Lumbar Back Braces
I acquired serious back trouble during a summer job that demanded heavy lifting in my early 20’s. Though x-rays revealed no trauma, the situation was sufficiently severe that I would wake up in pain up to five times per night.
Due to the chronic pain, poor sleep and resulting fatigue, I had to withdraw from college just before my senior year, and was only able to hold part-time jobs.Physical therapy and extensive treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs seemed to deliver no result. Taking pains to avoid any activity which would exacerbate my pain, I became increasingly sedentary, and within five years I was having difficulty walking.Although I was never athletic, before the onslaught of the back pain, hiking in the mountains was among my favorite activities.
Eight years after the onset of my condition, I had to go on disability, and my lifestyle was primarily consumed with doctors appointments and doing disability paperwork.
One evening, when doing laundry, I discovered I was in such excessive pain I couldn’t get my clothes out of the dryer.I found that I had hit bottom going after medical expertise, and prepared a scheme for recovery. The plan proved fruitful, though it has taken many more years than I could’ve anticipated.
The first step of my program was to start aquatic exercise. I found a nearby health club with a heated deep pool, which let me exercise while in a vertical position with a flotation belt. I arose almost every morning at 5 a.m. and drove a short distance to the health club, choosing that hour for the privacy it would give me in the pool, and for the well-known fact that individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain find that if they do something to exercise and relax their muscles early in the day, the pain will be reduced throughout the day.
Driving even a short distance was difficult, so I bought a corset-like lower back support which fastened with Velcro. This cloth and elastic brace protects against the torsion induced by rapid turns. I still don this orthopedic back brace when I’m in the passenger seat, because it’s easier to foresee turns and changes of speed when I’m at the wheel. There are a wide variety of back braces and mid back posture supports available to order online.
The third step of my program was to commence to practice tai chi, which I subsequently with success augmented with the Feldenkrais exercise system.
A posture brace for slouching shoulders provided a gentle reminder to keep my shoulders back. This back brace had the advantage of allowing the wearer to exercise proper posture, so unlike some upper back posture supports, did not run the risk of inducing further deconditioning.
Proper furniture provided my back shoulders posture support. In a suitable desk chair, your pelvis should be slightly higher than your knees, and your feet should rest level with the floor.
It’s crucial to select ergonomic furniture which not only cuts down your pain, but allows for suitable support to your spinal cord. A dealer specializing in ergonomic furniture can be a valued consultant in this regard. As many posture support shares have a number of adjustable features, you may actually require advice from an occupational therapist in setting the chair up properly.
