Did you know that up to 80% of people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lifetime? For the majority of people, the pain will resolve on its own after a short period. For others, the pain can become a constant and chronic condition that affects every aspect of their life. If you’re suffering from mild or moderate lower back pain, though, you do have options. Back braces for lower back pain can help you get the activity you need during a mild and short-term flare-up. With them, you can also prevent future pain issues. Here’s how, plus five of our favorite options.
Why would you need back braces for lower back pain?
Devices for back pain are most often braces that are used to support a healing spine or prevent further injury. These braces can range from larger braces that reach from the middle of the hip to underneath the shoulders to smaller braces that focus solely on the affected area. Back pain can develop and worsen for a number of reasons, including:
- Injury or trauma
- Overuse or stress
- Poor posture
- Pregnancy
- As a result of another condition, such as disc herniation or arthritis
The following video gives a good overview of how back pain occurs.
How you deal with your back pain will largely come down to its cause. If you’re suffering from a more severe form of back pain that lasts more than five days, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Sharp pain can point to other issues, such as kidney stones or injury. Your doctor may recommend:
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Medications
- Surgery, for severe cases
For many people, however, simple at-home care can help with their back pain. One of the more popular approaches is using back braces for lower back pain. These provide a non-invasive option for treating back pain, but do they work?
Do back braces help lower back pain?
In some cases, back braces for lower back pain can provide pain relief and increase your mobility. They work primarily for subacute pain, that is, pain that has lasted longer than a few days but isn’t yet chronic (defined as pain that lasts for three months or more). A meta-analysis of 28 research studies published in The Annals of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine noted that:
“Lumbar support was effective on function, pain, and relative time intervals for dispensing medication with subacute low back pain. It was also effective with probability of low back pain recurrence in secondary prevention.”
Researchers did note that they’re not for everyone. There’s not enough proof to show their use for acute levels of pain, and when worn for long periods of time, they can actually exacerbate chronic pain. Therefore, always talk to your doctor before trying a back brace for pain.
Benefits of back pain braces
If they approve a brace for your situation, though, it can help you impro