Medical Back Braces For Lower Back Pain (Top 5 Updated 2020)

Best back braces for lower back pain in 2020

Medical back braces for lower back pain may vary in composition to help address lower back pain. Most of the medical back bracers for lower back pain are made from similar materials, but differ in their rigidity and postural control.

About 8 in 10 people have one or more bouts of lower back pain. In most cases, it is not due to a serious disease or serious back problem, and the exact cause of the pain is not clear. This is called nonspecific lower back pain.

But don’t worry I will share with you the top 5 best medical braces for lower back pain in 2020.

Normally, medical back bracers are categorized as flexible, semi-rigid and rigid. Rigid braces tend to be used for moderate to severe cases of pain and or instability. They help to heal the spinal fractures or after a back surgery. Semi-rigid and flexible braces are used for more mild or moderate pain. (source)

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What is lower back pain?

Everyone at some point will experience back pain. The lower back, which starts below the ribcage, is called the lumbar region. Pain here can be intense and is one of the top causes of missed work. Fortunately, low back pain often gets better on its own. When it doesn’t, there are effective treatments.

Causes of lower back pain

One of the most causes of low back pain is a torn or pulled muscle and/or ligament.

Muscle Strain and Ligament Sprain

A low back sprain or strain can happen suddenly, or can develop slowly over time from repetitive movements.

• Strains occur when a muscle is stretched too far and tears, damaging the muscle itself.
• Sprains happen when over-stretching and tearing affects ligaments, which connect the bones together.(source)

Causes of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Usually pain is considered chronic once it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the body’s natural healing process. Chronic pain in the low back often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root. Common causes include:

• Lumbar herniated disc. 
• Degenerative disc disease. 
• Facet joint dysfunction.
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Spondylolisthesis. 
• Osteoarthritis. 
• Deformity. 
• Trauma.
• Compression fracture. (source)

What are the goals of the medical back braces for lower back pain

Medical back braces for lower back pain prescription usually has a few complementary goals:

• Reduce muscle tension and low back pain
• Improve posture to redistribute weight in the spine
• Provide a healthy healing environment for spinal structures
• Increase function during daily activity

Mechanisms of pain relief vary somewhat by the medical brace design, but in general a medical brace is able to:

• Provide additional spinal support. A medical back brace for lower back pain can add stability when the low back is unstable due to injured or weakened spinal structures. By holding the torso in a safe, supportive posture, a back brace can help provide a healthy healing environment for the current injury and prevent additional injuries.
• Reduce pressure on the spinal structures. A back brace can help unload some of the weight normally placed on the lower back, in the process reducing pressure on the spine’s joints, discs, and muscles. By reducing spinal pressure, a back brace may lessen painful muscle tension that is a common protective reaction following an injury.¹
• Reduce range of motion during healing. A back brace is used to prevent or restrict painful movements, such as twisting the spine or bending forward, backward, or to the side. Limiting painful movements and postures can also help improve awareness of the body’s positioning (proprioception), which allows the wearer to consciously adjust posture for improved back health.
• Reduce micro-motion between vertebral segments. Braces also limit excess micro-movements at a particular spinal segment or vertebral fracture, thereby limiting pain from muscle tension and irritated joints or nerve roots.

Adding a back brace to a treatment regimen has been shown in some studies to improve mobility and pain scores better than only physical therapy and pain medication.¹ However, more research is needed to confirm this finding. (source)

Types of medical back bracers for lower back pain

Generally, medical back braces for lower back pain are categorized as flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid.

Flexible medical back bracers for lower back pain – are made of soft material such as cotton, canvas or neoprene. These braces may include corsets, lunar belts, and sacroiliac belts.

They can help relieve lower back pain by:

• Applying light pressure to the torso to help adjust posture and shift weight off of the spinal column
• Providing some added spinal support to take pressure off of weakened or injured muscles
• Moderately limiting range of motion to allow for some bending and twisting. For instance, while wearing a flexible brace, it may be possible to bend forward enough to touch the top of the knee, but not past the knees
• Reducing micro-motion at a loose or weakened joint through compression of the torso or pelvis (especially in lumbar and sacroiliac joint belts)
• Relaxing tense muscles through the warmth of the brace (source)

Rigid and Semi-Rigid Orthoses for Lower Back Pain – consist of a sturdy layer of material (typically cotton or canvas) that wraps around the torso, and includes rigid panels that cover the front, back, and sometimes sides of the brace. Some models include hard plastic or metal bars that cover the outside of the brace. (source)

How to use a back brace for lower back pain

A medical back brace for lower back pain usually comes with clear instructions on how to use. You doctor can explain how to use it or the brace manufacture.

They will give you instructions on fitting the brace, putting on and taking off the brace, and cleaning and taking care of the back brace brace.

It is important to wear a back brace for lower back pain according to the instructions provided with the brace and/or advised by the prescribing doctor.

Many braces are fitted specially for the patient’s needs and body, and if worn incorrectly can cause further injury and worsened pain. (source)

Wearing A Back Brace For Lower Back Pain

Most braces for lower back pain are put on by following a few general steps:

• Wrap the brace around the back with the wings against either side of the torso
• Connect the two ends across the abdomen
• Make more precise adjustments to the tightness and pressure in the brace; typically, small adjustments are made using two pull tabs on either side of the brace

3 Simple Steps for Putting on a Back Brace

Reaching to wrap the brace behind the body can be difficult with a painful back, and enlisting help from a partner or friend may be advisable.

Pain while putting on the brace can also be avoided by first setting the brace in a chair with the wings open so that when sitting, the wings are on either side of the body. Then, holding on to the wings, stand up and secure the front of the brace.

Wearing a shirt under the brace is usually needed to minimize skin irritation. Some doctors may even recommend or provide shirts that work best. In general, a shirt that is fitted and made of soft cotton fabric will prevent irritation. A baggy shirt may aggravate the skin.(source)

How to clean back brace for lower back pain

It’s important that you clean both the brace and the skin regularly to prevent skin rashes or lesions. If you are experiencing irritation on your skin, you should stop wear the back brace for few days till you are healed.

Skin care

Wearing a back brace for lower back pain improperly can aggravate the skin, causing sores or rashes to develop. Washing the skin under the brace each day will help keep dirt and dead skin from building up and causing irritation.

Too much moisture under the brace can irritate the skin and potentially lead to sores and/or skin deterioration.

It is common to have some red spots on the skin after taking the brace off. These spots should go away in just few minutes. If they do not go away, or the brace leaves a rash or bruise on the skin, the brace may not be fitted properly you should follow the instructions and see what is wrong.

Cleaning the brace

Specific washing instructions are usually provided by the brace manufacturer, and should be followed to preserve the brace’s longevity and effectiveness.

Watch this video to learn about some tips to clean your back brace for lower back pain:

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What to Consider When Choosing Your Back Brace For Lower Back Pain

There is a few factors you should take in consideration when you are choosing your back brace.

The first thing is:

Material

You should pick material prevents stretching and resists moisture buildup, while staying comfortable. Some back brace for lower back pan also includes a removable lumbar support pad and secondary support straps.

For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, its recommended they pick one with heat-retaining material to induce sweat.

Sizing & Fit

Its best to find one with a universal size that makes it an easy fit for almost anyone. Some back braces for lower back pain offers extended sizes to accommodate those a bit wider around the midsection.

Level of Support

While serious injuries need maximum back support, most users benefit from more flexible, lightweight braces.

What is the best medical back braces for lower back pain ?

We’ve searched high and low through many different products and chosen five different models to compare. Have a look through all of them and pick the one that works better for you.

Here’s the list of the top 5 best medical back braces for lower back pain in 2020:

1. BraceAbility LSO Back Brace
2. Mueller 255 Lumbar Support Back Brace
3. Back Brace by Sparthos – Immediate Relief for Back Pain
4. King of Kings Lower Back Brace Pain Relief with Pulley System
5. Brace Ability Lower Back & Spine Pain Brace

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BraceAbility LSO Back Brace is the best medical back brace for lower back pain you can find on amazon. A well-styled product, this back brace impressed several customers, many of whom commented on the quality. Its a little expensive but it’s definitely worth the money.

People were skeptical at first because this one is the most expensive of all, but most of the reviews are extremely positive.

This back brace can help with a number of back conditions and injuries, including herniated, degenerative, bulging, or slipped discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, general lumbar weakness, non-displaced spinal fractures (L2-L5), and more.

The modular design of this back brace helps ease intradiscal pressure through circumferential compression. The compression feature of this back brace increases blood flow, reduces pain, and promotes healing for treatment.

Click Here For Price

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Since 1959 the Mueller family has been the trusted leader in sports medicine. They are dedicated to creating the highest quality products that help people recover and perform at their peak.

Lumbar Back Brace w/Removable Pad This premium back brace helps relieve lower back pain from strains, sprains and muscle spasms.

Double layer design allows for custom fit and adjustable compression to abdomen and lower back. Helps provide relief from injuries and strenuous activity to keep you active.

Click Here For Price

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There is nothing quite as frustrating as dealing with chronic back pain. It’s one of those overwhelming injuries that doesn’t just feel awful. It can be detrimental to your quality of life.

What’s worse is that the pain doesn’t simply get better with time. It can persist for years even with doctor visits, surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and other back support belts.

The Sparthos support belt provides an external source of stability so you’re able to perform any of life’s daily movements without the slightest stiffness. Whether you want to put your shoes on, do chores around the house, or lift weights at the gym.

Click Here For Price

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This back support is an indispensable tool for patients suffering from back pain. It protects injured lumbar intervertebral discs by limiting waist movement, and relieves or alleviates the pain and soreness of the waist muscles.

Mainly suitable for the following groups:

• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Herniated Disc
• Spinal Stenosis
• Lumbar muscle strain
• Lumbar spondylolisthesis
• Other lumbar disease crowd
• Especially acute lumbar disc herniation and acute lumbar musle sprain patients

It is also extremely helpful for people whose jobs put them at risk of back pain and back conditions like:

• Golf
• Fishing
• Gardening
• Office workers
• Heavy manual laborers
• Bus drivers and chauffeurs

Click Here For Price

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5 – Brace Ability Lower Back & Spine Pain Brace

This lower back brace can help manage the pain caused by spinal stenosis, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), bulging or herniated discs, facet syndrome, and lower back sprains or strains.

The BraceAbility Lower Back & Spine Pain Brace is specifically designed to provide superior compression and stabilization from your L1-S1 vertebrae.

Click Here For Price

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Conclusion

When it comes to medical back braces for lower back pain, there’s such a wide range of different models available from numerous manufacturers.

You can choose to spend a little and get a decent quality brace for your money. You could also choose to spend quite a lot of money and end up with a bracer that is not very effective for your condition. When it comes down to it, it’s a case of personal preference.

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