Back pain is a common issue that affects people of all ages and lifestyles. Whether it is due to poor posture, heavy lifting, or sitting for prolonged periods, having back pain can significantly impact a person’s daily activities and overall well-being. At Healing Hands Chiropractic in Singapore, we understand the importance of having comprehensive care for spinal health. Wearing a back brace can provide temporary relief, however, it should also be complemented with chiropractic treatment to achieve long-lasting results.
How does wearing a back brace work?
Back braces are designed to support the spine, reduce movement, increase spinal stability and alleviate pain. Back braces can be purchased over-the-counters or specially prescribed and customised for the user’s condition. They can be beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries, surgeries, or for providing support in spinal conditions like scoliosis. By limiting motion in the affected area, back braces help prevent further injury by providing stability in the spine during the recovery process.
What is bad about using back brace?
While wearing a back brace gives several benefits, it is not a long term solution for back pain or spinal issues. Relying solely on a back brace usually leads to muscle weakness, disallowing the user to build core strength in the trunk of the body. In fact, this may make the user fully dependent on having to use a back brace in the long run. It is crucial to understand that back braces are an aiding tool to help the user recover, and is used on a need’s basis for shorter terms, and not as a cure. They work best when used in conjunction with other treatments and lifestyle changes.
How to use back brace correctly in conjunction with Chiropractic care?
For optimal results, back braces should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan alongside chiropractic care. Listed below is how wearing back brace can be effectively be used with chiropractic care:
- Enhanced Support: Back braces provide immediate structural support and stabilization of the spinal area, allowing you to continue daily activities with reduced pain. This support is crucial during the initial stages of treatment, if needed, when the spinal area is not stable, or when pain is most intense with movements.
- Improved Alignment: Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct proper spinal alignments, addressing the underlying misalignment issues causing your pain. By combining adjustments with the use of a back brace, this helps to provide proper alignment with good spinal stability to prevent further injury.
- Muscle Strengthening: One of the key components of chiropractic care is to correct proper alignments on the spine to restore optimal functioning of muscles, allowing them to be strengthened to support the spine. This helps prevent future injuries and reduces the likelihood of dependency on using a back brace.
- Maintenance Care: The goal of Healing Hands Chiropractic is to create personalized treatment plans tailored to our patients’ health needs. This often includes a holistic approach including a combination of chiropractic adjustments,soft tissue mobilisation, E-stimulation, Spinal Flexion-Distraction, Traction blocks and the strategic use of back braces when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Can Back Brace Help to Correct or Straighten Posture?
Back braces can provide temporary support to stabilise the posture by holding the spine in a more aligned position. However, they do not correct the underlying muscular imbalances or misalignments that cause poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments can help identify and correct these issues, making the combined use of a back brace and regular chiropractic care more effective in achieving and maintaining proper posture.
Can Back Brace Help with Pain Relief?
Back braces can offer immediate pain relief by reducing movement and providing support to the affected area. However, this relief is often temporary. For long-term pain management, chiropractic adjustments target the root cause of pain, such as misalignments or muscle tension. Together, back braces and regular chiropractic care can provide both immediate and sustained relief.
Can Back Brace Help with Scoliosis?
Back braces are commonly used to manage scoliosis, especially in growing children and adolescents. They help prevent the scoliosis condition from worsening. However, bracing alone does not address the underlying spinal imbalances. Regular chiropractic care can enhance the effectiveness of bracing by promoting spinal alignment and muscular balance, contributing to better overall management of scoliosis.
Can Back Brace Help with Curved Spine?
For conditions like kyphosis (forward hunching) or lordosis (arching of lower back), back braces can provide support and help manage symptoms. Yet, they do not address the root causes of these abnormal spinal curvature conditions. Regular chiropractic care focuses on correcting spinal misalignments and strengthening supporting muscles, making the combined approach more effective for long-term management of a curved spine.
Can Back Brace Help with Herniated Disc?
Back braces can alleviate pain and provide support for those suffering from a herniated disc by limiting movement and reducing unhealthy pressure on the affected area. However, to address the herniation itself, chiropractic adjustments are necessary as part of treatment process. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine, reduce disc pressure, and promote healing, making the use of a back brace more effective as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Can Back Brace Help with Lower Back Pain?
Back braces can provide immediate support and relief for lower back pain, but they do not address the underlying causes. Chiropractic care targets the root issues, such as spinal misalignments or muscle imbalances. By combining chiropractic treatment with the use of a back brace, you can achieve more effective and lasting relief from lower back pain.
Can Back Brace Help with Sleeping?
Sleeping with a back brace may provide support and reduce discomfort for some individuals, but is not encouraged for a long-term solution. Chiropractic care can help address the underlying issues causing sleep disturbances, such as spinal misalignments or muscle tension, leading to better sleep quality without the need for a brace.
Can Back Brace Help with Lifting Heavy Objects?
Back braces can provide additional stability and support to reduce the risk of injury when lifting heavy objects. However, relying solely on a back brace can lead to weakened core muscles over time. Chiropractic care helps to correct proper alignments on the spine to restore optimal functioning of muscles, allowing them to be strengthened to support the spine, as well as improving your overall biomechanics, reducing the risk of injury and making lifting safer and more efficient.
Takeaway
Back braces are valuable tools for managing various spine-related issues, but they should not be used in isolation. At Healing Hands Chiropractic in Singapore, we advocate for a comprehensive approach that combines the support of back braces with the corrective and strengthening benefits of chiropractic care. By working together, these treatments can provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions for optimal spine health.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Healing Hands Chiropractic today. Let us help you achieve a healthier, pain-free life through our holistic approach to spine care.
