Back braces are normally prescribed to people after lower back, upper back or spinal injuries; sometimes back braces are also used as support for careers where frequent lifting of heavy objects is an issue in order to reduce the strain on the body.
They aren’t just useful after an injury – they can also be greatly beneficial for reducing general strain or helping your body to heal after you’ve been through a rough day that put more strain than usual on your spine, hips or muscles. Back braces can be found in several types, including softer, stretchier ones and hard-shell braces that offer a much tighter, almost corset-like hold.
Whether you’ve injured your back years before, recently or not at all, you can likely benefit from the occasional use of a back brace.
Here are 8 great and amazing benefits of wearing a back brace that you should know about.
1. Improves Posture
One of the most important things for keeping your spine and the muscles surrounding it in good condition is ensuring that you maintain good posture throughout your life. Posture is something that can slow degeneration, and certainly improve the way your back feels – but it’s true that maintaining a decent posture can be hard if the muscles have grown tired after a lot of stress.
If you notice that you’ve been developing any curves, slouches or bad posture habits, it’s very likely that you can benefit from a back brace and that it can help you to reduce the stress. If you suspect a spinal condition like scoliosis causing posture issues, it warrants an immediate appointment with your doctor in order to establish what your spine is doing.
If you would just like to generally improve your posture, wear a back brace for a short while every day – but not for too long, since it can cause the muscles to atrophy.