back braces is a “posture brace”

Lower back braces are worn around the lumbar area. The thinking behind these back support braces is that they reduce forces on your spine and increase intra-abdominal pressure. These back braces are also called “back belts” or “lumbar support belts”. If your job requires you to frequently lift heavy objects, you should probably look into wearing a back belt. It may help you to keep your spine stable while lifting and thus avoid back injuries. However, you should nevertheless be careful to maintain proper lifting technique and keep your spine straight while lifting.