Nowadays, many people suffer from diseases of the spine. The causes of such pathologies are physical inactivity, overweight, poor posture. In mild cases, such ailments can be cured with medical corsetry. This helps to avoid drug therapy and prolonged physiotherapy. What is a corset? And how to choose it? We will consider these issues in the article.
Product purpose
What is a corset? In everyday life, this word means lower women's clothing that covers the upper body and stomach. It fits snugly to the body and gives the figure a slender outline.
However, corsetry is currently used in medicine. These orthopedic appliances can be worn by people of any gender and age. Otherwise, such products are called bandages. They are used exclusively for medicinal purposes.
Why do I need a corset? Medical bandages perform the following functions:
- fix the back with injuries;
- return the spine to the correct position;
- improve posture;
- reduce the load on the muscles.
Orthopedic corsets can be made of various materials: dense textiles, leather, polymers. Most often, they have an adjustment (Velcro or straps) that allow you to adjust the bandage according to the figure.
There are many indications for wearing medical corsets. These are inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spine, trauma, impaired posture, as well as the postoperative period.
Bandages are contraindicated only for severe internal pathologies. In this case, diseased organs cannot be subjected to pressure. For example, a chest bandage can not be worn with heart pathologies. You also need to pay attention to the state of the epidermis at the site of exposure of the corset. Such products can only be worn on healthy skin.
Product Classification
Medical corsets for adults and children are divided into several types (as intended):
- fixing;
- corrective;
- reducing the load on the back.
Bandages are also classified by stiffness. The following product groups can be distinguished:
- Soft. Such products are made of dense material. These corsets gently support the spinal column. Most often they are worn for preventive purposes, to prevent spinal curvature.
- Semi-rigid. These corsets are used in medicine most often. They support the spine well and do not interfere with movements.
- Tough. Bandages of this type are worn for severe diseases of the spine, as well as after injuries and operations. They can only be worn for a few hours. Wearing tight corsets is possible only as prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon. They are used in the early period of rehabilitation.
In addition, there are corsets for various parts of the spine: thoracic, cervical, lumbar and sacral.
Next, we will consider the types and purpose of different types of bandages.
For fixing
What is a corset for fixation? This orthopedic product holds in motion that part of the spinal column that has been damaged. This allows you to fix the affected area and reduce the load on it.
These products have hard inserts. Such corsets are worn after injuries, with vertebral hernias, and also after operations. They fix the discs of the vertebrae and prevent them from moving. It is necessary to carefully observe the bandage prescribed by the doctor. Too tight fixation of the back can contribute to the weakening and atrophy of the muscles.
Usually, such a model of a corset covers not only the damaged area, but also the adjacent areas of the spine. For example, with injuries of the cervical spine, the corset looks like a vest with a headband.
With curvature of the spine
What is a posture correction corset? This type of brace holds the spine in the correct position. It helps to eliminate existing curvatures. These orthopedic products are worn for the following diseases:
- kyphosis;
- lordosis;
- scoliosis.
Photo corset for posture can be seen below.
This method of treatment of curvature of the spine has its pros and cons. Posture bandages help keep your back in a straight position without much effort. But at the same time, it is important to remember that a long stay in the corset greatly relaxes the muscles. Therefore, during the use of the bandage, one should not forget about physical activity. To completely get rid of scoliosis, you need to regularly do therapeutic exercises and monitor your posture.
For the lower back and sacrum
Lumbosacral corsets are recommended to be worn during heavy physical exertion. These products are shown to people who engage in power sports or spend a lot of time driving a car. These bandages are designed to reduce the load on the muscles of the back and spine. Products of this type are made from semi-rigid materials.
Doctors also recommend using such bandages for pathologies of the lumbar region: radiculitis, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias. This helps protect the affected area from excessive stress and reduce pain.
A photo of the lumbosacral corset can be seen below.
It is important to remember that such a corset is not recommended for patients with kidney disease. It creates pressure on the internal organs and can provoke an exacerbation of pain.
For pregnant
What is a pregnant corset? During the period of gestation, the spine of a woman is subjected to a heavy load. Often this leads to back pain. To avoid discomfort, doctors recommend that patients wear a special corset, which will help reduce muscle tension.
Most often during pregnancy, wearing a corset bandage for the lower back is indicated. It is this part of the back that is most exposed to overloads. Such an orthopedic device is recommended to be used in the second and third trimester. The corset has the following therapeutic effects:
- reduces the load on the spinal column;
- reduces overstretching of the skin of the abdomen and muscles;
- prevents uterine hypertonicity;
- serves as a means of preventing complications in multiple pregnancy.
In addition, in women using a corset, the skin and abdominal muscles recover faster after childbirth. This avoids the appearance of unaesthetic stretch marks on the body.
Children's bandages
A corset for children should well support the spine and muscles, and also contribute to the development of proper posture. In this case, one should not choose an overly rigid product. After all, the child’s muscles are still being formed. The bandage trains muscle memory, in the future, children get used to independently keep their back in a straight position.
When choosing a children's corset, you must be guided by the following recommendations of orthopedic surgeons:
- Do not select a bandage marked "universal". Such products are not intended for children.
- You need to very accurately select the corset in size. The product should fit snugly to the body, but not squeeze the tissue.
- Before purchasing a corset, you need to make sure that the child is not allergic to the product materials.
In no case should you buy a bandage for growth. If the size of the product is not chosen correctly, then wearing such a corset will not bring benefits, and may even exacerbate postural disorders.
How to wear a product
How to use a corset? The time and mode of wearing it is strictly individual and selected by the doctor. In order for the treatment to benefit, the following recommendations of orthopedists must be observed:
- A corset is worn in the morning when the muscles are still relaxed after sleep.
- The wearing time of the product may not exceed 6 hours. If the doctor has prescribed a longer stay in the bandage, then you need to take breaks.
- You can’t go to bed in a corset.
- It is better to wear a bandage not on a naked body, but on thin linen made from natural fabrics.
It is important to remember that spinal diseases are treated with a corset only at an early stage. It is impossible to get rid of advanced forms of pathology with just one bandage. In this case, wearing corsetry should be only part of a comprehensive therapy.