Improper use of waist support can also hurt your waist

This is the 4782nd article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Low back pain is one of the common diseases among modern people, and waist support (lumbar brace) is widely used in daily life as a tool for auxiliary treatment and waist protection. Many people do not know enough about waist support (lumbar brace), which leads to improper use, not only failing to protect the lumbar spine, but also aggravating the discomfort of the waist. Therefore, it is necessary to use the waist support (lumbar brace) correctly.

1. The purpose of wearing a waist support (lumbar support)

1. By wearing a lumbar support correctly, the waist can be partially braked, limiting the flexion and other movements of the lumbar spine, so that the damaged intervertebral disc can fully rest locally, creating good conditions for the patient's body recovery.

2. Increase exogenous stability and reduce strain on the waist and back muscles.

3. Wearing a waist support (lumbar brace) correctly can keep the lumbar curve in a good condition, reduce the stress on the waist, protect the waist and avoid further injury.

2. The correct way to wear a waist support (lumbar support)

1. Keep the skin around your waist clean

Before wearing a waist support (lumbar support), you should clean the skin around your waist to ensure that there is no dirt and sweat, so as not to affect the wearing effect and comfort.

2. Choose the right size

The specifications of the waist support (lumbar support) should be adapted to the waist circumference and personal waist length. Generally, the upper edge should reach the rib edge and the lower edge should reach the waist and hips.

3. Correctly place the guard

The waist support should not be in direct contact with the skin to avoid irritation and allergic reactions. The waist support (lumbar support) should be placed outside the underwear and fit tightly to ensure that it covers the lumbar spine and lumbar muscle area, effectively sharing the pressure on the waist to provide stable support and protection (see Figure 1, Figure 2). Patients with obvious back pain or lumbar fractures should wear the waist support while lying flat, and then sit up or get up to move around.

4. Adjust the tightness

According to personal experience and doctor's advice, adjust the tightness of the waist support (lumbar support) to provide appropriate support without excessively restricting activities. Too tight will affect breathing and skin pressure, and too loose will not achieve the effect of waist support fixation (see Figure 3, Figure 4).

5. Master the wearing time

The waist support (lumbar brace) needs to be worn intermittently. It can be worn while sitting or standing, and the wearing time should not exceed 4 hours. Wearing it for a long time may cause pressure on the waist, affect blood circulation, and even cause muscle fatigue and discomfort. When lying down, especially when sleeping, you need to relax and take off the waist support (lumbar brace) to give the waist a chance to relax and breathe.

3. Precautions for wearing lumbar support

1. Don’t be overly dependent

A lumbar support is only an auxiliary treatment tool and should not be overly relied upon. It should be combined with other treatments and lifestyles to improve lumbar problems.

2. Pay attention to your posture

When using a lumbar support, you should maintain a correct posture and avoid excessive bending or twisting of the body. Correct posture helps provide the best support and reduces pressure on the waist.

3. Moderate exercise

While wearing a lumbar support, perform moderate waist exercises and stretching exercises to strengthen the lumbar muscles and improve lumbar problems.

4. Pay attention to personal experience

Everyone's waist condition and feelings are different. When wearing a waist brace (lumbar support), you should pay attention to your own experience and feelings, and adjust the wearing method and tightness in time. You cannot completely trust other people's experience.

5. Change regularly

After a period of use, the lumbar support may wear out or lose its supporting effect. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the lumbar support regularly to ensure its effectiveness.

6. Follow your doctor’s advice

If you have waist problems or concerns, please consult your doctor for advice. The doctor can provide targeted advice based on your specific situation to ensure that your waist is properly protected and supported. If you need to wear a waist support (lumbar support) for a long time, you must also follow the doctor's advice and instructions, regularly check and adjust the wearing method.

Waist support (lumbar support) is a common auxiliary treatment tool for the waist. Correct use of waist support (lumbar support) can effectively reduce the burden on the waist and prevent waist injuries. It is also crucial to improve the treatment effect and comfort. I hope everyone can wear and use the waist support (lumbar support) correctly to maintain waist health.

Author: Rehabilitation Department, Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Yan Chunhua Ding Huiping Cheng Shaodan