It seems like everyone I talk to these days is complaining about back pain – from construction workers to programmers. It’s a plague of the modern day, mostly resulting from the bad postures we take in front of our computers, TVs, and smartphones.
There comes a point where your posture becomes so bad and your muscles so weak that your back can’t support your properly anymore. At that point, no massage will be able to help you.
Surgery is an option in some of those cases but it’s a severe option that you can avoid by trying other things first – and a back brace is a good thing to try out.
Today I’ll give you the full scoop on back braces and my thoughts on some of the best ones I could find.
What are Back Braces and How do They Work?
The Benefits of Back Braces
Best Back Braces in 2021 – Detailed Comparison
The 15 Best Back Braces in 2021 – Reviewed
What You Should Know About Buying a Back Brace – My Comprehensive Buying Guide
What Can You Use a Back Brace For?
How to Improve Your Back Posture – With or Without a Back Brace
Back Brace FAQ
What are Back Braces and How do They Work?
Back braces come in many forms, shapes, and sizes, but there’s one thing they all have in common – they are designed to limit the motion of your spine and back muscles while providing you with additional support.
They do this by applying selective pressure on certain areas to limit movement and using padding and rigid materials to provide added support for your spine and limit your movement further. They partially take over the function of certain muscles and bones thus reducing the strain placed on them.
Some back braces are prescribed by doctors but others can be bought over the counter, and there is some difference between the two types.
Prescription braces are usually made to order, designed to specifically fit you and your injury. They’re also rigid most of the time – made out of thick cotton with plastic or metal reinforcements, or entirely out of plastic with metal splints. You’re also usually required to wear them almost all the time.
On the other hand, braces that can be bought without a prescription are mass-produced and made out of flexible materials. They’re not intended to be worn 24/7 and are designed for day-to-day use rather than just for recovery after an injury or surgery. The materials used to make them range from cloth and foam to rubber and can include plastic and metal parts as well.
Today I’ll mostly be talking about those types or braces, rather than medical braces prescribed by doctors. However, just because they’re not often prescribed by doctors doesn’t mean they’re useless – and I’ll show that to you in the next section.
The Benefits of Back Braces
While the benefits of back braces might seem obvious at first, there are some doubts about their effectiveness – especially when it comes to consumer-grade braces that I’m mostly talking about here.
I’ll talk about a few real benefits that non-prescription braces can offer, and I hope you’ll see that they’re more than just fancy belts and corsets.
1Structural Support
This is the primary benefit of back braces – they take over some of the work from the muscles and spine in your back and help support you. Why is this beneficial?
Well, it allows you to lift heavier loads without overworking your back, which can be useful for various sports and for different types of work. It also reduces the strain on those parts of your body which can help reduce any pain you’re feeling.
It’s also useful for people whose bodies can’t support them properly for one reason or another. It could be age, a chronic condition, recent surgery or an injury – whatever may be the case, wearing a back brace can provide that additional bit of support that will allow them to stand up or walk when they otherwise couldn’t.
That’s why back braces are useful for physical therapy and are a great tool on the road to recovery – but not the only one. Don’t use them as a crutch, just a helpful tool that you will outgrow in time if it’s possible.
2Posture Improvement
Most back braces also promote good posture by constricting the movements of your body in a way that doesn’t allow you to assume a bad posture. It’s simple, yet effective and it also helps the brace support your body better since your natural support mechanisms are not in their proper position.
At first, this might feel a little uncomfortable but it gets better over time, and it can help reduce the pain your feeling. When your posture is bad, it might put unnecessary strain on certain muscles or weaken others, leading to pain in certain positions or during specific activities.
Improving your posture can help a lot with reducing the feeling of pain and tension in the long-term, having even better results than treatments like massages or medication. Back braces combined with regular exercises will help you achieve that quickly, though it will take some work.
3Reduced Pain
As you’ve probably gathered by now, back braces can help a lot with your back pain or even pain in other parts of your body. By providing more support and improving your posture, back braces will relieve the tension and pressure that some parts of your body might be under and thus reduce the pain you’re feeling.
This can help with back pain, but it can also help with other types of pain. Your bad posture can put undue pressure on your neck, your hips, your knees, and your feet. Wearing a back brace and correcting that can relieve you of pain that you thought was completely unconnected.
Back braces mostly provide short-term pain relief though, which is why you shouldn’t rely on them long-term. You should take other steps to improve your health and your posture – back braces are not a magic solution they’re just meant to be a tool that can help you along the way.
Best Back Braces in 2021 – Detailed Comparison
If you just want a quick rundown of the most important things about all of the best back braces you can find in 2021, I’ve compiled this comparison chart for you.
The 15 Best Back Braces in 2021 – Reviewed
I’ve tried to select only the best back braces I could find and review them in depth. While this is just my opinion, I hope it will be useful to you.
Posture Corrector & Back Support Brace for Women and Men by BRANFIT Affordable Comfort
This is a back brace and posture corrector made to fit over your shoulders and upper back. It’s quite comfortable and not stuffy at all while being rigid enough to work well at correcting your posture – when it works.
Adjusting it is easy due to the straps but putting it on can be a bit difficult. You should watch the instructional video and practice in front of the mirror a few times until you get the hang of it.
The main issue with this brace is that it doesn’t perform all that well under pressure. The Velcro straps can become twisted under tension which will make the brace less effective and extremely uncomfortable.
Still, if you do not intend to use it for any strenuous activity, it’s a fine brace, and the cost is more than affordable.
- Lightweight
- Easy to adjust
- It’s highly affordable
- Fairly breathable and comfortable
- Can be difficult to put on
- The straps are of poor quality
Adjustable straps on braces are good but only when they’re well-made. Poorly made straps that come loose all the time will just make the brace completely useless.
Flexguard Support Back Brace Posture Corrector Support from Top to Bottom
This Flexguard product is a back brace that covers your entire back, from top to bottom. It’s made to support all parts of your back and help with a wide variety of posture problems, not just a few.
Despite its size, it’s relatively inconspicuous, and you can easily wear it under just one layer of clothing without it showing. It looks complex too, but it’s fairly easy to put on without help since the straps are well-positioned.
It’s fairly breathable, and you won’t feel too hot while wearing it but it can still be uncomfortable due to the material chafing under your arms. The straps are made out of neoprene too, so they’re not as breathable as the rest of it.
Getting the right size can also be a problem due to the shape. If you have a fairly short and wide torso or a long and thin one, it most likely won’t fit even if you get the waist size right.
- Can easily be worn under clothing
- Supports your entire back
- Easy to put on
- Fairly light and breathable
- The sizing can be difficult
- Chafes under your arms
- The straps are not breathable
Don’t get a full back brace if you only need support for your lower or upper back – it can be a waste of money, and it could slow your progress by unnecessarily limiting the movement of certain body parts.
Andego Back Posture Corrector for Women & MenSleek and Light
If you want an extremely lightweight and breathable brace for your upper back, this is the one to get. It has almost no profile whatsoever, and you can easily wear it under your clothes without it showing.
The sleek design and thin straps are great for warmer weather, and you won’t sweat under them. It’s also easily adjustable since the straps can move easily when you want them to and are locked-in otherwise.
The straps can chafe under your armpits though, even if you wear it over a shirt. Wearing this brace on bare skin is just too uncomfortable.
If you’re a heavier person, though, I’m afraid this brace simply won’t provide enough support for you since it’s so light. It’s clearly made for slimmer, shorter people.
- Extremely lightweight and discreet
- Straps are easy to adjust
- You won’t sweat under it
- The straps will chafe under your armpits
- IUnsuitable for taller and heavier users
While most braces offer a wide variety of sizes, their design is what matters more. An XXXL brace that has a design clearly made for lightweight people won’t perform well. Always check out the user experience to see which people it fits the best.
Aroamas Posture Corrector for Women & MenThe Smell of Fresh Lemons
This is a more than decent upper back brace that also works great for correcting your posture and comes at a decent price. It has three adjustable straps in total, allowing you to customize the size to your liking.
However, the straps can be a bit difficult to adjust, and they sometimes get stuck, which can leave you in an uncomfortable position. This can also make it a bit difficult to put on.
It has a calming citrus smell to it that’s strong at first but doesn’t last for too long. Still, it’s a good addition.
The brace is definitely sturdy and well-made, but it’s also a bit bulky – even though it’s not heavy. If you wear it beneath your clothes, it will definitely show, especially the buckle on the back.
Overall, it’s a good product, but you have to put up with some of its quirks.
- Comfortable and doesn’t chafe
- Smells nice
- Highly adjustable
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Difficult to adjust
- Wearing it under clothes is hard
I’d recommend wearing your brace over clothes whenever possible – it’s more comfortable and makes the brace easier to clean.
TRUWEO Posture Corrector For Men And WomenLight and Breezy
There’s a lot to like about this brace, first of all, the way it’s made. It’s light yet sturdy, and it’s rather comfortable to wear – no chafing or irritation anywhere. The material is soft and pleasant, yet breathable.
It’s also quite discreet, and you can easily wear clothes over it, and it won’t show too much.
You can put it on or take it off by yourself – it’s rather easy, and the instructions that come with it are completely clear. You’ll probably get it right on the first go.
It’s a shame that the straps are not that well-made. Adjusting them can be difficult, and they don’t seem to stay in place properly, so the brace is likely to come loose and move around.
Another problem is that it has a strong chemical smell to it that can’t be easily washed out and takes weeks to go away. So, while it is comfortable for your skin, your nose will take a hit.
- Light and rather comfortable
- Putting on or taking it off is easy
- Sturdily made
- Doesn’t show under clothes
- Difficult to adjust and keep in place
- Has a bad chemical smell
You might be tempted to improvise to try and ‘fix’ a back brace that doesn’t fit right – don’t do it. It won’t do its job properly, and you might even aggravate an injury that it’s supposed to help you with.
NSPIRATEK Posture Corrector for Women & MenA Good Brace with Great Extras
As far as upper back braces go, this is quite a standard one, but it has a few extras that elevate it a bit. It comes with underarm pads which come in handy since the brace can chafe quite a bit under your arms and armpits.
It also comes with a good-quality exercise band which gives it a bit more value. That’s not the say the brace itself is bad or anything – it works well and is sturdily made. The metal connectors are a nice touch and make it slightly more durable than if they were plastic.
It’s also easy to put on, and it won’t poke out from under your clothes which is definitely a plus.
The cost is a bit high though, which makes it difficult to recommend. I’d say it’s worth it, but that’s just my opinion.
- Easy to put on
- Comes with underarm pads and an exercise band
- Reinforced with metal connectors
- Discreet when worn under clothes
- Chafes a bit under the arms
- Costs a lot
Don’t buy a bad back brace just for the extra things you get with it – buy a brace if it works well for you and let the extras be just that and nothing more.
Copper Compression Recovery Back BracePedal to the Metal
This is an interesting lumbar brace that is infused with copper – which effectively means that it’s made from a special type of nylon that has copper fibers in it.
Is that a gimmick? Well, of course, it is, but it also happens to work. This brace offers a tremendous amount of support, and it’s highly durable, so kudos to making use of that gimmick to make something good.
It’s also quite comfortable and less rigid than you might expect, so it wins out on that front as well.
However, not everything is great. For starters, this brace is not breathable at all, and you’ll be sweating a lot, especially if you use it in the gym for weightlifting. It’s also difficult to wear it under clothes, and it can irritate your bare skin.
There are only two sizes on offer here, and they don’t fit that well – there are certainly people out there for who the small size will be too small and the large size will be too large. It’s a shame a medium size doesn’t exist.
So, it has some ups and downs. The amount of support might be worth all the downsides though. On the plus side, you can always get a full refund if you don’t like it.
- Durably made
- Offers a lot of support
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- You can get a full refund
- There are only two sizes, and they don’t fit well
- Quite stuffy and might irritate the skin
Always be on the lookout for what the brace you’re buying is made out of. The advertising can be misleading, so you need to look at the details and figure out what is the truth before buying it.
HYRIXDIRECT Posture Corrector for Women & MenAn Affordable Strongman
If you’re in the market for a highly affordable upper back brace and posture corrector, this is one to look out for.
The price is just a steal, and anyone can afford it without problems. Despite that, the materials used to make it are good, and they won’t chafe or irritate your skin. The stitching is also well-done, so it won’t fall apart on you anytime soon.
You also won’t need another person to help you put it on – it’s quite easy to do that on your own.
However, it can be difficult to adjust to your liking since the straps don’t seem to move all that well. The size is also suspect – it’s definitely smaller than indicated, and if you’re a tall, heavy person it won’t fit you at all.
- It’s made to last
- More than affordable price
- Doesn’t chafe your skin
- Using it is easy
- It’s a bit smaller than indicated
- Difficult to adjust properly
You do expect posture corrects to be a bit stiff and uncomfortable at first, but if that persists or is just too much, you should find another one. If they’re too small for you, they can do serious damage to your back instead of helping.
Only1MILLION Posture Corrector for Women & MenSoft, Comfortable and Easy to Wear
This is an affordable and well-made brace constructed out of soft materials. It feels comfortable even on bare skin, and you can wear it all day without feeling any chafing or irritation.
You can also wear it under clothes just fine since it’s relatively small and thin and doesn’t show.
Make sure you don’t spill anything on it, though, since washing it can be difficult. The materials are well-made, but they’re also delicate, and it will definitely fall apart if put into the washing machine. Even hand-washing it can be risky.
Besides that, it is durable, and it will take the everyday strain easily, but washing is a sore point.
It’s also a bit on the smaller side, so make sure you order a size up if you’re near the upper limit.
- Made out of extremely soft material
- Inconspicuous below clothes
- Relatively inexpensive
- Well-constructed
- Difficult to wash
- A bit on the smaller side
Washing back braces is never that easy, and you should always try and wash them by hand if you can. Even if the instructions claim they’re machine washable, you can’t always trust that.
4well Posture Corrector for Women Not Just for the Ladies
This is a well-padded upper back brace made out of soft materials that won’t make your skin feel itchy. It definitely provides more than enough comfort while still remaining rigid enough.
It’s also rather light, and the material is fairly breathable so you won’t be sweating under it all the time.
Putting it on is as simple as one-two-three, and you won’t have a problem getting the hang of it.
While this is a women’s model, or it’s marketed as such, it can easily be worn by men. You just need to order one size larger than you would otherwise and it will be fine.
Still, even with that said it can be a bit too constrictive. If you have asthma or other breathing issues you might not want to use it.
It’s also not as durable as it should be and the padding starts to fall out after a few months of use or so, especially if you use it for intensive activities.
- Lightweight and fairly breathable
- Good padding makes it comfortable
- Easy to use
- Not an exclusively female mode
- Can be a bit too tight
- The padding falls out after a while
If a back brace or posture corrector is marketed as being only for one gender, it can usually be worn by both without too much of a problem. If you’re a woman ordering a male model, order a size down, or order a size up if it’s the opposite.
AidBrace Back Brace Support Belt The Rigid Support You Need
This is a highly supportive lower back brace that doesn’t cost too much and easily covers your entire lower back.
The great support it provides can be attributed to the plastic splints in the brace that cover the entire width of it. It’s particularly wide as well, making it great for larger and taller people since it will definitely cover their entire lower back and provide you with proper support.
It’s not too heavy though and it’s made out of relatively breathable material despite the plastic inside it.
The reason for the relatively low price becomes apparent after a while when the stitches come undone. This will make the brace less supportive, and it will make the plastic splints come out, poking you in the back and breaking after a while. It’s definitely not a brace suited for intense activities.
- Has plastic splints for extra support
- Breathable and lightweight
- Can fit heavier people as well
- Easy to wear under clothes
- Affordable
- The stitching is poor
- The plastic is low-quality and breaks after a while
Plastic or metal splint can provide added support, but they can also be a hindrance if you need to be flexible while using your brace or you don’t want too much weight on you during the day.
BERLIN & Daughter – Posture Corrector – Breathable Clavicle Chest Back Support BraceUnique and Beautiful
This brace has quite a nice, streamlined design that makes it look sleek while also being functional and highly comfortable. There are no heavy and unnecessary buckles, but adjusting is still rather easy.
It does poke out a bit from under your clothes, but since it looks nice, it’s not too much of a problem.
The support it provides is good, but you need to be aware of the fact that it does run a bit large, which the manufacturer also points out. Order a size down if you’re a woman, but for men, it should fit right as it is, even though it’s designed for the female body.
The price also runs a bit high, and it’s questionable if it’s worth it. It is supportive and durable but other braces can also offer that while being cheaper. The design is the largest selling point.
- Comfortable, unique design
- Made out of tough materials
- Easy to adjust
- Runs large
- The price is high
Unique designs can go either way and be either exceptionally good or tremendously bad. Sometimes, the good old proven design is the best way to go.
ComfyMed Premium Quality Back Brace CM-102MAdjustable and Comfortable
This is a relatively lightweight lumbar brace that offers quite a good bit of support regardless. It doesn’t have rigid splints or anything like that, but the materials used still offer more than enough support.
The removable lumbar pad is a nice touch – it provides additional support while making the brace more comfortable at the same time. If you don’t like it, you can easily remove it, and there’s no problem!
It’s highly adjustable too, allowing you to tighten it to your liking and it can fit a wide variety of body types.
However, this brace is definitely not built for athletic activity, and you’re going to have some problems with it if you try to use it that way. It feels stuffy, and you’ll sweat a lot, not to mention that the metal rings on it can easily hit something, causing the Velcro to come off.
If you’re going to just use it at home or in the office, it should be fine though.
- Lightweight for a lower back brace
- Has a removable lumbar pad
- Highly adjustable
- Not breathable enough
- It can come off if you’re moving around too much
While flexible braces are usually marketed as being made for sports and similar activities, they’re not all good for that so don’t just buy them sight unseen thinking they will do the job.
ComfyMed® Breathable Mesh Back Brace CM-SB01The Most Breathable Brace Around
ComfyMed has been making some good back braces, but they all have their issues – this product is focused on fixing one of them, the lack of breathability.
This lower back brace is certainly well-ventilated, and you shouldn’t have a lot of problem wearing it in hot weather.
Another great thing about it is that it’s easily washable both by hand and in the washing machine. It’s designed for athletic use and use in hotter weather, so this is a given. If sweat or dirt gets on it, you can easily wash it off.
There’s a bit of a problem with the sizing, especially if you’re in the 35-40-inch category when it comes to your waist. The smaller size will probably be too small while the larger one will be too large. Luckily, you can return it within 12 months of purchase
The stitching is also strange – it holds up well, but the way it’s positioned can definitely irritate your skin, especially if you are sitting down.
- More breathable than most
- Easy to wash
- You get a 12-month warranty
- Good-quality stitching
- Only two sizes that don’t fit well
- It can irritate your skin
There’s definitely a trade-off between comfort and support. A brace that is flexible and breathable probably won’t offer as much support as a stuffier brace. You can’t get the best of both worlds.
Vriksasana Posture Discreet Posture Corrector for Men and WomenWide and Supportive
What we have here is a tough upper back brace that will fit well under any type of clothes and works well to support your back and straighten your shoulders. Despite how it looks it provides a great deal of support, and it seems to fit well overall. It’s also decently adjustable, and it can fit both men and women.
Due to the large pad of fabric on the back that’s not breathable at all, expect to be sweating a lot under this brace. You’re probably going to have a hard time if you want to use it for sports.
Overall, this is one of the best EMS units out there for athletes, and I’d highly recommend it if you want to use EMS for that purpose.
Also, it can be a bit constrictive if you’re a larger person so watch out for that too. It’s decent for the price, but you need to make sure it fits well before you commit to buying it.
- Fits under clothes easily
- Made to be sturdy
- Easy to adjust
- Comfortable overall
- The material is not breathable at all
- Can be a bit constrictive if you’re larger
Most back braces are made for the average person – or what the manufacturer considers to be an average person. If you have an unusual body shape or you’re buying a brace made in a different country take extra steps to make sure you’re getting the right size.
What You Should Know About Buying a Back Brace – My Comprehensive Buying Guide
You’ve probably never bought anything like a back brace, so it’s understandable that you don’t know how to find a good one. Here are a few tips that should help you out.
1Different Back Brace Types – Their Ups and Downs
Back braces used to be simple, but these days they come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of them are good, but others not so much and each type has some upsides and downsides.
I won’t go over all the various types that exist out there since that would be too long – I’ll just cover some of the most common ones. Here we go!
Belt-style Braces
These are mostly flexible braces that are placed around the waist and hips. They look like thick belts and offer the best support for your lower back, thus alleviating lower back pain. If you’re having trouble with your back giving out when you’re lifting heavy things, these are the braces that make the job easier.
Corset-style Braces
If you’ve ever seen a corset you have a good idea of how these braces look. They cover most of your waist up to the ribcage or even above it and extend up to the shoulder blades on the back. They’re meant to support your spine and a large part of your back. If you happen to have trouble standing or walking straight, these braces will do good by you.
Upper Back and Shoulder Braces
These braces are usually on the smaller side and cover your upper back and lower back of the neck. Their straps usually go over your chest, under your armpits, and over your shoulders. They’re designed to help support your upper back and to straighten your shoulders and spine, thus correcting your posture.
Full-back Braces
These braces look almost like a combination of all of the above. They cover almost the whole back, from the hips up to the neck. They involve straps going over your stomach and your shoulders. They offer support for your entire back and are great for fixing your posture since they encompass everything. They can feel a bit difficult to wear though and are almost like an extra layer of clothing.
Rigid and Semi-rigid Braces
Most of the other types I talked about here are usually flexible braces intended for more active people. However, when heavy support is needed, usually after a major injury or surgery, rigid braces are used.
These braces will mostly be prescribed, and you’ll have to wear them until your doctor decides it’s time to take them off. They’re usually made out of canvas or cotton with plastic panels or/and metal bars.
They will severely limit your movement in order to prevent further injury, and they will provide unparalleled support.
Semi-rigid braces are usually flexible braces with some of the added support of rigid braces, usually achieved by using metal wiring or plastic pads inserted into the fabric.
Rigid braces are mostly custom-made, by prescription and are rarely sold as consumer products. Semi-rigid braces can be found sold in regular stores but are not as common as flexible braces.
2Finding the Correct Size
While most back braces are made out of slightly elastic materials so they can stretch a little bit, it’s important to get the size as right as possible in order to ensure that you’ve got the best support available.
After all, if a back brace is too loose, it won’t support you at all and if it’s too tight wearing it for long periods is going to become a pain in itself.
However, finding the right size can be difficult. After all, you probably don’t know the exact measurements of every part of your body, and that’s all you can go off when purchasing a back brace. There are also many different types, and their sizes can refer to different body parts, and it can all get confusing.
Here’s the deal
the first thing you have to do is measure all your relevant body parts.
Doing that is simple – you only need some measuring tape and a pair of helping hands in a few cases.
For starters, you will need your three basic measurements – the circumference of your chest, your waist and your hips. You can do this on your own, but it’s easier to get the correct measurements if you have someone to do it for you.
For your chest, take the measurement along your nipple line, nice and easy.
For your waist, the tape should line up somewhere between your rib cage and bellybutton – bend over to the left and the right and see where your body bends, that should be your waist.
When it comes to hip measurements, try to wrap the tape around the fullest part of your waist and buttocks. This should be around 7 to 9 inches below your waist.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit trickier. You’ll need to measure the width of your shoulders. Doing this on your own is possible but difficult, it’s better to have someone help you.
There are only a few measurements left to do. One is your neck, which should be easy – just wrap the tape around your neck like a choker.
The last two are the circumference of your arms at the shoulder and at the biceps. For the first one wrap the tape under your armpit and around your shoulder. For the last one, flex your arm to bulge your biceps and wrap the tape around the thickest part.
With that you should have all the relevant measurements – all that’s left is to compare them to the sizes given by the manufacturer of the back brace you want to buy. Also, don’t forget to check the user reviews to see if the fit is off from those numbers.
3Materials Matter
The materials that a back brace is made of affect how it will perform – how stretchy it will be, how comfortable and supportive if it will cause you to sweat or itch, maybe trigger certain allergies and so on.
Back braces can be made out of many different materials, but here are some of the most common ones and how they tend to perform.
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Cotton
Braces made out of cotton are usually quite flexible and include a blend of other materials as well; they’re not 100% cotton. They can offer quite a bit of support while remaining comfortable and breathable. As a bonus, they’re easy to wash. However, they might not last too long.
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Foam
Elastic and rubber foam are also popular materials, especially since they can be both highly supportive and elastic at the same time, conforming to the shape of the wearer’s body like nothing else. The issue is that these materials are not breathable at all and wearing them in hot weather can be difficult. In addition to that, they’re a bit harder to wash and can easily fall apart.
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Nylon
Nylon is a bit more durable than cotton and more flexible, but that usually comes at the expense of being far stuffier. You’ll most likely be sweating underneath one of these braces. It’s rare that braces are made fully out of nylon either, though – they usually feature a cotton/nylon blend.
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Rubber
A bit of rubber is used in most back braces one way or another, but there are also back braces made almost completely out of rubber. Needless to say, they’re not breathable at all but are among the most elastic ones out there.
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Metal
Braces are never made completely out of metal, but some do use metal wiring, splints or plates in order to improve their supportiveness. The most common metals used for this include steel, copper, and aluminum. They’re usually semi-rigid braces with flexible bases made out of cotton or other fabric. They can be rather heavy and uncomfortable, especially if the metal starts sticking out.
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Plastic
Most rigid braces are made out of plastic, and they’re molded to suit the person that’s wearing it in order to ensure that it offers the best support. These braces are most often used to limit the movement of the spine after injury or surgery.
4Can You Try it Out?
This is the ultimate test for a back brace
putting it on and spending some time with it. Sometimes it might seem like you chose the best back brace available in theory, but it turns out there’s some problem with it when you put it on. It can be frustrating, especially if it was expensive.
However, getting to try a back brace at all, let alone for a few days, is not something that’s usually available.
Luckily there are back braces that allow for full refunds within a limited time – usually somewhere between a week and a month from purchase. Those deals are great since they essentially provide you with a trial period, allowing you to try out the brace.
Back braces that you can pay in installments are also a good choice. Usually, if you return them, you don’t have to pay the full price for the brace, just an extra installment on top of what you paid. It still sets you back but as much as a full purchase does.
Making use of a warranty is also something you can do. If a back brace has a good, lengthy warranty that covers a wide variety of issues, you can use that to return it for a full refund if it doesn’t suit you. Always read all the details about potential warranties before making your purchase.
What Can You Use a Back Brace For?
Back braces are mostly thought of as tools for improving your posture or helping with your poor back. However, they have more uses than you might realize and they’re quite underappreciated in my opinion.
I’m going to right that wrong and tell you about some surprising and not-so-surprising uses for back braces.
Bodybuilding
not so surprising but some of you may not know about it. Bodybuilders usually use back braces to help them lift heavy loads that would otherwise break or injure their back.
If you’ve ever watched a strongman competition, you’ve probably seen that everyone has a back brace of some sort on them. These are sometimes referred to as weight-lifting belts, but in essence, they are lower-back braces.
Helping You Sleep Better
yes, this is surprising since it’s not exactly recommended that you wear a back brace when you’re sleeping. Still, in some cases, it can be useful. For example, if you’re forced to sleep in a sitting position due to a condition you have or recent surgery, a back brace can help you maintain a comfortable position.
Even if you’re sleeping lying down a back brace can help stop you from rolling over into positions that hurt your back and stop you from sleeping. Just make sure that your brace is one you can use in this way.
Correcting Sitting Posture
which is a bit more surprising since most people think about back braces as something you wear while standing up. They’re known as tools for improving your walking posture, but they’re less known for helping improve your sitting posture.
If you’re slouched in front of the computer all day and you feel tension in your back and shoulders because of it, a back brace might be helpful.
How to Improve Your Back Posture – With or Without a Back Brace
Just wearing a back brace is not enough to fix your posture – you have to do some work yourself. If you help the back brace do its job by simply adhering to a few rules while wearing it, you’re going to see much more progress in a shorter time. You should also maintain good habits even when you’re not wearing your back brace since this will also help improve your progress. Here’s how to help your back brace improve your posture.
1Exercise regularly
As I mentioned, the back brace simply won’t do the entire job for you – and regular exercise is the largest part of your job.
While any exercise will be helpful, there are certain exercises that are the best at fixing certain kinds of posture problems that you might have, and it’s good to know them. That way you can be laser-focused on fixing the exact problem you have.
Research has shown that such exercises won’t only improve your posture but might also reduce the pain you’re feeling at the same time.
Even walking regularly while maintaining proper posture can do wonders and definitely helps more than just sitting around. However, there are also exercises that you can do while sitting down, like neck exercises.
2Try to maintain a good posture
This is another crucial thing to do. While a back brace will help you with correcting your posture, bad habits will undo all of that work as soon as you take it off. You should work to improve those habits which will complement the work that your brace is doing.
This includes not only fixing the way you carry yourself while you walk or when you’re sitting down at work. You should also try to fix your posture while sleeping if you can. I’ll give you a few quick tips on how to start.
When you’re walking try to:
- Put your weight onto the balls of your feet
- Keep your feet at shoulder-width
- Tuck in your stomach
- Keep your earlobes in line with your shoulders
- Make sure your knees remain slightly bent
- Relax your shoulders and let your arms hang naturally
While sitting:
- Keep your ankles in front of your knees and avoid crossing your legs
- Don’t place your knees above the level of your hips
- Keep your shoulders relaxed
- Your spine should be at a 90-degree angle with your thighs
- Leave a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of the seat
- Change positions often
- Stand up from time to time and do some small exercises
When lying down or sleeping:
- Sleep on your back or your side instead of your stomach
- Always turn your whole body at once
- Use a supportive pillow
- Place a pillow between your legs if sleeping on your side
- Place a pillow below your knees if sleeping on the back
- Sleep on a comfortable mattress that’s not worn out
That should help you improve your posture even without a back brace, but it will prove even more effective with one.
3Avoid wearing bad shoes and clothes
Back braces don’t gel well with certain types of clothes or shoes. While that might put a damper on your style, it’s a good idea to change your habits for the sake of your health.
For example, corsets are a big no-no if you’re trying to improve your posture or wearing a back brace. They seem to work similarly to back braces, but they’re not designed to offer proper support and might even cause your bad posture.
Similarly, constantly wearing high heels or ill-fitting shoes can ruin your posture. Try to avoid that if you have posture problems and when you’re wearing a back brace. Wear comfortable shoes that keep you low to the ground and help maintain your natural posture.
4Make regular doctor visits
This is something you should do regardless, but it’s always worth mentioning. It’s especially important if you recently had an injury or a surgical procedure. You shouldn’t just stop going for regular check-ups because you think it’s all fine now – let the doctor decide that since they can notice things you just can’t.
Don’t take medication of your own volition and don’t engage in treatments that might seem beneficial on the surface but could also be harmful. Consult with your doctor regularly, see what kind of progress you’re making and try to stick to the doctor’s recommendations as close as you can. It will do you a world of good.
Back Brace FAQ
The Final Word
All of the back braces I chose to review here are good for one reason or another, but I do have a favorite out of all these.
The best back brace, in my opinion, is the ComfyMed Premium Quality Back Brace CM-102M because it’s just so adjustable and it has everything you need in a back brace, despite the downsides.
However, there are other great ones here as well – if you’re a bodybuilder watch out for the Copper Compression Recovery Back Brace and if you’re on a budget you should take a look at the Back Support Brace for Women and Men by BRANFIT.
That’s all for today – come back next time!
References
- Nhs.uk (2016) Common posture mistakes and fixes [Online] Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/common-posture-mistakes-and-fixes/ (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Acatoday.org (2018) Maintaining Good Posture [Online] Available from: https://acatoday.org/content/posture-power-how-to-correct-your-body-alignment (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Nejati P, Lotfian S, Moezy A, Nejati M (2015) The study of correlation between forward head posture and neck pain in Iranian office workers [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26182924 (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- harvard.edu (2018) Why good posture matters [Online] Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-good-posture-matters (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- DeokJu K, MiLim C, YunHee P, and YeongAe Y (2015) Effect of an exercise program for posture correction on musculoskeletal pain [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499985/ (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Elizabethe Holland Durando (2013) Study confirms benefit of back braces in treating scoliosis [Online] Available from: https://source.wustl.edu/2013/11/study-confirms-benefit-of-back-braces-in-treating-scoliosis/ (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Richard MR, Shawn S (2011) Prospective Study of a Lumbar Back Brace In an Interventional Pain Practice [Online] Available from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/21c4/ea861d3c299b5befb4727d1512123960a18b.pdf (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- David CM, Jacek C, Walter FP, Sarah L, Gretchen S Stephanie M (2014) A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL COMPARING EXTENSIBLE AND INEXTENSIBLE LUMBOSACRAL ORTHOSES AND STANDARD CARE ALONE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOWER BACK PAIN [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4521401/ (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Paul Ingraham (2004) Does Posture Correction Matter [Online] Available from: https://www.painscience.com/articles/posture.php (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Richard MR, Shawn S (2011) Prospective Study of a Lumbar Back Brace In an Interventional Pain Practice [Online] Available from: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/bracing/prospective-study-lumbar-back-brace-interventional-pain-practice (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
- Csapo R, Maganaris CN, Seynnes OR, Narici MV (2010) On muscle, tendon and high heels [Online] Available from: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/15/2582.long (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
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- Guimond S, Massrieh W. (2012) Intricate correlation between body posture, personality trait and incidence of body pain: a cross-referential study report [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356261/ (Accessed Feb 17, 2021)
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