Back pain can be debilitating, so using a back brace to prevent it is key to staying active and healthy. According to James Lin, MD, a spine surgeon at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York, a back brace works by stabilizing your spine and limiting motion. He emphasizes that back braces are not a cure-all and, in some cases, will not help back issues. However, they can effectively decrease back pain and prevent spinal deformity progression in certain scenarios. When searching for a back brace, consider a few key factors. Look for a washable material that allows you to keep your brace clean so you can wear it regularly. Additionally, consider the sizing and adjustability of your back brace to ensure you're getting a brace that fits your body exactly the way you need it to. To help you find the brace that's right for you, we researched dozens of back braces and evaluated them for adjustability, material, price, body part target, and sizing. An assistant professor of orthopedics from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in a back brace, as well as who should wear one and for how long. Our Top Picks Best for Lower Back Pain: Best for Sciatica: Best for Herniated Discs: Best for Scoliosis: Best With Extended Size Range: FREETOO Back Brace for Lower Back Pain Relief at Amazon ($37) In This Article Our Picks What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Pros Adjustable Trains upper back muscles Comes in 4 sizes Cons May be less effective for people with longer torsos We chose this FlexGuard back brace because it combines elements of a posture corrector to help align your spine. With four different sizes to choose from and adjustable straps around your waist and upper back, you can get the fit just right for your needs. The upper shoulder straps—which fit just like the straps on a backpack—work to pull your shoulders back for better posture while your lower back is supported with the help of metal braces and a lumbar pad. We also love that it's made with a lightweight, breathable fabric, so you can wear it throughout the day without overheating. Those with longer torsos may find this brace rides up throughout the day. Double check the sizing chart to ensure you're getting the right fit. Material: Neoprene | Part of Back It Targets: Upper back | Machine Washable: No Pros Budget-friendly Reduces pressure on discs in lower spine Supports heavy lifting Cons Limits mobility Velcro may snag fabric There are a lot of pricey back braces on the market, but if you’re looking for something a little simpler (and more budget-friendly) to help give your lower back extra support when heavy lifting on the job or at the gym, the Mueller Lumbar Support Back Brace is a good choice. This back brace wraps completely around your waist, supporting your lower back and abdomen fully. This back brace is made with breathable materials and is fully adjustable to give your lower back extra support and compression for all-day use. It also comes with a removable lumbar pad. This belt runs a bit small. If you're in between sizes, we recommend sizing up. Material: Polyester, rubber, nylon | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back | Machine Washable: Yes Pros Stimulates blood circulation Customized support Cons Not very durable This back brace offers additional lumbar support to your lower back and comes with dual Velcro straps—one on both sides of the body—to get the compression fit just right. The NeoMedinaTech back brace aims to give you back support, pain relief, and even posture correction. The belt is very wide compared to many other back braces to cover a larger range of your lower back region. It’s available in medium, large, x-large, and 2x-large sizes, so you can buy the best one that matches your body. While this belt does a great job of reducing back pain and proving support, it's not particularly durable and may tear sooner than you hope. If you need something that will last you for the long haul, try another option on this list. Material: Neoprene, nylon, elastic cotton | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back | Machine Washable: Yes Pros Tightens with pulley system for custom support Fabric is removable and washable Corrects misalignment Cons Limits mobility May not fit those with short torsos Some back braces spread across the back and lower spine with a solid piece of material, hard plastic or metal—which can put pressure on the spine and sciatic nerves in a way that some people might find uncomfortable. However, this back brace is designed to separate the spine to reduce pinching and pressure. Using a pulley system—similar to lace-up shoelaces—the interweaving design can be pulled and tightened at both sides of your body to support your back without applying pressure to the spine. By limiting contact with the spine, this brace may also help treat related leg pain like sciatica. Likewise, this belt is ideal for those suffering from spinal stenosis. Those who are between sizes may find the gap in sizing is too large. While the manufacturer recommends sizing up if you're between sizes, it's important to find a brace that fits you comfortably and snuggly. Material: Polyester | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back | Machine Washable: Yes Pros Helps relieve discomfort from a herniated disc Adjustable Breathable mesh material Cons Metal supports can break through material Chemical smell upon unboxing The spine comprises a series of vertebrae bones separated by jelly-like discs that sit between each vertebra. These discs allow you to bend and stretch without the vertebrae making contact or scraping. However, as we age or do strenuous work with our spines, those discs can become smaller or more fragile, meaning they can get pinched or even rupture. This condition is called a herniated disc, and it can be very painful. The Sparthos Breathable Back Brace may be able to help lower the risk of a herniated disc. This back brace is designed to be breathable and features a removable lumbar pad to help give your spine a little extra support. In addition, it also has rigid internal supports to help keep the belt from rolling or losing its tight fit around your midsection. It may have a strong chemical smell upon unboxing. However, this smell should go away over time. Material: Breathable polyester mesh with metal supports | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back | Machine Washable: Yes Pros Breathable and flexible materials Easy to put on and remove Cons Expensive Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that measures greater than 10 degrees with an x-ray. Some people have one curve or a "C" shape, while others have two curves or an "S" shape. Additionally, some of the bones may be rotated slightly. Neo G’s Dorsolumbar Support Brace encourages correct alignment of the thoracic and lumbar spine to relieve scoliosis pain. Orthopedists developed this brace to stay flexibly in place and gently keep your spine properly aligned to relieve pain in your discs and reduce muscle strains and spasms. It not only wraps around your waist but runs up your back, across your shoulders, and secures under your arms. The breathable design and wide array of sizes make it perfect for children or adults. This brace is triple the price of some other options on our list. If you don't struggle with scoliosis or you need a more budget-friendly option, you may want to opt for a different option on this list. Material: Neoprene and carbon steel| Part of Back It Targets: Lower back | Machine Washable: No Pros Redistributes pressure across lumbar area Relieves pressure on hips and pelvis Adjustable Cons Specifically for use during pregnancy Material can feel itchy Lower back pain is one of the most common issues you’ll run into when you’re expecting. Treatments like physical therapy during pregnancy can help alleviate discomfort, but for basic support during your daily routine, you’ll want a brace like NeoTech Care’s Pregnancy Support Band. Available in five different sizes (small through 2XL), there is very likely one that will fit your growing body. Made with breathable fabric, this belt can offer support below the belly and help spread weight more evenly across your back and lumbar area. This may also help lessen some of the pressure on your hips and pelvis. This belt is designed for both sitting and standing, so it can be worn throughout the day and adapts to your routine. Make sure to measure yourself carefully because the size of the belt that you need doesn’t always correlate with your pant size. Material: Multilayered laminate with an elastic lining | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back/pregnant belly support | Machine Washable: No Pros Wide range of sizes Adjustable, breathable fabric Affordable Cons Aluminum rods may be uncomfortable to some If you’re looking for a back brace that can give you additional support across a longer portion of your lower back, then this Freetoo back brace might be just what you’re looking for. First, it’s available in five sizes, from small through 2XL, so it accommodates various sizes. In addition to the many different sizes, the brace is also supported by four aluminum stays and two steel springs that can offer strong support across a larger area of your back. These six support stays can help the brace hold its shape, and the breathable mesh design offers extra breathability to make it as comfortable as possible. If your torso is on the shorter side, the rods may dig into your ribs and become uncomfortable after long periods of time. Material: Aluminum supports with mesh fabric and elastic Velcro straps | Part of Back It Targets: Lower back and sciatica support | Machine Washable: No Kevin Lees, DC, manager of auditing and quality at The Joint Chiropractic, notes that there are many different braces for different back issues. For example, those who want to correct their posture should opt for braces that pull the shoulders back to avoid rounding. Pregnant people can find the support they need with specially designed braces that cradle their stomach while relieving some of the tension in their lower back. Before you make your purchase, pay attention to which part of the spine your brace is targeting. He adds that you should keep in mind the result you want from the brace. While rigid braces will provide more stability, flexible braces provide compression and allow for movements in different directions. Most back braces use materials like polyester, neoprene, or a mesh fabric to give the user flexibility and breathability while still offering support. Keep in mind, however, that many are secured with Velcro, which can be itchy and irritating to some. Karena Wu, an orthopedic physical therapist and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy, mentions that more rigid braces also use metal struts or rigid stabilizers. If you're looking for stronger support rather than flexibility, opt for braces with these materials. Wearing a brace under your clothes all day can result in sweat and dirt buildup. Dr. Wu recommends washing your brace weekly and hand-washing and line drying delicate braces. You will want to wash or spot-clean your brace as needed, but you should avoid excessive cleaning to avoid prematurely wearing it down. Most importantly, if you plan to wear your brace often, invest in a machine-washable brace. How long should you wear a back brace? Dr. Lin explains that short-term braces can be worn for a few weeks to a couple of months. Most doctors recommend wearing a brace for a maximum of a few hours per day. Any longer and your muscles may weaken and rely too much on the brace, creating a new problem. Do back braces work for correcting posture? Yes, when sized properly and worn correctly, back braces do work and correct posture. In fact, research on athletes showed a significant posture improvement after wearing back braces, per the Journal of Athletic Training. However, Dr. Lees warns that posture correctors should be worn only in short increments as prolonged use won't lead to permanent changes. Should you wear a back brace to bed? Most soft braces are made to wear during waking hours. Similarly, posture correctors help improve upper back and shoulder alignment while sitting, standing, and walking. Neither type of back brace helps while sleeping and could cause more discomfort. However, your doctor may prescribe rigid back braces for extended and overnight wear for conditions like scoliosis. As an experienced health writer,Steven Roweknows how to truly evaluate a project and tell the difference between marketing claims and real facts so that you can find the best products that work and make your day better. He has experience covering health tech and researching the best treatment options and resources available for the people who need them. Additional reporting to this story by Jennifer Nied As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-best-back-braces-4582908-0d569951198d4bcb832e83874d15f2a5.jpg "These Editor-Approved Back Braces Can Relieve Back Pain and Improve Your Posture (1)")
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Sparthos Lower Back Belt
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2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Scoliosis Research Society. Definitions and causes.
Cole AK, McGrath ML, Harrington SE, Padua DA, Rucinski TJ, Prentice WE. Scapular bracing and alteration of posture and muscle activity in overhead athletes with poor posture.J Athl Train. 2013;48(1):12-24. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-48.1.13
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By Steven Rowe
Steven Rowe is a New York-based health journalist. His work has also been published by Healthline, Psych Central, Greatist, Romper, Inverse, and Bustle, among others.
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