Should I Wear a Back Brace for Herniated Disc?

The pain and discomfort associated with a herniated disc is often unbearable. In the search for relief, back braces have become an option for many. So, “Should I Wear a Back Brace for Herniated Disc?”

This is a question that has become on the minds of many patients. Fivali will take an in-depth look at the role, advantages, and potential drawbacks of back braces in the treatment of herniated discs to help you better understand this treatment option and make the decision that is right for you.

Focus on Spine Health: Understanding the Causes and Symptoms of Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are a common spinal disorder with a number of causes. Degeneration is the root cause. With age, the water content of intervertebral discs decreases and their elasticity deteriorates, making them susceptible to cracks and injuries. Long-term poor posture, such as sitting for a long time, stooping to carry heavy objects, standing for a long time, etc., so that the intervertebral discs are subjected to excessive pressure, accelerating degeneration and protrusion. Trauma to the lumbar region, such as sudden twisting and impact, may also lead to disc herniation.

Symptoms are varied, and lumbar pain is the most common, with varying degrees of pain, either persistent dull pain or intermittent sharp pain. If the herniation compresses the nerve root, it will cause radiating pain in the lower limbs, extending from the buttocks along the back of the thigh to the calf and foot, often accompanied by numbness, weakness, and limited walking and activities. If the caudal equine nerve is compressed, urinary and fecal dysfunction may occur, such as incontinence or difficulty in defecation, which seriously affects the quality of life. Once symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time for diagnosis and treatment.

Should I Wear a Back Brace for Herniated Disc?

The answer is definitely yes. There are benefits to wearing a back brace for a herniated disc.

• Reduces Pressure on the Spine: Back braces provide external support for the spine, sharing some of the body weight that would otherwise be carried by the discs. When a patient wears a brace, the pressure on the discs is significantly reduced, which creates a more relaxed recovery environment for the damaged discs, effectively preventing the herniation from worsening due to overstress and helping to alleviate pain symptoms.
• Correcting Poor Posture: Numerous patients with herniated discs have poor posture such as hunching over, which can aggravate the burden on the intervertebral discs. The back brace for pain can limit the excessive bending or twisting of the spine, guide the patient to maintain the correct posture, and keep the spine in a reasonable mechanical state. Correct posture is conducive to intervertebral disc retraction and repair, improving the condition from the root.
• Relieving Nerve Compression: Take thoracolumbar spine orthosis as an example, it can prop open the intervertebral space, which in turn relieves the compression on the nerve root. When the nerve root is no longer overly compressed by the herniated disc, symptoms such as radiating pain and numbness in the lower extremities will be alleviated, which promotes the patient's physical recovery and enhances the overall therapeutic effect.

Here are two Fivali back braces that specialize in Herniated Discs:

✧ Back Brace for Disc Herniation

Dual Compression Strap Ultra-Thin and High-Elastic Fabric Effective Lower Back Pain Relief

✧ Back Support for Slipped Disc

Relieve Muscle Strain Prevent Lumbar Injuries Reduce the Risk of Injuries

Back Brace: An Umbrella for Herniated Disc Patients

A back brace provides additional support for the lower back, helping to stabilize the spine and reduce pressure on the discs, thereby reducing pain and preventing further disc herniation.

• Spinal Diseases or Injuries: Such as scoliosis, lumbar disc herniation, spinal fracture, etc. Wearing a back brace can help support the spine, reduce the pressure on the diseased area, relieve pain, correct spinal deformities, and promote recovery from injuries.
• Post-Operative Rehabilitation: After spinal surgery, in order to stabilize the spine, protect the surgical site, and prevent excessive spinal movement from interfering with healing, doctors usually require patients to wear a back brace for slipped disc until they reach a certain stage of recovery.
• Posture Correction: For hunchback and postural scoliosis caused by long-term bad posture, the back brace can provide external support and constraint to remind and help the patient to maintain the correct posture and gradually improve the bad posture.
• Muscle Weakness or Strain: When severe back muscle weakness or muscle strain makes it difficult to maintain the normal physiological curvature of the spine, wearing a herniated disc back brace can assist the muscles to support the body, reduce the burden on the muscles and promote muscle recovery.

Back Brace Use: Negative Effects Not to Be Ignored

Using a back brace, while it can help relieve the symptoms of a herniated disc, has some potential drawbacks. Here are some of the possible potential drawbacks:

1. Muscle Atrophy: Wearing a back brace for a long time will make the back muscles get excessive support, reduce the normal activity and load of the muscles, resulting in the muscles not getting enough exercise, and gradually appearing wasting atrophy, instead of reducing the protective effect of the muscles on the spine, affecting the stability of the spine.

2. Skin Problems: The back brace is in direct contact with the skin, and if worn for too long, poorly ventilated, or inappropriately sized, it is prone to friction and pressure on the skin, which may cause redness, itching, breakage, and even pressure ulcers, especially in the skin folds and bone protrusions.

3. Restricted Movement: The back support will restrict the range of movement and flexibility of the body to a certain extent so that patients are hindered from performing movements such as bending and turning, which brings inconvenience to daily life and work and affects the quality of life of patients.

Exercise Rehabilitation Guidelines for Patients with Herniated Discs

In addition to wearing a back brace, here are three tips for treating a herniated disc:

• Posture Adjustment: Maintain a correct sitting posture, the waist is straight, the chair should have good lumbar support, and the knees and hips at the same height to avoid bending and sitting for a long time. Standing with the chest and abdomen to reduce the pressure on the spine, daily habit, can relieve the burden of intervertebral discs. 
• Core Muscle Training: Perform plate support to exercise the core muscles and enhance spinal protection. Long-term persistence helps stabilize the spine and reduce disc pressure.
• Reasonable Rest: Ensure adequate sleep, 7-8 hours per night. Choose a mattress with moderate hardness and softness to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. Avoid over-exertion, and get up and move appropriately between work and study so that the waist muscles can relax. 

In summary, whether or not to wear a back brace for lower lumbar herniated disc requires a comprehensive consideration of your specific situation. Back braces are not a panacea; they have the advantages of pain relief and support and stability, as well as potential disadvantages such as muscle atrophy and dependency. Therefore, before making a decision, be sure to consult with your doctor or physical therapist, who will be able to provide you with personalized recommendations based on your condition, pain level, lifestyle habits, and other factors.