For the treatment of diseases of the spine, medications and exercises alone are not always enough. Sometimes it becomes necessary to facilitate therapy, and sometimes to prevent the development of pathology. To this end, the doctor recommends that the patient wear a corset for the spine. How to choose a product? What to look for in order to choose the most effective from a variety of models?
The use of corset
There are many questions for people who are recommended to wear a corset for the spine. How to choose a product? How appropriate is it to wear?
In the presence of intervertebral hernias, the corset provides several functions:
- Latching. The product supports the spine in the correct position. Thus, it prevents possible damage. Indeed, a person very often, if he is not bothered by pain, forgets about the need to be careful. He is able to perform dangerous movements that exacerbate the disease. It is a corset that protects soft and bone tissues from damage.
- Unloading. The product relieves part of the load from the paravertebral muscles. As a result of this, muscle tension decreases, and innervation and blood supply in damaged areas are restored. In addition, cramping relieves pain. Without a corset, only the strongest analgesics, muscle relaxants, and novocaine blockade can cope with this function.
- Pulling. A correctly selected orthopedic belt copes with such a function perfectly. And with such a pathology as a hernia, even a slight increase in the distance between the vertebrae brings significant relief. The patient's edema of the damaged area decreases, pressure on the discs decreases, and a slowdown of degenerative changes is noted.
- Massage and warming. Corset allows you to save heat in a painful area. As a result of this, normal heat transfer is established in the body. In addition, the product performs a massage function. The belt is able to activate microcirculation in the discs. Thus, it restores proper nutrition and prevents dystrophic processes.
Can the product be harmful?
With hernias of the spine, orthopedic corsets are very often prescribed . After surgery, the use of such products is justified. But sometimes, some doctors question their effectiveness. Therefore, before considering (for those people who are assigned a corset for the spine) how to choose the appropriate product, we will touch on such a sensitive topic. Is an orthopedic belt harmful to the body?
Some doctors believe that wearing a corset in the future leads to a weakening of skeletal muscles. As a result, when removing such a belt, the muscles will not be able to maintain body weight. Consequently, the patient will continue to have cartilage degeneration, and new hernias will form.
Such a statement is not without common sense. However, the low self-discipline of people should be considered. If the patient is able to do special gymnastics daily, perform all medical procedures, monitor compliance with rest and labor, of course, he will not need a corset. But, unfortunately, there are only a few such people.
The bulk, only having felt that the pain syndrome has receded, ceases to use medications, exercise, go for massage. People are returning to their usual way of life. But it was he who led them to the hospital bed. As a result, after several months, they become aggravated.
The only salvation for these patients is wearing an orthopedic corset. After all, it is he who is able to protect them from the consequences of improper movements and heavy loads.
Key recommendations
Now, when it becomes clear all the appropriateness of wearing this product, the patient is faced with a fairly pressing issue. The pharmacological market introduced a wide variety of corsets for the spine. How to choose? Photos show a wide range of products.
Initially, it should be understood that with a hernia, an orthopedic corset will have a beneficial effect only when the model is correctly selected. But, unfortunately, it is possible to evaluate the benefit only after a couple of months.
Therefore, it is imperative to listen to the most important recommendation for those people who are shown corsets for the spine. How to choose the right model, only a specialist can say. It is highly discouraged to trust your knowledge or intuition. Since each model performs the corresponding functions.
Types of corsets by spine
Depending on the area in which the pathology is diagnosed, the following types of corsets can be assigned:
- Cervical. It is most often prescribed for recovery processes after surgery or vertebral injuries. After fixing the damaged area, pain is significantly reduced. It is recommended to select a model that performs prophylactic and therapeutic functions. The corset itself is a bandage system, which consists of soft tissue. The device provides protective and supportive functions. It is such a product that will protect the neck from uncomfortable postures and sharp turns of the head.
- Lumbar corset. Since this region of the spine has a maximum load, such a belt is an indispensable medical and preventive product. It enhances the effect of conservative therapy and stimulates the recovery process after surgery. So, this particular corset for the spine is assigned to you. How to choose a product? Here it is necessary to take into account the form of the pathology and its stage. The orthopedic girdle for this area must necessarily have rigid cross or longitudinal metal or plastic inserts.
- Products for the thoracic region. Such a corset resembles a vest fastened under the chest. Its effect is aimed at strengthening this particular area. The chest is fixed with elastic material and metal or plastic splints. Such a product is often prescribed in case of posture distortion. This prevents the process of intervertebral protrusion. Patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis may also be given this corset. It eliminates the progression of the disease, the occurrence of irreversible changes.
Products according to the stage of pathology changes
It is important to consider the disease and the severity of the disease, choosing orthopedic corsets for the spine.
The following classification will tell you how to choose the right model:
- Compensating belt. It is advisable to apply for small deviations in the posture of a person. Wearing this corset is only necessary a few hours a day. As a rule, it is recommended to wear it in case of physical exertion in order to reduce pressure on the spinal column and protect the vertebrae from further deformation.
- Medical elastic corset. This is a tight flexible model that is able to correct the resulting deformations by pressure on the damaged area. Most often, this design is recommended in case of subluxation. It is advised to be worn by patients with moderate deformity.
- Immobilizing, or traction, belt. This corset is used in case of serious spinal disorders. The design of the model affects not only the damaged area, but also the entire pillar. The device is prescribed in the case of a compression fracture or in other severe pathologies.
Types of rigidity of models
This is another important classification by which corsets for the spine are divided. How to choose the necessary degree of rigidity? Here you need to again take into account the features of pathology.
The patient may be assigned:
- Tight corset. It is recommended to wear it only in case of serious spinal disorders. It is this model that is prescribed after fractures. It should be understood that this corset can be worn only at the insistence of the doctor, since it holds the back muscles too much.
- Semi-rigid belt. It eliminates the heavy loads of the spine. In addition, it has a warming effect. Such models are prescribed to get rid of pain syndromes with intervertebral hernia, radiculitis and some other diseases.
- Padded corset. It provides restoration of normal blood circulation. A warming effect is inherent in it, since inside it is most often covered with dog or camel hair. The corset allows you to get rid of pain, reduce tension during muscle spasms. It is also prescribed in case of radiculitis, intervertebral hernia. However, this model does not remove the load from the spine, therefore, it is not able to correct the deformation.
Product Size
This is a fairly important characteristic that must be taken into account when acquiring a corset for the spine. How to choose a model size?
For this purpose, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the waist, hips, lower back and chest on inspiration. The obtained indicators are your volume. Keep in mind that each manufacturer may vary slightly in size. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the product.
How to choose a corset for the spine by size? Read the packaging carefully. The key is presented on it. The letter image corresponds to the volume.
But it is best to take the help of a specialist.
Product Tips
Now summarize how to choose a corset for the spine with a hernia:
- When choosing the type of product, be sure to consult a doctor. Since it is he who will recommend a model that allows you to most effectively cope with the problem and not harm the patient's health.
- Choose the right size. It ranges from XXS to XXL. Depending on the type of corset, you need to measure your volumes.
- Give preference to belts made of natural materials with cotton inserts designed for delicate areas.
- Corsets containing metal and plastic elements should not provoke pain, discomfort or unnaturally squeeze the skin.
- Choose a belt only in specialized stores, pharmacies of medical equipment and technology.
- It is better to purchase models of well-known manufacturers that have positively proven themselves in this segment.
Models for children
In case of violation of posture, deformation of the spine or with severe pain in the back, children can be assigned corsets for the spine. How to choose the right model for the child? It is very important to consult a doctor on this issue.
He can prescribe the following types of children's corsets:
- Elastic waistband. It is advisable to apply in the case of the initial stages of scoliosis or for the prevention of this disease. This is a soft, elastic bandage without hard inserts. It perfectly helps to improve posture, stimulates blood circulation.
- Hard type. The model relieves the spine of a heavy load. Such a corset has sewn-in plates that help to maintain the correct position of the spine.
- Individual belt. It is made strictly to the size of the child. It must be adjusted periodically. The appointment of such a corset is advisable in case of displacement of the vertebrae or fracture.
Conclusion
Do not forget that it is only a specialist who can determine the correct therapy, the type of corset and the duration of its use. Therefore, do not resort to self-medication. In some cases, this only exacerbates the problem.