Technological advancements have afforded doctors with the ability to help spine pain sufferers in a number of different ways, but that doesn’t mean that the old methods have to fall by the wayside. One technique that is often seen as an out-of-date treatment option is the spinal brace. With that said, if you look on any athletic field, you’ll likely notice more knee, ankle and elbow braces than ever before. It’s not outdated technology, it’s proven and effective technology, and a spinal brace is no different.
With that said, you need to be mindful about how you wear your spinal brace if you want to get the most out of treatment. Below, we provide five tips to keep in mind if you’ve been prescribed a back brace for your spinal condition.
Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Spinal Brace
Here are some general tips for making life a little easier if you’ve been prescribed a back brace. For best advice, listen to your prescribing physician.
- Wear a shirt underneath your brace – Other braces may work best when they are in direct contact with your skin, but due to the size of a brace brace, many patients find it easier to wear a shirt underneath the brace. This will help to prevent skin irritation and chafing. Just make sure it is pulled down snuggly underneath your brace.
- Ask for assistance – If you’re dealing with a spinal injury or curvature disorder, it may be very difficult for you to get the tight brace over your head and shoulders and into the correct position. Ask for help so that you don’t exacerbate symptoms or aggravate an injury. It will be much easier if you have someone who can help guide it into place.
- Consider rubbing alcohol – If you need to wear the brace for an extended duration, consider applying rubbing alcohol to the skin where the brace applies the most pressure. This can help to toughen up the skin so that it doesn’t break down or become irritated as easily. Applying rubbing alcohol can be especially helpful in the first few weeks when your skin is experiencing new pressure and is at a higher risk of becoming irritated.
- Use as advised – This seems obvious, but it bears repeating. Wear your brace as recommended by your specialist. If you’re advised to wear it at all times, don’t take it off when you’re sleeping. Even if you’re feeling great, don’t stop wearing your brace against your physician’s recommendations. If you have questions or concerns, or you want your recommendations altered, speak to your doctor before taking matters into your own hands.
- Dive into other active treatments – A back brace is a passive form of treatment that can help provide pain relief and prevent continued spinal shifting, but it’s unlikely to cure your condition on its own. Make sure you are also practicing more active treatments like physical therapy, exercise, stretching and working towards a healthy weight to really help fuel your progress. A brace is a great compliment to a care plan, but it’s not going to fix everything on its own, so pair it with other helpful treatments.
For more information, or to talk to a spine specialist about your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
