Which lumbar belt can relieve back pain?
Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on a daily basis1,2, affecting both active3 and sedentary people. They can have various origins: intense physical exertion, injury, unsuitable posture, chronic pathology or surgery.
In many cases, wearing a medical back belt is advised by a doctor or physiotherapist.
Understanding the role of a lumbar belt
A belt is a support device designed for a specific area: lumbar, thoracolumbar, abdominal or thoracic. Its action is based on three main objectives:
How to choose your belt?
When choosing an orthotic, it is essential to consider the type of pain you are experiencing and the intensity of the activity. Consult a healthcare professional to determine which type of belt is best for your condition.
Back Pain Belt:
Lumbar support belt : useful for preventing recurrence of low back pain or in the event of a narrow lumbar canal.
In general:
Maternity belt : relieves pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic pain (sacroiliac pain, symphyseal pain, etc.).
Back and spine support belt
Thoracolumbar belt: recommended in case of common non-specific low back pain (acute, subacute and chronic stages), kyphosis, lordosis, Scheuermann's disease or stable vertebral fracture.
Abdominal, thoracic and hernia belts
Abdominal belt : recommended after an operation (laproscopy, etc.), postpartum (caesarean section), in case of muscle weakness or stoma.
Chest bandage : suitable for rib fractures, post-surgical complications.
Hernia bandage : for inguinal hernias, especially preoperatively.
Your lifestyle also influences the choice of your belt. There are generally three levels:
Sedentary : prolonged sitting or lying down.
Active : prolonged standing, repetitive movements that put strain on the back.
Very active : carrying heavy loads, intense physical work.
How do you adjust a belt correctly?
Depending on the belt model, for it to be effective:
Place and center it in the exact place recommended by the doctor or physiotherapist.
Adjust the tightening: firm enough to support, but without hindering breathing or circulation.
Do a test by walking or bending slightly to make sure you can move comfortably.
Tip: When sitting for long periods of time, it is often recommended to loosen the belt slightly to avoid discomfort.
Risks and limitations
Do not use the device during sleep. Wear the belt for a limited time, depending on the activity or pain, it is important to follow the recommendations of the health professional. In case of discomfort, significant discomfort, pain, abnormal sensations, remove the device and consult a health care professional.
Care
It is recommended to read the instructions for use that came with your belt carefully, as care instructions may vary depending on the model and materials. The instructions generally specify the recommended washing temperature, the type of cycle to be preferred (delicate washing, hand washing, etc.) as well as the maximum number of washes.
Sources:
Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain, 1990–2020, its attributable risk factors, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 - The Lancet Rheumatology
Rubin DI. Epidemiology and risk factors for spine pain. Neurol Clin. 2007 May; 25(2):353-71. DOI: 10.1016/J.NCL.2007.01.004. PMID: 17445733.
Trompeter, K., Fett, D., & Platen, P. (2016). Prevalence of Back Pain in Sports: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.z.), 47, 1183 - 1207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0645-3.
Ludvig, D., Preuss, R., & Larivière, C. (2019). The effect of extensible and non-extensible lumbar belts on trunk muscle activity and lumbar stiffness in subjects with and without low-back pain.. Clinical biomechanics, 67, 45-51 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.04.019.
Hekmatfard M, Sanjari MA, Maroufi N, Saeedi H, Ebrahimi E, Behtash H. A Preliminary Study of the Objective Measurement of Compliance Rates for Semirigid Lumbar-Support Use in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: How Important Is the Compliance Rate? Asian Spine J. 2017 Oct; 11(5):748-755. DOI: 10.4184/ASJ.2017.11.5.748. Epub 2017 Oct 11. PMID: 29093785; PMCID: PMC5662858.
