Anybody Use A Back Brace?

[Sarg]

My back has gotten to the point the pain is driving me batty. Do back braces really work? Is there a particular one that works best. I see where Medicare has approved one type a DDS 500. Anybody with any experience using this? I tried PT but it just worked for a short time. Any help appreciated.

Sarg

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Well Sarg, I got 3 of them. One is a Mueller (Ref B67117) goes around lower back, hooks with Velcro in the front. I do have a beer belly and that does not help. I can use this one about an hour or so. The next one is a CLC (XL) it has shoulder straps and Velcro in the front, somewhat better than the first one, but not by much. The 3rd one has no name on it and has shoulder straps and Velcro in the front not worth a shit.
I bought them from Lowe's and Home Depot, the daughter gave me the last one she got from WalMart when she worked there.

Maybe a good idea to talk with a physical therapist on this. I think the ones I have are more for working on the job and adding some support.....I do not use them much at all....

If you find something good, please post it.....

J R

 

[OldDoorGunner]

I just looked up the DDS 500, man that makes all the ones I have JUNK!!!! Not sure how the DDS 500 would work with a beer belly, that's where I have trouble.....

J R

 

[JarHed]

Hey Sarg

Sorry to hear about your back. I don't know anything about back braces, but I do know something about back pain and other problems as well. I mention it because I go to an Acupuncturist on a regular basis. It's the only thing that's helped me. I can't take nasiads or anti-inflammatories because they adversely affect my kidneys. Other pain meds just knock me out so it's not a help if I have stuff to do, which is always. It's just a suggestion as it's non-invasive and the treatment only takes a short time.

What ever you do I hope you find some help for your problem.

Jar

 

[Wagon]

Hey Sarge.

Is it muscular or spinal? I can mirror Jar that acupuncture can work some wonders. Helped with the muscles in my back.

There is also acupressure and foot therapy. These may help more if your problem is spinal. You'd be amazed at what the pressure points on your foot can conjure up and cure.

After taking meds for the first time recently I can honestly say the natural way is the only way for myself. Lasted 5 days. Wanted to kill the world and myself. Zoloft = Death.

I'll take a look at my witch doctor resources and see if there are some oils or herbs you can use as well. Braces can be a fun killer depending on type.

Wagon.

 

[Spock]

Back pain & headaches are my reality too Sarg. I really try manipulation and save Ibuprofen as last resort for bad tension headaches. I rely on massage: have a chair, go to therapy, have a Theracane, use the heating pad for shoulders and just got a Teeter inversion table yesterday. I'll let you know how that goes. I really want to do yoga. They stuck me with a pressure point pin at Walter Reed and it helped. My big goal now is to rem3mber to correct posture, so I was curious about a back brace as well. With phone and computers there is too much head down strain going back.

Doc told me to get one of these & I like it:
http://www.theracane.com/

Inversion Table:
https://www.teetertv.com/

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Sarg,

Good advise above. Find out if it's muscles or a spinal problem. If the doc. approves of you doing excecise, try yoga, the low impact type. It's great in the morning and evening, and does more than relieve back pain. My Vet Center uses it as part of their therapy process.

SD

 

[Sarg]

Thanks for the answers, guys! O.K., it degenerative arthritis, and I would imagine that all that walking and sitting in a truck hunched over a set of plans, caused a "wedge" buildup around the outer edges. I would also imagine I have at least compressed disks if not very damaged. I called my Drs. office and asked that I be referred to a back specialist and get some damn x-rays to find out exactly what's going on.

As to the inversion table, Mr. Smartass here found one on sale. Screaming deal. Bought it, brought it home, got it totally assembled and ready to go when I remembered my aneurism! Haven't talked to my vascular surgeon yet, but pretty sure I won't be able to use it. Duh! Well, I'll stick it out in the garage and use it after they stent me.

Jar, I may have to go for acupuncture if I can't get results the other ways. But damn, I hate needles.

JR, got a beer gut too and don't know how that might work, but the video showed the back of the brace really extend, which is exactly what we need.

O.K., great answers, guys, I have a lot of reading to do. Thanks,

Sarg

 

[reddevil1111]

My back went out about 15 years ago after a fall on ice. I spent 15 days in a hospital. Tried traction, hydrotherapy, massage, and everything else the doctors could think of. Nothing helped.
The solution to get me discharged from the hospital was a brace. It was heavy canvas and steel bars. It went around me like a corset and was as tight as a corset as well.
I was then able to get around and with crutches I became mobile.
Then I was sent home. Alone.
Suddenly it became very clear that I would not be able to wear the brace, it tied up from the back and required help to do so. I was f*cked.
That led to me first suicide attempt and a long bout with a very deep depression.

With that said I have had back issues from then on. I have disc degenerative disease, compressed discs from rough parachuting landings, 2 herniated discs and I am overweight as well. My back sucks.

I talked to several ortho's about braces. I got some good answers. What I learned:

You back muscles will do moderate healing with a brace and it can help you to regain mobility and reduce pain. That is all true.

The kick in the pants is the dependency you will gain on the brace as your muscles will quickly not support you like they currently do. It can cause a lot more pain to go without the brace within even a few months of use. You will become dependent on the brace and it wont be easy to get off its use.

So are they a benefit? That depends on how much you need one and if your willing to wear one full time any time you move around. I would get one and try it for a few days and get a better idea of what it helps you with. Then try to go back to no brace and reevaluate your needs. It can help but it can also be a boat anchor.

I hope things calm down and you feel better soon Sarg. I feel the pain.

 

[JarHed]

Jar, I may have to go for acupuncture if I can't get results the other ways. But damn, I hate needles.

Hey Sarg

I do know how you feel about that as I feel the same. It's not like getting blood drawn or a shot for something. There is a split second of sensation but it's not pain like the others. All I can say is that is works for me and it's why I suggest it. Hope what ever way you go it brings you the relief that you're looking for.

Jar

 

[Sarg]

Thank, Red. Points well taken. What I'm thinking is to get a brace that will see me through til' I have my stent put in and then start exercises on the inversion table with my Drs. O.K. I have looked at the table and think I can rig it to just hold my pelvic girdle and from there up be in tension. The PT guy was able to do this on a horizontal table and it took all the pressure off my spine and I felt like 16 again.

But a lot of this is if, if if...my primary Doc has been on an extended vacation and won't have appointments open until late June.

Thanks, Jar, appreciate it!

Sarg