Can You Prevent Lumbar Back Pain With a Back Support Belt?
Lumbar back pain, or low back pain is the most common type of back pain, specifically refers to issues in the area of back starting below the ribcage. Low back pain is unfortunately one of the most common conditions to impact our world today. Approximately 50% of all Americans suffer from low back pain and is actually one of the top reasons that people in the United States miss work.
Low back pain can vary from person-to-person depending on the cause and the individual. While some people experience a dull ache, others may get a sharp stabbing or shooting pain in this area. In general, if your pain lasts for more than 72 hours or if you are experience extreme pain after an injury, you should see a medical doctor or a chiropractor right away. There are other symptoms associated with low back pain that may also require urgent care. This includes tingling sensations, issues with bowel or bladder control, pain when urinating or fever.
There are many people who struggle with low back pain and who are looking for safe, natural and effective way to keep their back pain at bay. One of the many things that people are now turning to for their back pain is a back support belt. While there is still plenty of research that needs to be done on the topic, there is promising evidence to support that many people feel relief from their back pain with the right belt.
If you are worried that you have a weak back or are trying to prevent lumbar back pain, a support belt may be a great option as a preventative measure to keep low back pain at bay. Before you run out and grab a new back support belt, there are a few things that you need to understand about these belts first.
So, what is a Back Support Belt?
If you have been hearing about back support belts and want to give one a try, you first need to understand exactly what these belts are and what they do. These belts are designed to fit underneath or above your clothes in a discrete manner. The belts are worn around the low back area and designed to offer support in the lumbar region.
The goal of a support belt will reduce excess force on this delicate area of the spine and provide some structured support that will give your muscles a break, help you to maintain better posture and prevent lower back injuries. These belts should be able to be adjusted for a secure fit that isn’t too compressing, and one that still offers plenty of support.
What Are the Benefits of A Back Support Belt?
There are a number of different benefits of using a back support belt, including the following:
- Extra support to move from standing to sitting and lying with stability that will prevent you from getting injured.
- Limits unnecessary movement. If you have a back injury, sometimes too much movement can prevent you from healing. A belt can help limit your range of motion so that your body is in the best position possible to heal.
- Helps reduce pain by providing slight compression and stability. There are even some belts that have built in space to add heat or ice.
- Applies pressure to the torso so the spine stays in a healthy position while shifting weight from the spinal column to your abdomen.
- Reducing muscle tension and reducing micro-motion in the spine as well.
- Help with rehabilitation excises while working on recovering from a back injury.
- Reduces internal forces on the spine during forceful exertions on the back.
A great back support help will also help you improve posture. By keeping your back straight and supported, it is easier to maintain better posture. Improved posture will help you relieve unnecessary pressure on the spine and can help with pain throughout the rest of your body as well. Proper posture is important for all people, especially those who sit or are at a desk all day long. Your posture can have a serious impact on your weight, headaches, injury, mood and overall health.
Do Back Belts Prevent Injury?
There are many people who use back support belts after they have sustained a back injury. However, you can also wear back belts to prevent injury from happening in the first place. There are many workers who engage in physically demanding jobs who war belts to help prevent injury during their physically strenuous activities. These abdominal belts are also often worn by weight-lifters to help prevent injuries while lifting.
While more scientific research is still needed on back belts to prevent injury, there are many people who benefit from the extra support and rigidity so that you don’t accidentally injury yourself. Unnecessary movements may ultimately cause accidental muscle strains, sprains and injuries. If you want to stay active with less pain and a lower chance at injury, then you may want to give a back support belt a try.
The right back support belt should be adjustable to fit your individual size and needs. When in the correct position, a back support belt should be slightly compressing, but not restrictive so that it doesn’t limit blood flow. You should be able to war your belt comfortably underneath your clothing, and you should be able to wear this belt under your clothes without it irritating your skin.
While back pain is common, it doesn’t have to be part of your day-to-day life. There are options available that don’t include pain medication or expensive medical visits. With a quality, adjustable back support belt, such as those offered through Maxar you can get the help you need to make sure that back pain doesn’t impact your quality of life. If you continue to experience low back pain after wearing a lumbar belt, then you may need to consult your doctor to make sure you aren’t dealing with a more serious condition.