Back Brace Helpful?

[JEVE19]

I was wondering how many people have tried a back brace?
I have a degenerated L5 that is really starting to flare up again.
An older lady I work with has a similiar condition and her doctor has
her wear a back brace all the time. My doctor has never mentioned this
to me. I'm wondering if I should order one or not.
Anyone find that it helps or doesn't help?
I have such inflammation and pain that I'm worried it will make it feel worse.

I found this brace that is supposed to be good for the L5 area:

http://www.reliefmart.com/supportbelt.htm

It's $97 which I'm willing to pay if it will help.

Anyone tried this or have any info about it?

[JJames]

Hello Vicki,
I first purchased and tried a back brace last April 2009, almost a year now, and have used it almost daily ever since. It offered me additional relief and support which I am otherwise unable to find. I posted on this site at that time, and did receive some feedback similar to what you likely will. There are concerns related to muscle atrophy associated with prolonged wearing of these braces in addition to other concerns which I was informed of. Nonetheless, my "life" has become more of a struggle to survive each day so I continue to wear the brace.
Jeff

[JEVE19]

I'm surprised by this post.

So many people are talking about pain and pain management.
The brace is supposed to help this and no one is trying it?

I'm willing to try it because I went one time to get pain management
shots at the end of my spine. I will NEVER do that again!
That was extremely painful and worse yet, it did nothing to help me.

I guess I will be the guinea pig and give it a try.

As far as the muscle thing goes...I had two pregnancies and that
muscle support has been gone for a long long time

Everyone is different, in my case the brace might actually give support
for the stomach muscle that hasn't been there in years.

[2cool4U]

Guys, the problem with the concept of a brace is that it promotes weakening of the muscles necessary to support the low back. With decreased muscle strength eventually comes more pain, and it becomes a negative cycle. The brace may relieve symptoms for a short time, but then as the muscles weaken, more support is needed to prevent pain. You may end up with more pain generators in addition to the disc as things worsen.

In the end, long-term use of a brace can worsen things considerably and can make recovery even harder to achieve. Jeff, you indicate that your situation has worsened, so you continue to use the brace. Vickie, you mention weakened core muscles from prior pregnancies. Perhaps both situations could be improved with core strengthening? Vickie, your comment about "this brace is supposed to help," according to who? The marketer of the product? Beware, there are many, many products out there for back pain patients that have little or no proof of results but claim to be beneficial.

Unfortunately, when it comes to back pain, there is usually not a quick, easy solution. I guess that's why we're all on here, huh . If others disagree or have had good results with a brace, please chime in.

-tc-

[Jack]

tc has it right. Plus the brace in question you linked to looks like it would put more pressure on the butt where sciatic nerve runs. Many a man came into our clinic and had has back pain cured by taking a thick wallet out of his back pocket. This brace looks like it could put pressure on these areas.

Call up the vendor and ask them about this.

[JEVE19]

This is why I came here to post a question before purchasing a brace.
As I had mentioned, my doctor never recommended a brace for me.
The lady I work with wears one 24/7 but she is also in her 70's.
Don't know if that matters.

Now that someone responded with info, I will not purchase the brace.
What I was looking for was info as to if it's good or bad.

Thank you for posting the information that you did.
It makes sense to me and I will not purchase the brace now.

I understand what you meant about "who said it's supposed to help".
I was skeptical in the first place because the brace is being pushed by
a chiropractor. I lost my trust for the chiropractor years ago and anytime
I see something recommended by them, it's usually something that makes them
money. A brace, vitamins, etc... I call them milk men.
Everyone I've been to wants to milk you for all the money they can get.
I've been to several over the years and I often wonder if all those adjustments
I received when I was younger have led to my situation now.
Who knows? Too late now. Damage is done.

Thank you for posting the info, that's what I was looking for.
I won't get a brace. I go on March 16th to see my back doctor and I will
discuss options with him.

My hubby has saved enough money for me to go to Germany and get the surgery if I want to. Now that it's an option, I find myself very scared of making a decision.
So far, I have not had great luck when it comes to choosing a doctor.
I have such distrust now, it's hard to put my faith in a doctor.

I've been trying to read through posts here to see how people are doing with their surgeries. I will keep reading and do my homework before making any decisions.

Thank you for the website and everyone for sharing their information and experiences.

[Harrison]

Vicky,

Can you us a little bit more about your arthritis? Where is it, what kind? It may or many disqualify you from ADR surgery. Also, if you are qualified, there are many places in the states can reliably perform single and multi-level surgery.

I'd am also curious (concerned?) about the other issues in your spine. Pls elaborate when you can.

Thx!

[JEVE19]

I haven't had an MRI in 5 years. My insurance is just now removing the ryder that wouldn't allow me to have anything covered that involved my back.
The state told them that after two years, they had to cover my back.
Since it's March, I can now go and get MRI's and things done.
My appointment is on March 16th. The last time I went to the doctor's in 2005,
I was told that I was a candidate for a disk replacement. I had the test done to make sure
that I didn't have facet damage and I didn't.
It's funny because at that time, I had Aetna. They denied it of course.
Now, I see on this forum that people have gotten them to approve their adr?
Since that time, Aetna tried to get rid of me because they raised my monthly
rate from $2,400 to $3,600. We had group insurance through my hubbies business.
We had two people on that plan. My hubby and me! My hubby has zero health issues.
My family doctor told me this is what they do when they are trying to get rid of you.
I had to switch to UHC and this time we did individual insurance. Because of that, I had pre-existings and they wouldn't cover my back.
Now I can go and get new MRI's done and see where I stand.

I will let you know before I make any decisions to see what you all think first.