In the modern world, a fairly large number of people suffer from pain in the back. To cope with the problem, medical companies are developing various medicines in the form of ointments, gels, tablets and special devices. The lumbar brace was included in the number of such funds.
Indications and contraindications for wearing
The lumbar corset is indicated for use in the presence of serious lower back diseases, due to which a person feels severe pain and constant discomfort. Similar conditions can develop in the following cases:
- recovery and post-traumatic stage;
- sciatica and acute pathology of the lower back;
- mild fractures of the transverse and spinous vertebral processes;
- prevention of diseases of the back and spine of people with an inactive lifestyle or those who constantly have strong back loads;
- the formation of hernias on the spine;
- osteochondrosis, osteoporosis and spondylosis.
There are practically no contraindications for wearing a lumbar corset. An exception is a pulling corset, which must be worn with extreme caution.
The only time when it is forbidden to wear a bandage is the presence of infections in the active stage on the skin.
Variety of bandages, taking into account the scope
Taking into account the injured area and indications for use, several varieties of lumbar bandages are distinguished. If you divide the corsets according to what they are chosen for, then we can call such varieties:
- Cervical.
- Supportive lumbar.
- Lumbo-thoracic.
- Lumbosacral bandage.
Types of corsets in terms of stiffness
Given the degree of stiffness of the product, the following types of bandages are distinguished:
- With reinforced stiffeners. Helps reduce the load on the spine, strengthens the muscles of the back, relieves spasms. It is prescribed for use in the presence of complex forms of pathologies.
- Elastic soft product. It is used more for cosmetic than for therapeutic purposes, visually corrects the figure.
- Semi-rigid lumbar corset. Reduces the pain that occurs in the back, strengthens the spine and muscles. The bandage is convenient in that during its wearing a fairly good mobility of the body is maintained. Used for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Advantages and disadvantages of corsets with reinforced stiffeners
This kind of lumbar brace is characterized by the presence of a number of advantages:
- low level of deformation;
- ease during movement;
- due to the presence of ribs, it is possible to adjust the size individually for each patient;
- manufacture of high quality materials;
- small size and high degree of relief, which provides a comfortable wear.
As for the disadvantages of the product, they can be as follows:
- specific care (washing is done manually without spinning, drying is done naturally);
- an occasional allergic reaction to the materials from which corsets are made.
Great for complex treatment of vertebral hernia. In this case, the product does not act as the main panacea, it is able to get rid of the main symptoms and reduce the rate of development of pathology. Hernia treatment is possible only through surgery and medication.
In case of fractures or other injuries of the lumbar spine, such a bandage is used for a long time. It acts as a plaster cast, fixing the vertebrae.
Characteristic features of elastic corsets
The elastic bandage is made of latex or any other material with similar properties. Thanks to such corsets, not only is the back fixed in the required position. There is a significant number of other advantages compared to hard products:
- the possibility of washing in a typewriter;
- the presence of breathable material;
- reduced risk of atrophy of muscle fibers;
- allowed to apply during exercise;
- due to its lightness and convenience, the product is allowed to be used every day.
The use of such a corset is effective during recovery after exacerbation of various pathologies. With a hernia, fractures and in the postoperative phase, the product will not give any result.
Types of bandages according to the principle of action
Given the principle of the impact of the lumbar brace on the spine, several types are distinguished:
- prophylactic - is used for 2-3 hours a day to relieve the spine and prevent the development of its diseases;
- medical - used to treat already existing pathologies or in the recovery period after getting rid of them;
- immobilizing - used by patients with complex spinal injuries.
Lumbar Corset Functions
This type of medical product is multifunctional. Before you get an answer to the question of how to put on a bandage, you need to note the tasks that it performs:
- restores muscle tone and trains weakened muscles;
- fixes the position of internal organs in case of their omission;
- prevents the formation of hernias;
- relieves stress during gestation;
- limits excessive mobility of the injured area;
- provides a warming and massage effect.
Features of the selection of a bandage for the lower back
It is strictly forbidden to independently choose a bandage for the lumbar spine. This should be done only after a detailed acquaintance with the recommendations of the doctor, who, before advising a particular product, takes into account such factors:
- degree of the course of the disease: for chronic pathologies, the use of rigid models is recommended, and for preventive purposes, athletes or people performing physical work (movers), a semi-rigid option is sufficient;
- activity and age group of the patient;
- therapeutic or prophylactic goals.
And these are only the most important criteria that a doctor considers before recommending a bandage.
If the option of a corset is already selected, then at the time of ordering it is required to indicate the waist and lower back girth of the patient. If the product is clearly sized, it will not cause discomfort.
One more fact must be taken into account. Fixing orthopedic bandages for the lower back are characterized by the presence of different sizes. In some situations, you even have to order a corset individually. In such products, as a rule, additional stiffening ribs are present, which allow regulating the pressure and taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's spine.
If a person regularly encounters physical exertion, then the manufacturers of bandages recommend their consumers a special model with suspenders. Its convenience lies in the fact that the corset can be unfastened without completely removing it. When the need arises, the corset can again be locked in its original position.
Proper wearing
To prevent possible harm to the body with a corset, you need to understand how to wear a bandage so that it performs its functions.
Depending on the type of product, the rules for wearing it may vary slightly, however, highlight a number of requirements that are identical for all products:
- During the day, the corset can be worn for no more than 6 hours. Leaving the bandage overnight is strictly prohibited, since this can provoke skin diseases and loss of muscle tone, as a result of which they will not be able to hold the spine.
- It is required to control that the bandage does not strongly pull the lower back, but also is not in a free state. In the first case, the corset will harm the body, and in the second it will have absolutely no effect.
Putting on a bandage
How to put on a bandage, the doctor should tell the patient before the first use of the product. But if the doctor did not explain this, then you need to follow a number of simple rules:
- the bandage should be worn only in a horizontal position;
- it is advisable to put the product on a T-shirt, so you can prevent the formation of diaper rash and extend the life of the corset
- It is strictly forbidden to tighten the bandage strongly: if discomfort is felt in the navel area and the pulse is felt, then it is required to loosen the clamps;
- over the entire body area, the corset should fit equally.
If the patient understands how to wear the bandage, he is guaranteed a positive effect. The main thing is to abandon the idea of choosing an adaptation on your own, because with the wrong choice the corset will not give a therapeutic effect, but rather worsen the condition.