Would Wearing Back Brace Weaken Spinal Muscles?
Although this is something that you hear often, wearing a back
Although this is something that you hear often, wearing a back
brace would likely only ever cause weakness if you put the back
brace on, lie down , and did nothing for long periods of time. In
fact, if putting a back brace on allows your patient to be up
walking for longer periods, doing activities that they would not be
able to do otherwise, this is a positive move towards recovery.
The main thing that is very important when using/wearing a back
brace is that the patient is given an EXERCISE PROGRAM for
strengthening and stretching to do in addition to wearing the
brace.
Keeping the core musculature that supports the spine strong and
flexible is important whether the patient's back is injured or not
injured. The exercise program becomes VITAL when wearing a
back brace.
Benefits of Bracing a Patient with Low Back Pain
Many back injuries or back conditions end up in a revolving circle
Many back injuries or back conditions end up in a revolving circle
of inflammation and muscle spasm due to an acute injury or a
chronic condition that flare up. Although the causes of back pain
are varied, because of the anatomy and function demanded of our
spinal column, bracing is a good choice for conservative
treatment.
When there is back pain (no matter what the cause) the reaction of
When there is back pain (no matter what the cause) the reaction of
the spinal musculature is to contract into involuntary spasm or
voluntary contraction of the muscles to protect the injured or
inflamed joint or soft tissue structure(s). The muscles often go
into “overdrive” with good intentions of protecting the spine. In
effect, what happens is the vicious circle of pain and spasm
begins.
There are a number of ways to break that vicious circle:
physiotherapy (including ice, heat, modalities, stretching,
strengthening, manual therapy etc.) And, as an external stabilizer:
a back brace.
Can a Patient Become Addicted to the Brace?
This question brings us back to the importance of maintaining
This question brings us back to the importance of maintaining
core musculature by maintaining an exercise program. If your
patient does wear the back brace and allow the back brace to do
ALL the work ALL of the time, then you may be asking for trouble.
But by incorporating other forms of treatment and therapy into the
patient's plan for care, which would assist in rehabilitating your
patient, the likeliness of a patient wanting to continue wearing the
patient, the likeliness of a patient wanting to continue wearing the
brace would be low since it would no longer be necessary
for them to comfortably perform their daily functions.
Providing external proprioception
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of proprioception is:
"The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of proprioception is:
"The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation
arising from stimuli within the body itself. In humans, these
stimuli are detected by nerves within the body itself, as well as by
the semicircular canals of the inner ear."
The back brace provides external proprioception to the person
The back brace provides external proprioception to the person
wearing the brace allowing them to move, sit, and maintain a
better posture while recovering from their injury.
Azon Medical Corporate Office, Clearwater, FL
Phone (appointments & general inquiries): 888-865-8553
Address: 900 Drew St., Suite 3, Clearwater, FL 33755