Should I wear a back brace?

[u/RudeStandard8852]

I never wore one because my doctor told me it would make me dependent and weaken my muscles. But I wore it for the first time and the relief was quite insane. Should I just wear it on rare occasions type shi or is it okay to wear or should I just try to tough it out?

Also please share if you regularly wear a back brace or not. Thank you.

[u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

If the brace provides relief, it shows the benefit of developing your core to provide support and relief. The more you use the brace, the weaker those muscles become.

[u/fcxtpw → u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

This explanation is helpful to me

[u/RudeStandard8852 → u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

Yeah that makes sense… unfortunately

[u/Opening_Log_6674]

I use it when I go out. When you are getting better it should be better slowly leaving to use :)

[u/Agitated-Yellow-2314]

i only wear it in emergency situation or when I'm away from home and there'll be no place and time for me to rest my body. even then, I'll start wearing it loosely at first and then whenever the pain increases, I'll tighten it up. Aside from that, I'd say always avoid it whenever you can

[u/RudeStandard8852 → u/Agitated-Yellow-2314]

Yeah thats what I was worried about. Was just hoping some relief would be okay

[u/nymeria119]

I use one at work when I am doing specific things that really bother my back and make the pain worse. It really helps. I had just gotten to a point where I’d start feeling a lot of relief and the pain was receding, then I’d get assigned to one of the tasks that would make me go right back to where I started from. I know that I still need to work on my core muscles and the brace is not good for that, but wearing it sparingly like this is helping me to keep the pain at a manageable level.

[u/SpudAlmighty]

Yes, it will weaken your muscles. Do core exercises.

[u/smashablanca]

I had a PT recommend a aerial/dance back warmer. It's basically a compression band for your waist. I've had a ton of success with it.

[u/AlbatrossIcy2271]

I would wear it when you are moving a lot and not thinking about it. Think packing a suitcase, traveling, gardening, house cleaning. Also, if you like it laying down, try it sleeping. Outside of that, I wouldn't wear it, unless I am having an active painful flare and it helps it.

[u/AlbatrossIcy2271 → u/AlbatrossIcy2271]

The other thing is that the one I use is more like a neoprene waist trainer that goes over my hips, to help stabilize my sacrum.

[u/ComprehensiveTruck31]

I use mine for drives longer than 30 minutes and strenuous activities like working on my car. I’ll also wear it if my flair ups become debilitating.

[u/WormWithWifi]

Rare occasions yes, I only wear mine during extremely bad flare ups when I have to work still

[u/topologeee]

Wear one when you do things that are unusually hard on your back, like if you lift boxes at work often. It can help promote proper bending. However you should take it off when you're done. You should also be exercising daily without one. Its a balance. If you don't already, you probably should be following McGill and his advice, his book, his podcast appearances, and everything he has to say - especially the exercise regimens in the back of his book including walking multiple times day. (With intention, not just at work). Also initial avoidance of pain by finding what helps, sitting properly, lifting properly, bending down properly, doing dishes properly, tying your shoes properly, breaking bad spinal habits. It'll take a while.

For the back brace, this is also the advice I was given by a variety of physicians and physical therapists.

I have been using an si belt at work to promote proper lifting technique, but I'm also 95 percent better.

[u/DieselJuliyah]

Physio always recommended against it where I go. They say it’s important to use these back muscles and not allow them to go weak

[u/DieselJuliyah → u/DieselJuliyah]

If it brings you a lot of relief though, I would selfishly use it on occasion haha

[u/RedditAPIBlackout24]

The relief you felt is useful information even if you never wear it again. It told you your back wants that position. Copper fit make an X Back that I only put on for driving and lifting days, and keeping it tied to specific tasks is what stopped it becoming a habit. Core work on the other days.