Back Support Belts - The Need for your Back

Almost every human being experiences back ache at some point or the other in their life time. It is the second most common problem after the common cold or flu. The intensity of the back ache may vary according to the pain experienced by the patient.

Are back support belts a panacea for all the back problems?

Different types of back support belts are available in the market claiming to cure you or support you from all your back problems. These claims may not be 100% correct but certainly these belts help you in supporting your spine and taking away the pressure from your back.

How do the Back Support Belts Work?

Back Braces & Supports

Back support belts are devices that help you provide the extra support you need while performing tasks that can put additional pressure on your back. People whose work requires extra bending, stooping, lifting should make sure that they wear the belts to prevent their back from an injury. Although wearing the belt does not guarantee you from preventing the injury it definitely provides an extra cushion to the back and helps in taking away the pressure from your spine.

After a back surgery, slip disc, degeneration of the vertebrae wearing of the belt becomes essential to recover from the injury and give the required compression and support to the spine for relieving it from the pain.

Different kinds of back aches require different types of support Belts

The lumbar back belt supports your back from your hips to your pelvis and helps in supporting your lower back. This area is at the most risk for the back muscle and the disc due to bending and lifting. Some lumbar support belts have adjustable suspenders that you can wrap around your back and which allows you to adjust the band’s tightness.

A full back support belt goes up from the waist up to your shoulders to provide complete support and is usually required to correct your posture or to recover from a back injury.

Apart From the Supportive Belt what measures should be taken to support your back

Back Support Belts

If proper body mechanics are not used a supportive back belt becomes futile. Squatting and lifting any object whether heavy or light and applying the pressure on your thighs and knees is the right posture to give your back the right support. Before lifting any object if you feel that it is too heavy ask for support. Keep the object close to the upper part of your body and apply the pressure on your thighs instead of the back. Keep your postures straight and those with long sitting hours should ensure that they use the right chair that supports the back. Getting up after every 2-3 hours and walking for a while helps the back. Back exercises strengthen your back muscles and protect you from a back ache. 

GPC Medical Limited manufactures back support belts that are made of nylon and are more rigid and long-lasting that can be used daily. They are firm and very durable. They are universally sized with adjustable straps and with appropriate thickness to protect your lumbar area. Always ensure to buy the belt that has been recommended to you by the physiotherapist.