How Does a Back Brace Work?

In our daily lives, we occasionally see people wearing back braces, whether it's due to back discomfort or to prevent injuries during sports. But have you ever thought deeply about how this seemingly ordinary back brace actually works? How does a back brace work? Let's explore the working principle behind the back brace and unravel the mystery of how it guards the health of our backs with Fivali.

What Is the Back Brace?

A back brace, is a piece of assistive equipment used to protect the back. It is generally made of supportive and flexible materials, such as plastic, nylon, spandex, and sometimes metal bars are added to enhance support. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, commonly resembling straps or undershirts. A back brace is usually designed with adjustable snaps or Velcro that can be adjusted to fit the user's size and needs. It fits snugly around the back, covering part or all of the back area from the shoulders to the waist, and provides a physical protective barrier for the back.

People Who Need Back Brace: 

• People with Back Injuries: For example, patients with back muscle strains, ligament tears, spinal fractures, etc. caused by accidents, sports injuries, etc. During the recovery period, a back brace can provide the necessary support and stabilization to help the injured area heal, reduce pain, and prevent the injured tissues from being further harmed.
• Spinal Disease Patients: People suffering from lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, scoliosis and other spinal diseases, the structure and function of the spine may be affected, the back brace can help to reduce the pressure on the spinal column, alleviate the symptoms of pain, improve the biomechanical environment of the spine, and assist in the treatment and delay the progress of the disease.
• Long-Term Sedentary or Standing People: People who need to sit for a long time, such as office staff, drivers, and other people who need to sit for a long time, as well as teachers, salespersons, and other people who stand for a long time, keeping the same posture for a long time will make the back muscles in a tense state, which is easy to cause back pain and fatigue. A work back brace can help support the back, reduce the burden on the muscles, and prevent back diseases.

• Elderly People: With age, the bones and muscles of the elderly will experience different degrees of degeneration, such as osteoporosis, weakened muscle strength, etc., and their backs are more prone to pain and discomfort. A lumbar back brace can provide extra support for the back, enhance the stability of the body, reduce the risk of back injuries caused by accidents such as falls, and improve the quality of life.
• Sports Enthusiasts: When playing some high-intensity or high-risk sports, such as weightlifting, basketball, soccer, etc., athletes' backs are subjected to greater pressure and impact. A back brace can provide support and protection for the back during sports, enhance muscle stability, reduce the probability of sports injuries, and help athletes perform better.

How a Back Brace Works?

A back brace works primarily through the mechanisms of distributing pressure, limiting abnormal activity, and providing muscular support. Some studies have shown that biomechanical benefits are related to the mechanical stiffness of the lumbar belt, such as a reduction in lumbar range of motion, a reduction in the stress of the posterior lumbar passive tissue, and a potential reduction in the compressive load of the lumbar spine.[1]

In injured or post-operative patients with poor spinal stability, a back brace can help maintain the spine in a relatively stable position, creating a favorable recovery environment for injured tissues and reducing the risk of secondary injuries. In addition, a back brace for posture can give the back muscles some external support, reduce muscle fatigue, and assist in maintaining body posture when muscle strength is insufficient, thus protecting the health of the back.

Type of Back Brace

• Full back brace
• Back brace support
• Upper back brace
• Lower back brace for pain
• Heated back brace

Selection Advice

Choosing the right back brace plays a key role in maintaining the health of your back. The right back brace can accurately fit the curve of the back, provide stable support for the spine, effectively prevent back pain caused by poor posture, and make daily activities easier. If you choose the wrong one, not only will it not work, but it may also hinder blood circulation and aggravate your body's burden.

Here are some suggestions for purchasing a back brace: 

• Consider the Purpose of Use: If it is the daily office to prevent lumbar fatigue, a semi-rigid or rigid back brace can be used, especially this Fivali lower back posture brace is designed for those who need extra support and shaping. It's made from a stretchy fabric that provides a comfortable fit while featuring an adjustable elastic band that ensures that everyone can find the perfect amount of support for them. A semi-rigid back brace can be used for sports protection; a rigid back brace is needed for post-surgery rehabilitation or serious lumbar diseases; a corrective back brace can be used if there is a need for posture correction.

• Focus on Size and Fit: Accurately measure the waist circumference, back length and other data, and choose the right size according to the product size chart. The back brace should be able to closely fit the back and waist, neither too tight to affect blood circulation, nor too loose to cause poor support. Adjustable back braces are better suited to different body shapes and wearing needs.
• Check the Material and Quality: A good quality back brace should be made of a material with good breathability to avoid discomfort and skin problems caused by heat and sweat while wearing it. The durability of the material is also important. Check whether the stitching is neat and strong and whether the accessories such as snaps and Velcro are sturdy to ensure that the product can be used for a long time.
• Consider Comfort and Flexibility: Move your body while trying it on, such as bending, stretching, turning, etc., to check whether the back brace will restrict normal activities and whether there is any pressure or discomfort. A good back brace should provide support while minimizing interference with the body's natural movement.

How to Use a Back Brace Effectively?

The correct use of a back brace is also directly related to its effectiveness and comfort. Here are some key things to keep in mind when using a back brace:

1. Correct Wearing Method: Generally align the center of the back brace to the spine, adjust the position, and then fasten the fixation belt to ensure that it fits the back without wrinkles, and also pay attention to the adjustment of the shoulder straps and waist belt for sports back brace.

2. Appropriate Duration of Use: Don't wear the back brace continuously for a long time to avoid atrophy of back muscles due to over-reliance on the back brace, and wear it for 2-3 hours in daily life, and follow the doctor's advice in special cases.

3. Correct Posture: You can't relax your posture requirements by wearing a back brace, you still need to keep your chest lifted and spine naturally straight to avoid bad posture such as hunching over.

4. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance: Clean and maintain the product according to the instructions to keep it clean and hygienic, prolong its service life, and ensure its stable performance.

A back brace is a simple but effective way to protect the health of your back. By providing support, relieving pressure, and promoting proper posture, a compression back brace can help prevent back pain, lumbar pain, and other back problems. Whether you need to stand or sit for long periods of time at work or perform physical labor, a back support brace can provide you with extra protection. However, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing and using a back brace to ensure its effectiveness and comfort.

Reference

[1] The Effect of Lumbar Belts with Different Extensibilities on Kinematic, Kinetic, and Muscle Activity of Sit-to-Stand Motions in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9605222