How to Wear a Back Brace
Whether it is a post-surgical necessity or a posture corrector back brace, the feelings of uncomfortableness and inconvenience remains the same. But the major role it plays in immobilizing or correcting the spine or even retraining your body’s musculature, it is essential to overcome the uneasiness for the big catch. Hence comes the question, how to wear a back brace?
How To Wear a Back Brace Properly:
Posture Control Brace:
Usually used to fix the alignment of the body due to long hours of sitting, posture control braces should be worn keeping the following things in mind:
- Wear a brace that fits you comfortably.
- You should not let your brace interfere with your daily chores. Whether you are cleaning or working in an office, you’ll be able to finish your task without facing any difficulties.
- Try to wear your brace with breathable cotton fabric to avoid dampness.
- Avoid wearing it in the shower and bath.
- How long to wear a back brace for posture depends on the need of the individual and the product. It also depends on how well you practice to alleviate pain and align your posture. In general, 10-30 minutes a day is enough to get you going with a healthy and confident posture.
- Use the brace as long as your muscles are strong and aligned enough to function properly without pain.
Post-Surgical Brace:
Why wear a back brace after surgery?
The answer is, the movement of the spine can delay the healing process and enhance lower back pain. A back brace works by limiting the movement of the spine and providing muscular support in the lower back. Unlike the old days, the doctors now suggest light weight plastic braces instead of heavy plaster casts. As these have lessened the degree of discomfort, cautions should always be taken while using these braces. The ways to properly wear a back brace after surgery are:
- In the cases of both rigid and corset braces, follow the physician’s advice thoroughly. Place the brace’s position correctly and comfortably. If the brace irritates you, consult with the physician instantly.
- Most of the braces are task specific. Do not indulge in any activity that puts too much pressure on your spine.
- As the braces are fitted for your specific needs, you will be better off by avoiding borrowing or sharing braces.
- The soft lumber corset should be worn if you get out of bed for more than 15 minutes for the first six weeks after the surgery. You should start to cut off the usage time as your dependency should diminish over time.
- The rigid lumber brace is used in more severe situations where the surgery leaves the spine less stable. In these cases, the brace prevents the possibility of further injury by immobilizing the body a little more than usual. Thus, it is evident that the use of this kind of brace will be more frequent and long term. Usually, it should be worn if you get out of bed for more than 10 minutes for 3-4 months.
Lastly,
It can be either for back pain or as a treatment of spinal disorder but back braces are a form of medication and will be treated accordingly. Follow the schedule and stick to the rules. Always keep in mind, good things happen to those who wait.
